Pieces (Patchwork #1)

by T. Aleo

  “Then why are you doing it?”

  “Because what choice do I have? We do what our families say, Oceanus. You know that most of all.” She pauses, her voice breaking. “And let’s be honest, it isn’t like you are asking me to marry you and want us to run off together. No, not you, Oceanus von Stein, next in line for the Patchwork. You care more about this damn legacy, this family, than me. So don’t make me feel bad for something you would do if the roles were reversed.”

  Oceanus doesn’t even pause; his feet scuff against the ground as he roars, “You’re right, I would do it. But I would make sure to tell you, to apologize for ripping your heart out of your chest and destroying it. I would apologize for not being the man you deserve, for hurting you, and breaking you—”

  “You think I’m not broken? I love you, Osh, so much, and I can’t have you.”

  I hear Oceanus move once more, and Taegan gasps. My eyes widen as Oceanus sounds as if he’s crying. “And I love you, my love, my heart. I hate this, I do.” Tears sting my eyes as silence fills the alley, the only sound I can hear my heart pounding in my ears. “But what—”

  “Run away with me?” she suggests then, so desperate, and this just sucks. Because even I know what Oceanus will say.

  “We can’t, you know that. They’ll find us, and no telling what will happen then.”

  “But maybe they won’t. Maybe we can get away, just us, be happy—”

  “No, Tae. Beautiful, no. We can’t. I’m sorry. I can’t— I can’t risk your life that way. He’d kill you if I ran away with you. He wants my family to stay together forever, and we can’t mix clans, you know that—”

  “Did you care about that when you told me you loved me? No, we threw caution to the wind and love—”

  “And maybe that was a bad idea, my love. I’m sorry, but as much as this hurts, as much as I can’t stand the thought of this dog touching you, there is nothing I can do.”

  Taegan’s voice breaks, a sob leaving her lips. Then it’s muffled as if Oceanus is holding her closer while she cries. I look back at JJ, and he shakes his head, the pain visible on his face. Neither of us wants either of them to hurt. I may not be close with Taegan, but she has always been good to me. And Oceanus loves her, more than I even suspected.

  “I love you, don’t ever forget that,” Oceanus whispers and his voice…it is heart-piercing. When her sobs fill the alley, I can’t take it. Coming off the wall, I run toward the back as my tears stream down my cheeks, off my jaw, and onto my shirt. The wind bites my face as I run, needing the solace of my home. I don’t know why, but I need to be within the walls, where that pain can’t get me. How could he do that? Why does it have to be like that? Why can’t their love be allowed? Just them. I would be fine with it. Anything for Oceanus to be happy.

  Dammit, it isn’t fair.

  When JJ’s arms come around me, I hug him tightly, needing his support. “He will be fine. He’s so strong, my Rebekah, don’t worry.”

  He’s right and I know this, but it still hurts. I nod my head, my voice a whisper. “I hate that, and I know he won’t talk about it.”

  “I know, but I’ll try, okay?”

  I swallow hard, pulling back to wipe my cheeks before looking up into JJ’s face. His brown eyes are swimming in his own tears, and sometimes I hate that I don’t appreciate the pseudofather he has become. He loves us four like we are his, and while he is annoyingly everywhere, I should try to remember he only does it because he cares. I know for sure my father wouldn’t be down here, upset for Oceanus.

  He doesn’t have time for that.

  When the door to the back room opens, I look toward it. Samuel’s gaze roams around the room until it lands on me. “Ah, there you are. Are you okay?”

  Pulling away from JJ, I nod as he clears his throat. “Yes, she’s fine.”

  “Yeah, I’m fine,” I say roughly, running my hands down my face. I have to let this go. No one can know. I won’t betray Oceanus like that. “Sorry, did you need something?”

  “Yes, come in here. I hired a new bartender.”

  My face scrunches up. “For?”

  “Because your father told me to since Alena will need time off for her vacation.”

  Vacation? What the hell? He is such a liar. “Or because he wants my days cut so I’m not out in the open?” I supply, and Samuel shrugs, his lips curving.

