“If I’m not safe with him—”
“No … I …” He groans. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to scare you. He’d never …” He sighs. “You’re safe, Oak.”
I relax into my comforter.
“I want to come over.”
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“I’m coming over.”
I laugh. “I can order wings if you wanna grab them on your way?”
“Call now?”
“Yeah.”
I hang up and order right away before taking my time in changing out of my work clothes and into a pair of thermal pajamas. Then, I head into the living room to find something to watch.
Alec comes out of the room he’s taken over the second he hears my footsteps.
“What are you doing?”
“Getting ready to watch something.”
He frowns. “Are you not tired? It’s nine.”
“What are you, sixty? Nine isn’t late.”
“It is for someone who is at work before six a.m. and doesn’t leave until after seven.”
“I’m fine.”
I start to fidget with the pillows on the couch, and the more I do, the tenser I grow. I can feel his eyes narrowing more by the second, and I can practically hear the questions running through his head. He’s wondering what the hell I’m up to. Usually, I have a hell of a poker face but not where Alec is concerned. He throws everything off-balance.
He doesn’t have to wonder long because the front door starts to jiggle, the sound of keys on the other side.
My eyes fly to Alec, who has a murderous glare pinned on me.
“He has a key.”
I simply shrug, and then the door is open.
Rowan steps into the living room, not pausing or acknowledging the sight of Alec but stepping straight up to me and slowly kissing my cheek, his hand wrapping around my back.
I blush hard, but I’m not sure if it’s in lieu of the possessive nature in which Rowan is touching me or the effect of the boiling gaze locked on mine behind him.
When Rowan steps back, he looks down at me. “Come on. Your bed is more comfortable.”
I hear a scoff behind him and notice the hard edge Rowan’s eyes take on at the sound.
Rowan has no clue what my bed feels like. He’s always steered clear, sticking to the couch until he runs out, except for the last time when he said he stayed all night. But I don’t fight it.
I’ve wanted him there for as long as I can remember.
“Yeah. Okay,” I agree.
Rowan grabs my hand, dragging me past Alec without a word.
I don’t look back, but I know he’s watching.
As we settle on my bed, the walls shake from the vibration of the front door slamming closed in the distance.
“Good. He’s gone.”
I give a half-shrug, opening the box of chicken wings.
“What, you wanted him here?”
“No, Rowan. I don’t want him here.”
“Good.”
I stare at him as we eat. “What happened with you guys? You two used to be super close, and now, you can hardly look at each other.”
“We don’t see eye to eye, is all.”
“Whatever that means.”
“Look”—Rowan’s eyes flit between mine, his face pinched tight—“he tried to step in where he didn’t belong. I told him what would happen if he did, and he didn’t care. Eventually, he … came to terms with it, and we agreed to disagree.”
“But you guys—”
“Give it up, Oak. It is what it is.”
I nod, falling back on my pillow, exhaustion setting in.
Rowan moves our plates, dropping beside me. He stares at me.
“What?” I grin.
With a sigh, he gives a sad smile back. “Nothing, Oaks. Go to sleep.”
I lift my hand, running it through his hair a few times before tucking it beneath my head and falling asleep.
The sound of glass breaking shocks me awake.
I look to my right, disappointment flitting through me when I see I’m alone in my bed. The clock on my nightstand tells me I’ve been out for only two hours, which means Rowan left as rapidly as he’d come.
Lifting myself from my bed, I go to see what Alec broke, slowing when I notice all the lights are off, Alec’s included.
“Alec?” I call hesitantly, freezing when I hear a rustle coming from the kitchen.
I grab the Dalmatian figurine from the hall table and quietly flip it over, uncapping the hidden pepper spray inside of it—one of Dad’s safety nets.
My heart starts beating uncontrollably as I approach the end of the hall.
Tucking the spray beneath my arm, I clap, and all the lights turn on at once.
A loud crash in the dining area has me screaming and retreating to my room. Right when I fling my bedroom door closed, the door that leads to the garage bounces against the wall, slamming shut.
I lock the door and run to hide in my closet, wishing my dad were home.
I don’t know where my phone is, and I’m not about to make a sound to try to find out.
Hours of overanalyzing every little creak of the floor or settling of the house pass before I hear a door slam out front, and then tires peel away as keys begin to clink outside. Too afraid to confirm it’s him, I wait.
The door opens and closes, and then heavy footsteps echo down the hall. A loud bang sounds as something thumps against the wall, followed by a deep groan I recognize.
Another boom sounds before Alec yells a slurred, “Ah, fuck!”
Slowly, I pull myself from my spot on the floor and listen through the wall.
I hear him push his door open and then silence.
I wait a few more minutes and then make my way to his room where I find him flat on his stomach, clothes and shoes still on, snoring.
Under normal circumstances, I would never walk in here, but truth be told, I’m terrified. Someone was in my house tonight.
But why?
After locking us inside his room, I lower myself into the chair across from Alec’s bed. It doesn’t take long for me to fall asleep.
Chapter Nine
Oakley
When I peel my eyes open, I’m met with a pair of green ones.
