by Cindy Pike
“That’s not the same and you fucking know it!” Silas barks out on a growl. Owen slams his fist down on the table demanding everyone’s attention, making me jump at the same time.
“Stop!” He gives me a sheepish look that says he never meant to scare me. I return his look with a soft smile. “We’re not going to fight. We can say how we feel about things and not make anyone else feel less or bad for their feelings.” Owen glowers at Kyle as he goes on, “I for one have no interest in dating anyone else. I will be exclusive to Nora.” He relaxes back into his chair and stabs his fork into a piece of potato.
“I won’t date anyone else either. Nora’s it for me.” Silas punctuates his words by indicating me with his outstretched hand in my direction. “As I was saying before you fucking interrupted me, you dick,” Silas throws at Kyle and gets a warning glance from Owen before he continues, “It’s difficult but I’m willing to try. If things become too difficult for me, I’ll let her know and we can all have another chat about all this. Right now, it’s not the fucking case. She’s mine, but also yours and I’m hers. You had me the moment you wrapped your arms around me at King’s. That’s all I give a fuck about right now. Anyone who doesn’t like it can suck my mother-fucking dick.” Silas wraps up his point of view in a rather Silas fashion that I’d expect no less of. “Who’s fucking next?” Heath clears his throat and my eyes swivel to Heath sitting next to me and he turns in his seat so he facing me directly.
“You are so much more than all of that; I don’t think a single one of us could handle you alone. I’m in, and I won’t be seeing anyone else either. I am done with all the fake women telling me what they think I want to hear instead of just being themselves with me. As far as I can tell, and I’m a pretty good judge, you’ve never been anyone but you with me, Sweetheart.” Heath keeps it short but oh so sweet. I smile at him as he takes my hand in his and turns back to the rest of the table.
“Flynn?” Owen prompts him.
“You know I don’t have any hang ups sharing her, so long as it’s just us five. No other women and no other men. I’ll take whatever you’re willing to give to me, Nora.” With a saucy wink, he goes back to his food.
“I appreciate all of the things you’ve all said.” I hear a snort come from Kyle, “Even what you’ve said Kyle. I want to know how everyone feels and I’m glad that we all know and are sharing, even if it’s begrudgingly for some of us, no puns intended.” I address them all, but mostly Kyle. “I don’t want to force this on anyone. I like that none of you want to see other women and are willing to be exclusive with me, while I’m not exclusive with just one of you. I know that’s extremely hypocritical and I have my own feelings of guilt about it that I have to deal with.”
“Nora, if we all agree there is nothing for you to feel guilty about.” Flynn interjects.
“But we don’t all agree, do we?” Kyle pipes up. “The jealousy eats away at me. What if she starts to like one of us more?” Now we’re getting to the real issue he has with this. Heath, Owen, Flynn, and I bounce knowing looks between us. Silas is too busy trying to kill Kyle with his invisible ice daggers again to be in on the silent look communication happening this time, but I finally get to be on the other side. Thank fuck!
“I don’t know the future, Kyle. What I do know is that right now I want and need you just as much as the others. You mean just as much to me as them, maybe even more, as I’ve known you longer.” I look to the others making sure they don’t take it personally; they all give me looks of understanding. “Can you trust that I’ll be honest with my feelings and if something changes that I’ll speak up about it?” We stare at each other for a long time as Kyle thinks things over. Finally, he lowers his head and with his elbows on the table, he rests his head in his hands, pressing the heels of said hands into his eye sockets.
“I need more time to think about all that’s been said, I won’t ignore you but I need time, Honey.” It’s the first time he’s said my nick name in ages and I take it as a good sign.
“I’ve got all the time in world, Ironman.”
“Alright, let’s move on to life in general for us all.” Owen brings us out of the heavy stuff and we all eat and talk about events in our lives. I can still see some tension in Kyle’s shoulders, but he’s trying and the others don’t do or say anything that’s overly romantic toward me.