  “That too. Come on out here,” he says again, and my blood boils. I knew I couldn’t get off that easily, that no matter what, my father would do everything to keep me under his thumb. I look up to JJ, and he shakes his head. I know there’s nothing I can do. Letting out a long breath of frustration, I start for the door behind Samuel.

  As much as I want to wallow in my pain for my brother and his star-crossed love, I obviously have to fight for my position. Which is bullshit. For one, I don’t want to train a new bartender, and two, I sure as hell don’t want to work with anyone else but Alena. We work great together, and I don’t want someone replacing her—or me, for that matter.

  Livid, I come out after Samuel just as the door slams behind JJ. Before I can even take another breath, Samuel moves to the left, giving me a full view of the new bartender.

  A guy.

  A very good-looking guy.

  Huh, maybe this won’t be so bad.

  “So you’re Aunt Mercy’s son? I don’t remember her having a Killian. Or a son, at that. I haven’t seen her in decades, but surely, I would have known you. That’s odd,” I hear Alena say, but I’m too busy checking the guy out. He’s obviously a vampire—the pale white skin, dark hair, and even darker eyes. He’s big, with wide shoulders, tall, and has a very brooding look on his face. Almost like he’s bored with this conversation with Alena, which is unusual since every vampire who has ever come in here has been completely and utterly obsessed with her. For good reason since she is so gorgeous, but this guy, he couldn’t care less.

  That is, until he looks at me.

  His eyes darken and everything stops.

  What in the world?

  A whole minute passes before he looks back to Alena. “If it makes you feel better, I haven’t heard of you either. So nice to meet you, cousin,” he says, his voice very low. When a dark grin curves his lips, I catch my breath as I take him in. He is hot. In a psycho-killer kind of way, but very hot, and the way he is looking at me is breathtaking. Almost as if he is looking into my soul.

  Clearing his throat, Samuel holds a hand out to me. “This is my darling Rebekah, my niece. She works in the bar too. You’ll work with her,” Samuel says, smiling back at me. “This is Killian leFevre.”

  “What a mouthful,” I joke, and his lips curve even more, his eyes burning into mine.

  “Ah, yes, but so is Rebekah von Stein,” he says, his voice rough and quiet. Almost in a whisper, and while I’m confused by all this, I can’t help but be intrigued by this guy and his sexy French accent. “But then, a beautiful name for a beautiful princess.”

  I scoff. “Please. I’m no princess,” I warn, and his eyes lighten up a bit as he nods.

  “I can tell.” When he throws a wink my way, I hold back my grin as Alena strikes her hips, obviously annoyed.

  “I hate that I can’t pin you,” she says, and I look to her. “I know my family.”

  “You have a massive family, Alena,” I say, since the leFevre family is huge. Clans are all over the US and Europe, so there’d be no way she’d know them all.

  “True, but I feel like I should know him,” she says, bothered, and she looks back at Killian as he smiles in such a boyish yet still scary way. I don’t know how I feel about this guy, but I’m fascinated.

  “I just got to New York, moved here maybe two days ago. Don’t worry, we’ll get to know each other very well,” he says, but that doesn’t seem to impress Alena. Instead, she gives him a look and shakes her head as her lips curl in disgust.

  “Whoa, sicko, we’re family. I’m not sleeping with you.”

  I sputter with laughter. Even
Killian laughs, and as I look over to Alena, she is fighting back her grin as she goes back to work, obviously dismissing us.

  Killian glances at me, his eyes pinning mine, and I feel like I can’t look away. That is, until Samuel claps his hands together, making me jump. “Well, glad we had this talk. You three will work the rest of the week together, and then we’ll make a new schedule.”

  “Fine, but don’t take me off it. I want to work my schedule,” I demand.

  “Now, Rebekah—”

  “No. No now, Rebekah,” I say, mocking him. “Don’t take me off the schedule. I’ll deal with my father.”

  Samuel makes a face and rolls his eyes. “Fine, you deal with your father.”

  “Me too, Sam. Don’t take me off, except when I go to Vegas,” Alena says, and I glare.

  “So you’re leaving?”

  “Just a weekend,” she says, and I look back to Samuel.

