#SummerGirl

  “We have a pile of dead bodies, not to mention the missing Rogue members,” Matt booms. “If you all would rather sit here and gossip then there’s the door. I have innocent lives to save.”

  Everyone instantly quiets and focuses on Matt. I feel my own shame burn my cheeks for letting Bentley get to me. Ashamed, I try to pry my fingers from Silas’ grip, but he only tightens his hand around mine, giving me a small tug until I’m pressed against his side, not giving a fuck.

  “Kai,” Matt directs his attention to the other brooding Midwest boy in the room, “bring up Erika. She’s called four times already.”

  “Sure thing,” Kai answers and spins his chair to face the screen. A dial tone sounds in the room before Erika’s face fills up the screen. Right away I notice her appearance, which is always impeccably put-together, even at odd hours of the early morning that I’ve seen her, is anything but. Her hair is thrown up in a messy bun, and she’s wearing only a black tank top rather than her usual suit jacket. Her cheeks are flushed and her hands are moving a mile a minute while she shuffles through papers. Someone must make her aware of our call because when she looks at the screen, instant relief flashes before her eyes narrow.

  “What the hell took so long, Matt?” she snaps. “I’ve been calling for over an hour.”

  “We just got things situated up here with the bodies,” Matt explains. “We called as soon as we had everyone safe.”

  “What bodies?” Erika asks, her hands letting the papers fall to the table.

  “The attack,” Matt says, and she shakes her head. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “I was calling about the situation here on our end,” Erika responds before looking past the camera. “When did he call?” A voice answers her, but we don’t get to see who the person is. Whatever they say causes Erika to drop her head into her hands, her fingers massaging her temples.

  “What’s going on, Erika?” Matt asks, his hands balling into fists at his side. We all shift closer to the screen.

  “It’s fucking Calvin Torre,” Erika answers, her gaze flashing momentarily to Saylor and Mila. “Sorry. He’s been taken.”

  “What happened?” Jason steps forward, his voice demanding, gaze narrowed.

  “All I got was a message that said she was out. We’re assuming he meant Kelly and that she escaped or was let go. Then we heard from our inside person that Calvin was taken by the DeMuccis. I don’t know if he gave them information or if there was a trade of some kind,” Erika explains.

  My eyes drift to Saylor and Mila who are watching the screen, tears shining in their eyes. Jason steps back, his hands running through his hair.

  “If the DeMuccis took Calvin as payment from the Connellys that would mean they either hope to get information on where their heir is hiding or…” Matt stops, his eyes falling to Saylor and Mila.

  “Or they’ll take his life. An heir for an heir,” Erika finishes.

  “But they could still use The Establishment to try and find their heirs from us,” Ciaran adds, his eyes focused on the ground as if he’s lost in thought.

  “The information you sent regarding the Aimsworth family bought us some time with The Establishment. We were able to have local law enforcement stop one of their shipments coming in from Canada at the border. They will probably go dormant for awhile. I’m still working on who this Red Harding person is,” Erika answers, her cheeks puffing out before she exhales.

  “Well, while you work on that end, we have another issue over here,” Matt tells her, his arms crossing over his chest.

  “Right, the body issue.”

  “Bodies,” Kai answers, a frown tugging his lips.

  “We were attacked,” Matt tells her, his frown deepening. “After finding Julie, we called lockdown for all of Rogue. Ciaran, Silas and Kai went to get supplies we needed from town and were attacked on the way back. They opened fire and we responded.”

  “Hence the bodies,” Erika grunts, shaking her head. “Have they been identified?”

  “Still working on everyone,” Jason replies. “But I know at least two were previous Rogue members and were on the list of the few who could not be contacted.”

  “Shit,” Erika breathes out, her fingers pressing to her temples. “We really need to find out what happened in Toronto and who the leak is and why they want to work with The Establishment.”

  “I reached out to my dad,” Matt answers. “They are looking into their records as well. This could go back decades though.”

  “So they know you’re up there, but Savage Lakes is momentarily safe. What’s the plan moving forward?”