Toward the end of the meal an odd noise comes from the direction of the garage. All at once the dogs out back are at the back-door growling and barking like hell hounds themselves.
“Let them in.” Heath demands as Owen and Flynn move toward the garage to investigate the noise. Kyle goes over to the back door and opens it so the dogs can come inside. Heath and Silas stay seated along with me. Cain, Asia, and Loki all rush in and the last two rush to the garage where Owen and Flynn just disappeared. Cain stays close to my side and immediately goes into high alert guard mode.
Kyle slips out the back door and Heath stands and pulls my seat out, helping me to stand. Silas goes toward the garage as we hear shouts and aggressive barking coming from there. I stand and Heath pulls me so my back is pressed tight to his front with one of his arms around my belly holding me there.
“You stay right here with me, Sweetheart, until we know what’s going on.” Heath whispers in my ear. The hairs all over my body are standing on end and I’ve got a ball of anxiety in the pit of my stomach. In the next few moments things are a flurry of the guys rushing around and the dogs all in chaos.
Silas comes back in and grabs the fire extinguisher from its spot in the pantry. Flynn is trying to usher the other two dogs back into the house, into one of the bedrooms. I can hear glass breaking from inside the garage, my anxiety shoots up to the next level and I feel my body start to shake from the adrenaline rushing through it.
“What’s wrong, what happened?” I question Silas before he disappears back into the garage, he doesn’t stop to answer me, I don’t think he even heard me. “Heath?” I try to turn so I can look at him but he keeps a tight hold on me so I can’t.
“I don’t know, Sweetheart. Let’s let them do what they need to take care of whatever it is, then when that’s done, we’ll find out, okay?” His other arm comes around me and he lowers us into one of the dining room chairs.
“Okay, G Man.” I keep my cool as best I can and try not to distract any of them from getting their tasks done.
“Call Detective Daron.” Silas orders as he comes back in and lifts me from Heath’s lap. He leads me out to the garage, Cain is stuck to me like glue, and I see Flynn’s jeep is scorched all to hell along the passenger side. There’s something in the passenger seat, it looks like a body. As I get closer, I see that the fire was concentrated on this side in the seat. The smell is awful, but I’m sure it would be worse if it a real person there, instead of what looks to be a dummy. The kind that first responders use to practice on for CPR and carrying out of buildings.
“Nora, look at me.” Silas calls my attention to him, once I’m focused on him, he continues, “There was a note on the hood. It’s addressed to you.” Me?! Why would there be a note, addressed to me? Fuck, I had a feeling this was my fault. He tucks the note in his hand.
“Let me see it.” My voice is firm, I hold out my hand to Silas, waiting for him to give me the note. He does, reluctantly. My hand is shaking as I take it and unfold it. Silas has to hold my hand holding the note so I can read it. It’s hand written and neat, appearing to be a woman’s. As I do, I can feel the blood draining from my face.
“Who is it, Nora? What does this mean to you?” Owen asks as he comes up on my other side, placing a gentle hand on my elbow.
“It has references of things that happened with my roommate. How would anyone know those things, other than him and I? Or the officers that took the report I made.” A feeling akin to fear slithers across my scalp and shoots down my spine. Jason’s still got two years before his release, so it can’t be him. Kyle enters the garage and moves in place next to Owen.
“Get someone from the police station on your phone and find out everything you can about Jason. I want to know how much toilet paper he uses to wipe his ass. Now.” Owen’s got a look of thunder in his eyes as he orders Kyle.
Kyle pulls his phone out of his pocket, hitting a few buttons as he inspects the Jeep and burnt up dummy inside. I hand him the note and watch his face become like stone. When he finally gets someone on the other end he moves away from Owen and me to talk.
Feeling lost I wrap my arms over my stomach and curl in on myself as best I can while standing next to Owen and Silas.