  “I could have handled a weekend. No reason to bring someone in.”

  Samuel shrugs, tucking his hands in his pockets. “I slept with his mother once, I owed her a favor,” he says simply, and I have to hold back my laughter.

  My uncle and his vampires.

  His love for that clan always blows my mind. I have never dated a vampire, mostly because being bitten scares the shit out of me. But my uncle, man, he loves them. He doesn’t care what my father thinks, and I find it amusing when they argue over it. Since Uncle is supposed to be a pillar of propriety and all. Instead, he is a pillar of whoring himself around with every bigwig of the vampire clan, which is kind of funny when you think about it.

  “Wow, good to know,” Killian says as Alena’s laughter fills the room.

  “So, get used to him, he’s here to stay,” Samuel adds, but when he goes to turn, JJ clears his throat.

  “He’s had a background check?”

  Samuel glances over his shoulder and looks bored. “No, does he need one?”

  “Yes.”

  “Fine, I’ll do it tomorrow.”

  “See that you do,” JJ warns, his voice sharp, and even I look over at him, stunned.

  What the hell was that about?

  Looking back to Killian, I find him watching me, his dark eyes trailing along my body. A grin pulls at my lips as my heart pounds in my chest. I’m not sure what he’s looking at, but that expression on his face makes me feel like he enjoys what he sees. For some weird reason, that pleases me. It’s a distraction, and I need one after all the crap with Oceanus and Colin.

  When he smiles, his fangs poking out just a bit, I have to admit, I’m attracted to him. I shouldn’t be, but I am, and I blame it all on his eyes.

  Those brown depths are intoxicating.

  But then JJ steps between us, and my gaze rises to his in confusion. “Rebekah, let’s go.”

  My face scrunches up more. “JJ, I’m not done here.”

  “Let the newbie do it. You need your sleep,” he says, but then he comes closer, his voice dropping. “Your father is wanting to check you over early tomorrow.”

  “Damn it,” I groan since I know what that means.

  More testing.

  He’s right; I will need sleep.

  Reluctantly, I glance over at Alena, shaking my head. “I didn’t fill the chest or the cooler, but I’m being told I have to go to bed. I’m sure your cousin can handle it?”

  Alena giggles, her gaze going to JJ. “Aw, does he change your diaper too?”

  I glare, but I know she’s joking. “Shut it.”

  “Yeah, yeah, we’ll get it done. Gives me time to get to know my cousin.”

  I look back to Killian, and he is still watching me. Almost like he’s sizing me up, and I don’t understand why. I liked it better when he was checking me out. When I clear my throat, his eyes shoot back up to mine, and I glare. “Yeah, have fun with that. See you tomorrow.”

  JJ waits for me to pass before walking behind me and then out of the Clandestine. Instead of going out the entrance like a normal person would, we go through the side door that leads back into my home. When the second door shuts and we are in the front room of the house, JJ stops me, his fingers digging into my arm so hard I look up at him, baffled.

  “Ow! What the hell?”

  He doesn’t miss a beat or let go of me as his eyes bore into mine. “I don’t trust that guy.”

  “Huh? Who?”

  “Killian.”

  Still unsure what the hell he’s talking about, or why, I shake my arm out of his grip, rubbing the spot that’s burning with pain. “Jeez, why?”

  “I just don’t.”

  “Do I even want to ask?”

  “No, but stay away from him,” he says, his eyes full of concern but also showing he means business. I’ve haven’t seen him this worked up in a long time. He usually lets me do what I want in the bar, but apparently Killian is off the table.

  “I’m working with him.”

  “You heard me. Don’t find yourself alone with him, do you understand me?” he urges, and my heart kicks up.

  “Why? He’s just some guy. Samuel wouldn’t hire just anyone, JJ. He knows his family.”

  “He’s blinded by his love for that clan, trust me. Something is off.”

  JJ is acting crazy, but I know not to question him, as much as I want to. I know he is probably right, so I nod. “Okay, I’ll be careful.”

  “Good. Let’s get you to bed.”

  “Fine.”

  As we walk through the house, I don’t question him, but a part of me hopes he’s wrong about our new bartender.