  Matt’s eyes flick to Jason, who nods his head before he looks to Mrs. Saffran, who also tilts her head, her lips thinning. “Now that we know The Establishment is currently neutralized, we can get back and make our next moves. We know the woods here, but we have more ability and ammunition on our own turf.”

  “So we’re leading them back to Savage Lakes?” Ciaran lifts his brow.

  “All those people?” Saylor questions, and I can see where her mind is going. I have no idea exactly what Rogue is capable of from there though, so I stay silent. Silas’ arm tightens around my waist.

  “We can keep a better guard from there than from here. If we stay here, we’re essentially protecting two areas,” Matt explains, his hand cupping his jaw, while he walks through the process out loud. “If we go back now, we can be prepared. We’ll remain in lockdown.”

  “Targets should start check-ins and will be monitored around the clock,” Jason adds, his voice trailing off while he looks to Bentley and Reed. “What do you want to do with our primaries?”

  “We’re safe to travel right now. When we get back, they need to stay at the house,” Matt answers him. I feel Silas’ agitation radiating from his body, while he also fights to control it. He may hate Bentley, but it’s his job to protect him.

  “We’ve got a plan, Erika.” Matt glances at the screen again. Erika stops typing on her laptop and her gaze seems to be studying us all before she nods her head in a clipped manner.

  “I’ll work on Toronto and keep you updated if anything changes with Calvin’s situation. We may have to step in and deal with these families head-on at some point,” she warns. The screen goes black a few seconds later and we’re left with just each other again.

  The silence in the room is deafening, the buzz from the machines echoes off the walls. If we were in New York, I’d be on a lockdown in the Saffran home. Only we’re here in Minnesota, where Rogue is bringing the fight right to their own doorstep.

  “We have four primary targets we need to move first,” Kai starts, his voice heavy with emotion, while his black eyes bounce around the room.

  “Five,” Matt shoots him a look before swinging his gaze to me. My heart stops in my chest. “The minute Raina made us aware of her connection to The Establishment, her priority upgraded. The fact the Nash Aimsworth single-handedly placed her in the care of Rogue and with the Saffrans cemented that. We now have five primary targets we need to transport home.”

  Saylor opens her mouth to speak, but Jason steps in. “You’re still a primary, Saylor. Even though you aren’t Calvin’s blood heir, they may still look for you to hurt your mom.”

  Saylor and Mila share a look, communicating how siblings sometimes do. Her dislike for the outcome is written all over her face, but her absolute trust in Ciaran, Matt and Jason speaks for her. Saylor turns to look at Silas and I watch as shock then as determination crosses his features and he tilts his head in her direction. As if Silas’ approval was the last thing she needed, Saylor finally mutters, “Okay.”

  Matt turns to the Saffrans, both of whom are standing with an arm wrapped around each of their children now, concern etched into their features. “I know this isn’t how you planned to end your vacation.”

  Mrs. Saffran chuckles, her smile never meeting her eyes. “We knew this was a possibility.”

  Mr. Saffran shrugs. “Trying to travel back now would
n’t help anyways. We’ll go with, help however we can, then decide from there.”

  “We’re going back to the cabins then,” Matt announces. “Get packed up and we’ll plan to head back home in the morning.”

  The room is silent while everyone takes in the change of events. I focus entirely on the Saffrans, who are huddled as a family, talking quietly. I should be over there, but part of me doesn’t feel like I belong. Silas squeezes my hand and my eyes jump up to his.

  “You’re with me,” he says, while leading me toward the door. It takes my brain a second to catch up that he means I’m riding with him. My stomach sinks with nerves while I follow him outside and into the chilled night air. I shiver with the breeze while my mind finally adjusts to everything that happened today.

  “Aren’t there still bodies back at the cabin?” I ask quietly, looking all around us in the dark, half-expecting to find someone jumping out at us.

  “They’re gone by now,” Silas murmurs, ushering me into his truck and quickly shutting the door.

  I wait until he rounds to his side and gets in before asking more, “Gone, how?”