Alec stares straight at me from his place on the bed.
“Good morning, Oakley,” he calmly addresses me, emotionless, but the pinch of his eyes gives him away. “He fuck you good last night?”
Too exhausted to muster a reaction, I simply stare, half-asleep.
His eyes narrow, irritation seeping from him, as I give him nothing. “Did he fuck you right? Satisfy you? Hmm?”
This is the third time Alec has referred to Rowan as my boyfriend, and again, I don’t correct him.
He flies from the bed and is quick to hover over me. “Tell me, Oakley, does he make you come?”
My face turns beet red, and I refuse to look away. He should have been here last night.
“Get away from me, asshole.”
“Did he go all night?” he seethes, the vein in his neck throbbing.
I don’t know what possesses me to say it, but it happens anyway. “That why you left last night, Alec?” I prop my fist against my temple, holding my head up. “You didn’t want to listen to me fucking your brother?”
He tries hard—I’ll give him that—but he fails miserably, and anger and resentment lock his face into an impenetrable scowl.
His lip curls and I just know he’s about to pop off, degrade me, and then storm away, trying to hide the fact that he feels like shit about it. It’s his thing.
Treat me like dirt, beat me up from the inside, and then do the same to himself.
The why is slowly becoming clear. It’s funny what you miss when you’re looking elsewhere.
“Tell me, Alec,” I start calmly, purposely mocking him. “Why would my dad send you, of all people, here to watch me?”
“Because he trusts me.”
&nbs
p; My eyes roam his face, searching for any signs of a break in his armor. “Trusting you is one thing. Trusting you with me is another.”
His jaw shifts, his teeth grinding together. “He knows I’d put your safety before anything.”
I nod, looking off to the side. “Interesting. And how much does his trust mean to you?”
“More than you’re ready to understand.”
Tears pool in my eyes, but I don’t look his way yet. “Yeah, I kind of figured your answer would be something like that.” Slowly, purposefully, I bring my eyes to his, and instantly, he sees his error written in tears on my cheeks. “Day one on the job, and you failed.”
His brows pull into a deep frown, and he stares at me, lowering himself onto the bed in a dangerously slow manner.
“Someone was in the house last night.”
“What the fuck do you mean, someone was in the house last night? You were in the house last night … with Rowan.”
A small scoff leaves me, and I look away. “Right.”
“Oakley.” His voice is a deep timbre, coming from within his chest. Demanding. Terrifying. “Look. At. Me.”
Tears fall faster now, but I don’t even care. I show him what he inadvertently caused. It’s not fair to blame him, but if not him, then who?
“Where’s Rowan?”
“My guess is, at home, asleep in his bed.” With that, I get up and walk toward his door. “I’m sure there’s broken glass in the living room, probably a busted lock in the kitchen. But I’m going to bed. You can give the news to my dad.”
When I walk out, I hear a loud bang and then a frustrated curse, but I ignore it.
Too afraid to close and lock my door like I want, I leave it open, crawl under my covers, and fall asleep.
When I wake, it’s nearly noon.
I hear Alec on the phone as I make my way toward the kitchen, so I slow my steps, listening.
“Yeah. They broke into her car and stole the opener.”
My brows pull in.
“I know. I did. Changed the locks, checked for wires, put up two more cameras. I also checked her car out. Brakes and everything look good.”
I take another step closer as his voice grows quieter.
“I failed you. Failed … her.”
I quietly lay my head against the wall.
A pained sigh leaves him, the sound so full of defeat that it makes my chest ache.
“I swore to you, to myself, I’d never let any of this touch her. I fucked up.”
Silence and then, “He was right, Trick.” My ears perk at the mention of my father’s nickname. “I’ll never be … it’ll never be me.”
I peek around the corner, watching as Alec drops his forehead onto the countertop.
“How can you possibly believe that?” Alec chuckles into his phone, but it’s broken, disappointed. “I hope you’re right because there’s no other option for me.” Suddenly, Alec shoots from his seat, his grip tightening around his cell. “What exactly are you telling me?”
Ever so slowly, Alec spins to face me. He knew I was listening.
“You asked me to wait,” he speaks to my father, but his eyes burn through my skin. “You’re sure? Because, once I go for it, that’s it. End of fucking story, no way out. And I’m not just talking about for me.”
My dad must give him the answer he wants because an unhurried, treacherous smirk stretches across his face. “I’ll keep you posted, boss.” He hangs up, not turning around to look when he tosses his phone on the counter.
In one swift motion, Alec pulls his hoodie over his head and—holy son of a bitch.
I wasn’t ready for more.
He’s seriously got the body of a UFC fighter and the ink of a rock star, all pulled together with the scars of a fireman.
He’s solid, tall, and trim. Not massive, but cut like no other. Slight burns I didn’t notice the last time mar the edge of his neck and waist where his suit must not have protected him.
They’re fairly fresh, the ones on his hips still a bit red and angry. They suit him well.
A chain hangs around his neck, lying perfectly between his pecs. A crest of some sort. I glance to his abs, and they stare back at me, mocking my inability to touch them.