“Doll, come on.” Silas holds his hand out to me and I gladly slip mine into his. We go in with Cain following us and Silas leads us to my room. When we get in Silas closes the door then moves over to the window and pulls the shades so you can’t see in or out. From there he moves to my bed and slips his shoes off before he climbs in and rests his upper torso along the headboard.
“Cain, down. Nora, get over here.” Silas opens his thickly corded with muscle arms to invite me into my bed as he orders Cain to lay on the floor. We both obey immediately, me on shaking legs. He gathers me up close to him so I’m half laying on him and half on my bed. He slips my shoes off, tossing them to land at the end of my bed on the floor. My entire body can’t seem to stop shaking as Silas holds me tight to his firm, solid body. He takes his phone out and fiddles with it until it starts playing Mr. Sandman by SYML.
“No one is going to get to you, Doll. I don’t give a fuck what I have to do to keep you safe. I’m going to fucking do it.” He peers down at me and I stare up at his magnificent ice-cold eyes that fill me with such heat I can barely stand to keep eye contact with them. “Do you trust us to keep you safe?”
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean I’m still not starting to lose my mind from fear. I didn’t think he could, but what if Jason got out early? What if he found me? What if it’s been him all along? I can’t live in fear like this. Not just for myself but for all of you too. If anything happens to any of you, I’d never forgive him, or myself.” Silas gives me a quick shake and it shuts me up.
“Stop it. We don’t play in what if’s, Nora. We gather facts and go from there, planning for all possible scenarios as best we can.” He applies a small amount of pressure to my head and I lay it on his chest. “Stop playing the what if game. The guys are on it, I’ve got you. We will come up with a game plan if needed and go from there with the information they get. For now, you need to keep your shit together until we know something. Can you do that for me?”
“I think I need you to help distract me, Si.” My voice comes out shaky with emotion at his words, they are all the best. They boot and rally for me like I’ve been a part of them forever, it’s so soul touching that I feel more pieces stitch themselves back together.
“Have you been on a date since that motherfucking roommate of yours violated you?” It’s an odd question for sure, given recent events, but I’ll bite.
“No, until I was in the hospital and met all of you, I’ve had zero interest in dating or being in a romantic relationship. I never even tried.” The realization that Jason has been controlling that aspect of my life all these years later brings my fear down and my anger rises at him, and myself.
“Nora, would like to go on a date with me?” I hear his words rumbled in my ear and feel it through my chest. It sends delicious tingles zipping down my spine, replacing the fear.
“I’d love that, Si.”
We sit like this with each other until Heath knocks on the door, sticking his head in.
“Detective Daron is here, if you’re ready to come out.” He gives me a soft look and then a determined one to Silas before he closes the door, Cain follows him out, leaving us alone.
“You okay to face the facts, with us beside you?” Silas can be a real jerk sometimes, then there are these times that he’s so much of everything I need. It’s a real struggle to know what to do with myself around him at times.
“I’m ready to face anything, as long as all of you are next to me.” I move to get up from the bed, he pulls me back down and covers his body with mine.
“First I need something from you, Doll.” His voice is three octaves lower and it sends heat scorching to my pussy.
“What’s that?” I breathe out. He doesn’t say what it is in words, he just takes it. Silas King kisses me with a tenderness that I didn’t think he had in him. It’s not overtly heated or rough, but it gets me going like nothing I’ve experienced. When we come up for air Silas has the biggest smile on his face.
“I’m gonna love going on this journey with you, Doll.” He does a push up and then helps me from the bed, keeping my hand in his as we exit the room and emerge out into the living room.
9 My Fault
Beautiful Crazy by Luke Combs
All the other guys, plus Detective Daron and his partner are in the living room. Silas guides me to sit next to Heath and then he takes the open spot next to me.
“Nora, it’s good to see you, but again, I wish it were under different circumstances.” Detective Daron greets me.
“Like wise. Thank you for coming out so quickly.” Is my brief response. Now that I’m out here and I see the detective’s, reality settles in and my nerves kick in.