  “We have a cleanup crew. This can’t be explained by going to the cops. We called in a crew to help with the disposal, after they gathered information to help figure out their identities,” Silas explains.

  My mouth drops open. “People actually want to work for Rogue as part of the cleanup crew?”

  “I didn’t say they were Rogue,” Silas answers, which again leaves me reeling. I don’t think I want to know.

  We wait until everyone is in a vehicle, and security does a scan of the area before the gate opens and we’re free to go. We’re out first, and the Saffrans go last. The entire way back feels like it takes hours. My heart races. Every shadow is another attacker and every time we pass a car, I worry they’re going to turn around and open fire.

  By the time we get back to the cabins, my hairline is dotted with sweat and my hands are balled into fists in my lap. If Silas notices, he doesn’t say anything. His eyes are moving everywhere, cataloging everything he sees. He is in full Rogue mode: fierce, protective, deadly. He parks his truck facing the road, in case we need to get away fast, before getting out and rounding the truck to get me. I don’t miss the way his body curves around mine, shielding me from eyes and unseen dangers.

  Silas leads us past the front door and heads toward his private cabin. Ciaran calls his name once, but Silas keeps going, pulling out his phone and sending a text message. I have to quicken my pace as he half-pushes me and half-carries me with him. When we get to the door, he punches in the code, then quickly closes and relocks the door. I watch as Silas sweeps the room and bathroom before beckoning me over to the bed. I lift my brow and he laughs.

  “Just sit,” he smirks, “I have to pack my shit.”

  “Mmhm.” I laugh but sit down anyways, watching as he throws his folded clothes from the drawers and shirts on hangers into an army green duffle bag. Eventually, he drops to his knees by his bed and reaches underneath. In a few tugs, a long, rectangular-shaped bin slides out. Inside is every size handgun, shotgun, and rifle with ammunition I could think of.

  “What is that?” I ask, pointing to the rolled-up canvas, with black handles poking out.

  “Throwing daggers,” Silas answers, and I snort. The look he gives me sends my mind reeling.

  “You seriously use those?”

  His shoulders lift. “They’re actually fun if you know what you’re doing. Plus, they’re easy to conceal. You can get up close to someone and use one of these before they have a chance to run or even know what’s coming.”

  “You’ll be safe, right?” I ask the real question that’s been on my mind all night. I hate that my voice wavers and my eyes sting because, damn, I’m trying to be strong for him.

  Silas gets to his feet and pulls me up with him. The minute our eyes meet he sucks in a breath, and his hands move to cradle my face, something I’m finding he really likes doing. “As long as you’re safe, I won’t worry and if I’m not worried, then I can concentrate. So whatever decisions get made, I need you to stay safe.”

  “I don’t want to leave you.”

  His forehead comes to rest against mine. “You’re killing me, Lux.”

  “You said you were mine and I was yours. When I have to leave Minnesota with the Saffrans, can we make this work for sure?”

  Silas pulls back, his arms sliding around my neck, forcing my body into his. His green eyes are piercing as they stare into mine, and I swear he can see every fear and hope inside my soul. Energy crackles around us. Silas is the storm and I’m firmly set in his path. “I have shit for examples about what love and relationships are about, Lux. My parents didn’t even like each other and they got married only so my mom wouldn’t get rid of me. No one thinks I know, but I do. Because while my dad was out, she would hold me close and rock me, telling me this over and over until I believed it was my fault he left and not hers. It took years for her to leave and for him to admit she wasn’t mentally stable. And I still blamed him, Lux. No adults I know have a working, functional relationship. Ciaran’s dad split when he was little and his mom travels for Rogue. Matt raised him and me, the majority of the time. Matt and Erika, who knows what happened there, and Kai’s dad was an abusive asshole who put his mom in the hospital before she finally left.”

  “Si,” I suck in a shuddering breath, my hands coming to rest on the heated skin of his forearms. My fingers dig in, gripping and hoping I can project all the emotion from my heart into his. My heart breaks for his childhood, realizing, once again, how alike we are.

