See No Evil (Brotherhood Trilogy #1)(44)

“What are you talking about?” Her voice pitches. “You’re the strongest person I know.”

It’s nice that she thinks that, but it’s not the truth.

I dip my head with a sad sniff. “My muscles might be bigger than yours, but you…” I look her in the eye. “You’ve got an inner strength that I’ve wanted my whole life. I could have saved my mom, you know? But I was afraid of the flames.” I swallow. Admitting this out loud is harder than I thought it’d be. I don’t even know why I’m doing it. “The house caught fire. I woke up and there was smoke everywhere. I ran into the hallway and her room was right there.” My face bunches, my insides coiling like they always do when I relive my stupid decision to act like a coward. “But it was so hot and terrifying. I just…” My voice peters out to nothing.

Her fingers are soft as they skim down my cheek. “How old were you?”

“Twelve.”

She squeezes my waist, pressing her cheek against my shoulder. “You were a kid. You can’t hold yourself responsible for that.”

“But she was everything to me,” I mumble into her hair. “I let my everything die.”

“Where was your dad? What about him?” Her questions come out sharp and snappy.

“Business trip.” I swallow. “He’s never been the same since.”

Pulling back, she takes my face in her hands and forces me to look at her. “I hate that you lost her…and him. But look at what you’ve gained. Kade and Riley are gold. They’re your family. Your wolf pack.” She grins. “And whether you like it or not, you’re their leader. They look up to you because you’re strong.”

Her words floor me, along with the conviction in her eyes. She believes everything she’s saying right now. She believes in me.

Lurching forward, I plant my lips on hers, pouring everything I have into it. I’m not just kissing her because she’s hot anymore, or because I’m trying to prove how manly I am.

I’m kissing her because she’s finding a home inside me.

This isn’t a fast and frenzied make-out session where we’re resisting the urge to take things to the next level.

This is a slow dance. Unmasked. Open. Honest.

My hands glide up her back, melding us together. I don’t know how I’m ever going to let her go.

I’m falling for this girl.

I don’t even know her real name.

She’s going to leave me soon to do the right thing.

And when she does, she’s going to take away one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.





#25:

A Ten-Digit Number



Christiana



Everyone’s due back today. Cars have already started arriving, dropping off reluctant boys who’d rather be at home than returning to school for another three weeks of study before Christmas. I gaze out the windows, rubbing my arms as I subconsciously wait for Ivan to arrive.

Kickboxing moves flit through the back of my mind. I wonder if I’ll have the courage to use any of them. Ivan told me this wasn’t over. The guys have promised to keep an eye on me but they can’t be everywhere…and I don’t want any of them getting a final strike. Ivan’s a battle I need to fight on my own.

As are all the battles I’m facing.

The thought numbs me. Depresses me. I shuffle back to my room, cold and lonely.

I did kitchen duty on my own this morning. The guys didn’t even come down to breakfast. When I pressed my ear against the wall, all I could hear was Kade’s snoring. I envied them. We’d stayed up way too late the night before, locked in an intense battle of Madden. Trey and I beat Kade and Riley in the end. The guys were not impressed, especially when Trey and I celebrated with a sizzling kiss that had them throwing pillows at our heads.

The sweet memory makes me grin but reality quickly kicks its ass. I’m on limited time now. Every day that ticks by is one day closer to pre-trial. Rybeck was confident it’d be before Christmas. That’s three weeks away.

My throat constricts. The blood in my veins feels thick and sluggish.

I shouldn’t want to stay in this hellhole. But I do.

Because of Trey…and his wolf pack.

With a heavy sigh, I step into my room, stopping short when I notice Riley sitting on the edge of my bed.

“Oh, hey.” He stands straight, a twitchy smile on his lips.

I close the door and raise my hands with a grin. “It’s okay, you’re safe. No flashlight, see?”

He snickers and runs a hand through his thick blond hair. “I, uh…” He puffs out his cheeks, then nods as if he’s trying to tell himself that he does in fact want to spit out whatever he’s thinking. “I was wondering if you could do me a favor.”

My forehead wrinkles. “O-kay.”

“I have a phone.” He holds it up, waggling it back and forth.

My eyebrows rise. “Good for you.”

He snickers and shakes his head. “I want you to memorize the number. It’s five-one, five-two, five-three, five-four, five-five.”

He says it so fast it takes me a minute to picture it in my head. The numbers flash through my brain and I make a face. “Really? That’s the weirdest number I’ve ever heard.”