“Nora, we need to ask you a few questions.” I nod my understanding, though I don’t know how much I can help. I don’t know much. “Do you recognize this?” He pulls out the letter, now in an evidence bag, from the garage incident and shows it to me.
“Yes, Owen showed that to me and told me it was on the hood of Flynn’s Jeep.” Detective Daron nods and puts the note back down on the coffee table in front of us.
“Do you have any idea who would do something like this? An old co-worker, ex-partner, disgruntled friend?”
“With the specific’s in that note the only people who would know those things are Jason Miller, my ex roommate that assaulted me. Or anyone who had access to my police report and case.” I’ve no clue if anyone else would know the things in that note, but it’s doubtful, I’ve told no one, aside from the guys.
“We can look into that, anyone else that might have something against you?” Detective Daron inquires deeper.
“No, I’m very private and don’t have many friends. Sara and Jaz are the only two.”
“Who are they?” Detective Daron pulls his tablet out so he can jot down notes.
“Sara is Heath’s sister; she works for Silas at King’s. Jaz works at Flex; she does the yoga class and works the reception desk when they’re short staffed.” I wrap my arms over my stomach, trying to bring some comfort to myself. Silas pulls me against him, tucking me securely to his side. Heath stands and moves around the couch so he’s at my back Owen slides into his place. Kyle is leaned up against the wall next to the back door, his arms are crossed over his chest, making his shirt stretch tight and his pectorals bulge. Flynn stands and starts pacing along the wall lining the hallway to our bedrooms. My eyes track him back and forth, his energy is jittery and agitated and it’s rolling off him like a tsunami. It feels wrong coming from my fun, easy going, artist.
“Mr. Walker, can you go with my partner and give your statement?” Detective Daron gestures to his partner and Flynn casts a look to Owen who dips his chin in an affirmative. I can tell he doesn’t want to leave so I give him an encouraging smile and jerk my head toward the other detective. Flynn’s lips get tight, but he follows the other officer out the front door.
“Anything else any of you can tell me, or can think of? Even the slightest thing could be helpful.” Detective Daron asks one last time. I shake my head along with the guys. “I think we have all we can get right now; we’ll keep in touch.” With that he stands and heads toward the front door as Flynn and Detectives Daron’s partner come back in. Owen stands and sees the detectives out.
It’s the night of my date with Silas and boy, am I nervous, with this being my first date and all since all the stuff that happened with Jason. I know I should
n’t be; it is Silas after all, but that’s part of what makes things worse. What if I do or say something wrong and he decides he doesn’t want to date me anymore? I more than just like him and I’m not sure my heart will be able to heal from a blow like that. Deep breaths, Nora. In and out. In. Out.
Okay, I think I’ve got my nerves under control. I lean closer to the mirror so I can make sure I’ve properly blended the eyeshadow I’ve been working on. It’s near perfect, so I move on to curling my lashes.
“Ouch!” I accidentally pinch part of my eyelid in the curling wand, making my eyes water. Loki lifts his head, from where he’s lying on the bathroom floor napping, tilting it to the side, looking at me like I’m crazy, he doesn’t get why I’m making such a fuss of things.
“You’d do it too if you were going on a date with a super-hot, nearly perfect specimen of a man.” Part of my crazy shows as I talk to the dog like he’s going to respond. Not surprisingly he doesn’t do anything other than to lay back down and let out a sigh. He doesn’t show any concern for me, like he can’t be bothered with my nonsense. I take a step back and give my makeup a once over, pleased with the look, heavy smoky eyes in purple hues, I want them to be the focus tonight. My hair was easy, I just dried it with my blow dryer and let it hang long and loose down my back, with a deep side part and two small Dutch braids along the side with less hair. A nude lip will complete the look, then I can get dressed.
The door from Flynn’s room into our shared bathroom opens and Flynn stops dead in his tracks with one hand still on the door knob. My robe slips off one shoulder due to him startling me. I move to fix it, but Flynn stops me.