  “Don’t feel bad for me. I just want you to know that even though I have no idea what love looks like, I do know that I feel it. I didn’t think I would until I saw you on that dock. You are mine, just like we talked about.” Silas’ voice is gravely, the air heating around us.

  I lean until my lips graze his and he moans low in his throat. “Even after the summer?”

  “I’m all in, sweetheart. After summer, for as long as you can put up with me.” Silas leans in and takes my lips with his.

  My arms instantly wind around his neck, my fingers raking through his hair, keeping him close to me. Silas’ back bows as he leans in, his arms banding around my body, holding me just as fiercely. His kiss is as electric as lightning. Our hearts beat as loud as thunder. I can’t get close enough to him. My hands coast down, grabbing the hem of his shirt and lifting it over his head, before taking my own off too, pressing my skin to his. I forget about everyone inside the house, I forget about the danger we’re in and the target that I have become. My mind, my heart, my soul are focused only on Silas.

  I land on my back underneath him on the bed while he gazes down at me, the usual smirk he wears is gone. My eyes dance back and forth, watching Silas’ guard come completely down until all I can see is the need written on his face. Without hesitating, I grab the waistband of his joggers and yank them down far enough that I can stroke his dick, while he groans into my mouth before breaking away to kiss a trail over my jaw, down my neck, and all over my chest while thrusting his hips into my grip.

  “Silas,” I moan his name, right as his lips close around my nipple, where he bites and sucks until my back bows off the bed. I glance down to find Silas watching me, the green of his eyes darkening, his cheeks flush and his jaw hardens. Still holding my gaze, he licks a trail down my belly until he gets to my shorts. I bite back another moan while Silas peels the rest of my clothes off slowly. He begins to lick and suck at me, my hips rising to meet his mouth. My body feels like it’s covered in flames, a restless energy dances under my skin. I need him closer, inside me.

  “Si.” I whimper his name and his gaze flicks to mine. Whatever he sees on my face has him smirking but at least it gets the job done. Silas shifts to his knees and scoots up the bed until he’s leaning against the headboard. I crawl over to him until I’m sitting in his lap. I brace my hands on his chest and lift up, his hands grabbing my hips, positi
oning me, lining me up, before sliding me down slowly on his dick. He watches me, eyes focused on mine. My chest heats and my eyes roll back when he starts to move under me. His hips lift to meet mine, while his hands stay on my waist, moving me up and down until my legs are shaking and we’re both breathing hard.

  “Fuck, yes. Just like that Lux.”

  I can feel my orgasm building, swirling around like a storm, and my movements grow choppy, desperate to reach that point. Silas groans when I tighten around him, my head falling forward to kiss and lick my way up his neck to his jaw. I love the feel of his skin against my lips and the way his eyes shine before they roll back. He thrusts up three more times, his own release chasing mine. My body is completely spent, my mind finally quiet, and I collapse against Silas’ chest. His arms catch me easily, banding around me, before he maneuvers us to the side and throws the comforter over our bodies. By the time I’m breathing regularly, Silas has already managed to discard the condom and get dressed before finding my clothes for me. I put them on, my eyes ready to close on their own. Silas slides back into bed with me, and I’m vaguely aware of the alarm he sets, so we wake up on time.

  “Sleep Lux,” he whispers near my ear, “I got you.”

  Silas

  I do manage to get Lux and myself up in the morning and out of my cabin before Matt and my dad have checked. We sneak into the main house and plop on the couch while we wait for everyone else. Ciaran and Saylor come down the stairs with Mila soon after and Kai is not far behind her. He looks like he barely slept, and his eyes are rimmed red. I’m about to ask him when he turns to me.

  “Just leave it, okay?” He shrugs. “You all were right.”

  “Oaklynn isn’t talking to him,” Ciaran tells me quietly. I feel bad for Kai, but at the same time, we’ve all been warning him.

  “She isn’t talking to anyone,” Saylor adds, her own eyes filling with tears. Mila grabs Saylor’s hand, whispering reassurances to her.

  I’m about to comment when Matt and Jason can be heard arguing as they walk into the kitchen area.