But do I want to touch …
I take two steps closer, and Alec laughs, instantly pulling me from my haze. My eyes rise to meet his.
“Guess I finally got my answer.”
“What answer?”
“From this morning. If he fucked you good, if he was even capable of it, your body wouldn’t be begging for me.” He licks his lips, slightly tilting his head. “Or maybe it would …”
“What exactly do you think I’m begging for?” I ask, half-hoping he enlightens me, half-hoping he walks away, and not sure either is right.
“More than you’re ready for, but, Oakley”—he walks the rest of the way to me, bringing his heated body a mere inch from mine—“get ready,” he warns.
I swallow, licking my lips. God, this guy makes me nervous. “For?”
Dark, dangerous green eyes command mine.
“Get ready for what?” I try again, my words blowing across his lips; they’re so close.
Too close.
“For me, Oakley,” he whispers, those eyes of his skimming over every inch of my face before coming back to mine. “It’s time.”
“You’re insane.”
“Nah,” he disagrees, stepping around me. “I’m just a man on a mission.”
And he walks away.
After a minute of standing there, stuck on stupid, the sound of the shower kicking on pulls me back to reality.
I storm into my room and dial the man.
“Start talking,” I demand the second he answers his phone.
My dad sighs. “Oakley, honey, stop.”
“No. No freaking way.” I drop onto my bed, sitting Indian-style. “I thought it was strange when Alec was suddenly back at Blackline, your program that I’m running. I guess I told myself that maybe he needed a job. I don’t know. But this? Here! Dad … what the hell? How could you possibly allow Alec to stay here with me?”
“Now, honey—”
“Don’t now, honey me! He’s rude and impulsive, and he hates me! I—”
I stop short when my dad starts laughing like a madman.
“Really?” I deadpan.
He cuts his laugh, clearing his throat. “Oakley, listen to me. That man couldn’t hate you if he tried. And, believe me … he’s tried.”
“He’s irrational and …” I search for the right word but come up short.
“He’s strong and dependable, loyal and fearless.”
“Dependable? Did he not tell you about his first night here?”
“Yeah. About that.”
Shit.
“I set myself up for that.” I squeeze my eyes shut.
“Yeah, you did. You know my rules. I don’t care that you’re twenty. My house, and that means, keep that goddamn boy outta your room!”
I sigh, looking to the ceiling. “You’re okay with Alec living here, but Rowan can’t even be in my room?”
“No, he can’t.”
“You’re insane.”
“No, I’m smart.”
“Whatever.”
“Back to Alec.”
I roll my eyes. “I don’t want him here.”
“Too bad. You need him there.”
“What’s going on, Dad? Are we even gonna talk about the break-in? This is the second one now! And that’s not including the one at Blackline!”
He’s quiet for a few moments before he speaks, “I’ve spent most of your life protecting you, baby girl. But I’m not so sure I can anymore. Talk to Alec. He’ll help you understand.”
“Dad—”
“Do you know the one thing strong enough to overcome anything? Solid enough to beat evil?”
“What?”
“Love, Oaks. Love. When you love someone, you feel invincible. Your strength becomes theirs, and you
feed off each other until, eventually, you are unstoppable.” I hear his deep inhale. “Be unstoppable, Oakley.”
“Dad, Rowan and I—”
“This isn’t about Rowan. It never has been. Open your eyes, baby girl. It’s time.”
“It’s time.”
Alec steps around the corner then, gray sweats and another long-sleeved shirt covering his body.
“That’s the same thing Alec said to me.” I sniffle, my eyes locked with his. “What’s it mean?”
“He’s waited a long time. Find your strength. Be brave, Oaks.”
Tears fall, my heart crushing for reasons I can’t explain. “I love you, Dad.”
“I love you, too. And, Oakley?”
“Yeah?”
“I trust him. You will, too.”
Chapter Ten
Oakley
“Come on, Oakley, try it!” Rowan chuckles, circling his plastic spoon in my face.
“Ew, no!” I laugh, pushing his arm away. Then, I pull my sleeves down over my hands.
“I thought you said she was down,” Rowan’s friend and classmate, Gio, teases, shoving Rowan’s shoulder.
Rowan grins and looks back to me. “She is.”
He winks, and I drop my chin to my knees.
We’re sitting in the back of Rowan’s truck, on lunch, and he and his friends are trying to get me to taste some soup concoction they bought off the Asian food truck.
“Come on, Oak. Don’t make a liar out of me.” He raises the spoon to his lips, slowly blowing on the steaming soup.
My gaze lowers, watching as his tongue pokes out to test the temperature before he again brings it to my lips.
With a deep breath, I open up, allowing him to place the spoon in my mouth, tasting as he asked. It’s a bit sour for my liking, and the texture is kind of weird, but instead of focusing on the taste, I find myself staring at Rowan.
His forehead pinches slightly, and those amber eyes scan mine.
I wish he could see what I see when I look at him—how great we’d be if we were more. It would be so simple for us.
“Well …” Gio turns back, interrupting whatever this was.
Rowan is quick to clear his throat and hop out of the bed of the truck. “Gotta take a piss,” he mutters, disappearing.
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