  Because I wouldn’t mind getting to know Killian leFevre.

  And those sinful dark eyes.

  When a knock comes at the door the following morning, I groan before rolling to my belly and squeezing my eyes shut as I nuzzle my face into my pillow.

  Go away.

  “Rebekah, love, your father is ready for you.”

  But I’m not ready.

  “It’s gonna be a minute. I haven’t even woken up,” I mutter, but I’m sure JJ can’t hear me.

  “I’m sorry, what?”

  Damn it.

  Going to my elbows, I look toward the door, my hair falling into my face. “I’m not awake, it’s going to be a minute,” I yell a bit louder than I should.

  “Twenty minutes.”

  For shit’s sake.

  Kicking the blankets off, I roll to my back and look at the ceiling, the cold air making the hair on my arms stand to attention. A shiver runs through me before I set my legs down and run my hands over my face, trying to wake up. Getting up is the last thing I want to do right now. Glancing at the clock, I find it’s only ten in the morning, and that’s just rude. I didn’t get to bed until five.

  Blowing out a long breath, I bring my knees to my chest and then cringe at the coarse hair that brushes against my hands and arms as I stretch my back. I really need to shave these things, but they freak me out. Pressing my legs into the bed, I look at the scars at the tops of my thighs, and I see they’re healing great. Which is good since my body is made mostly of scars, and properly healing ones means I don’t look too much like a freak.

  Shaking my head, I wish I didn’t have to go to my father’s lab. I don’t want to; I don’t want to be under a microscope. I just want to lie here. I want to forget about the world. About everything…

  But then another knock comes at the door, and my head falls deeper into the pillows.

  With an exhale, I say, “Yeah?”

  “Are you out of bed?”

  “No.”

  “Get out.”

  “Ugh! Go away,” I cry out like a toddler, and when I’m answered with laughter, I resist the urge to kick him. Closing my eyes, I wish I were anywhere else but here. Where, I don’t know, but just somewhere else. I can’t help but think about what it would be like if Ryland were still here. Would we still be hanging out, tearing up the town? Would my father have let him come into the house and spend time with me since I’m on lockdown? I’ve always wondered
that. Swallowing hard, I roll over and drop my hand beneath my bed, pulling out the box I keep my special things in.

  Leaning over the side, I open it and move through the contents until I find the picture of Ryland and me together. It’s one of the only ones I have. He wasn’t really into pictures, which is unbelievable with how beautiful he was. Looking at him, I’m taken back to the moment when we were standing in the hall at school, his arm around me, holding me in close as they snapped the photo for the yearbook. I remember moving his wayward brown hair out of his eyes and smiling when he flashed me a cheeky grin. He always did that. Those cheeky, beautiful grins, the ones that took up his whole beautiful face and made those brown eyes shine the brightest. Closing my eyes, I hold the picture close to my chest and let out a sigh.

  I miss him.

  But before I can wallow in my yearning for Ryland Kelley, another knock comes at the door.

  “Ugh! I’m coming!” I yell out, letting out a moan. Placing the picture back in the bottom of the box, I push it under the bed and out of sight because I don’t want anyone seeing it. I get out of bed and stretch as I make my way to my bathroom. My body is so tight. Pushing away all my thoughts of Ryland, I decide I need to get into the sparring room more regularly with the boys. They’ve been busy. I’ve been working out on my own mainly, and it sucks.

  But I’ll worry about that later.

  I shower quickly, ignoring the many knocks that come at my door. Since I’m already late, I blow-dry my hair and take my time getting dressed in a pair of sweat pants and a big sweatshirt. Pulling my hair up in a bun, I reach for the door just as JJ is about to knock once more.

  “Really?”

  He gives me a disapproving glance. “It’s been an hour.”

  “Okay?” I say, walking past him. “Maybe you should tell my father I’m unruly and you don’t want to babysit me any longer?”

  He scoffs. “Could you imagine who he’d put with you? You think I’m annoying, just consider the other alternatives.”

  That actually makes me cringe. “JJ, I’m tired.”

  “I understand that, but your father is ready to start.”