Darkness Falls (The Darkness Duet #2)

Chapter 27

Avery

I 've been staring at a wall in my house, trying to comprehend what's happening since I received the phone call from the hospital early this morning. There was an accident. They didn't make it. You were listed as an emergency contact. That's all I heard. So many words were said between them about what happened, but I was only focused on the fact that my parents are dead, and I'll never see them again.

I was supposed to go to dinner with them this weekend, but I blew them off so that I could go on some stupid date. The girl ended up being a total bitch too, and we didn't vibe at all. Images of my parents flash before my eyes, with the weekend camping trips we always went on being the first ones. My father wanted to teach me how to fish, but I was always too afraid to put the worm on the hook by myself.

My mother was always encouraging me to be whoever or whatever I wanted to be. She took me to a craft store when I was eleven to buy me my first sewing machine and always encouraged me to express myself in as many ways as possible. She’s gone.

I think about how in love they were. They were married for nearly 30 years. I was their 7th wedding anniversary gift. Lucky number 7 is what my dad always joked around and called me. He would say it was pure luck that his anniversary and my birthday were on the same day because it was one less important day he had to try not to forget.

I should call Callie and ask her to help me with everything, but I don't know if I can. She is going through her own mess right now between finding out her parents aren't her real parents and trying to carry out her revenge on Damien. I don't want to dump this on her because it's not like she ever met my parents anyway.

I know that's probably shitty of me to think like that, but I don't want to be a burden. This is my problem to handle, not hers. She can be pissed at me for not leaning on her later on if she needs to be. For now, I'll just sit here and think about all the good times with my parents and go from there. It's the only real choice I have. My first instinct is to pull away when faced with any sort of overwhelming life issue, and I may or may not be defaulting to that.

I don’t even know how long I’ve been sitting here, just staring and thinking. I'm interrupted by the sound of my phone ringing. The last time this phone rang, it was to tell me my parents were dead. I glance down and don't recognize the number. Maybe it's someone calling to tell me this has all been some sort of misunderstanding. I click the answer button and bring the phone to my ear.

"Hello?"

"Hi, is this Avery Pierce?"

"It is," I say.

"Hi Avery, my name is Reese Worthington. I am a lawyer who was hired by your parents to ensure your needs were taken care of in the event of their passing. I am noted as an emergency contact for them and was just made aware of their deaths."

"Who are you?"

"I know this all may be a lot for you to handle right now. My name is Reese. Are you able to stop by my home office today? I have some things your parents asked me to hold onto that I believe you should have now."

"I don't understand. Why would my parents prepare for something like this?"

"I think everything will make more sense once you stop by."

"Fine. Give me the address. I'll call an Uber."

The lawyer proceeds to give me her address, and a few minutes later, I'm being picked up by my Uber driver, Ken. I let my mind space out as Ken drives me just outside of Braxton Falls. It's more secluded here than I'd like, considering I'm meeting a stranger, but if this is what my parents wanted me to do, I'm going to do it.

Growing up, we moved around a lot. It was part of the free lifestyle they wanted me to experience. They always talked about Braxton Falls no matter where we went, so one day, I told them we should move back. If there's a place you love, you should be there.

When we got here, I fell in love with this town just like they did. There's something about it that just draws you in. I wish there was a way for me to explain it. Maybe one day, I’ll pack up and go back on the road like we did when I was a kid. Callie has her men, and she doesn't need me here anyway.

We pull into a driveway, and I take a look up at the house. There isn't anything special about it, and if I didn't already know better, I would have no clue this is a lawyer's house. I thank my driver and step up to the front door, knocking lightly.

When the door swings open, I'm completely taken aback by what I see. The most gorgeous woman I've ever laid my eyes on stands before me in a tight pencil skirt with a white buttoned-down shirt tucked into her top. The skirt hugs her body like a glove, and the first two buttons of her top are undone, giving me a peek at the curvature of her breasts.

I trail my eyes up her form until they land on her face. She has stunning green eyes with the tiniest hue of brown surrounding her pupils. Her nose is petite, and her lips are so full. I wonder for a moment how soft they would feel if I were to lean in and press mine to them. She has the darkest black hair I've ever seen, which is a sharp contrast to the pale color of her skin. Her hair is tied back, with loose locks flowing around her face to frame it. When she smiles at me to offer me her hand, I almost fall over at the sight of her dimples.

"You must be Avery. I'm Reese. It's so nice to meet you. I'm sorry it has to be under these circumstances." I have to bring myself back to reality, and my hand meets hers as I shake it to say hello.

"Like the candy" is the first thing I say, and I almost immediately regret it. I don't know what the hell is going on in my head right now, but I'm blaming the delusion on my mental state and the fact that my parents just died.

"I suppose so, yes. Your parents did say you have an oddly sarcastic sense of humor."

My parents. What did they tell her about me? Hopefully, it’s nothing too wild because she's hot as fuck. She steps to the side of the doorway and motions for me to join her in the house.

"Umm. You're not some crazy person that I have to worry about murdering me and hiding me under the floorboards of your creepy house, are you?"

She looks at me with concern. Her eyebrows furrow, and her lips purse before a smile overtakes her face. There are those dimples again.

"I wasn't thinking of murdering you, but if you don't get inside so we can go over our business, I might change my mind."

"You've got jokes, candy girl. I like it." I step into her house, and she leads me to a kitchen where a wooden box is set out on the table.

She offers me a letter and curiously, I reach out to grab it. "I believe this also belongs to you. I'll give you a moment to read it."

Before I can say anything else, she steps out of the room. I seat myself in one of the chairs in front of the box and turn the letter over in my hand. It has my mom’s handwriting on it. My heart aches, and tears well up in my eyes. I don't know if I'm going to be able to handle this, but with a shaky hand, I carefully open the envelope and pull out a letter.

My dearest Avery,

If you're reading this letter, your father and I have passed on from this life. I am so sorry that we are leaving you to navigate this world alone. The first thing I want you to know is that you are one of the best things to ever happen to us. We love you more than you will ever know. Raising you to be the courageous, free spirit that you are, has been nothing short of a blessing.

Your father and I made choices to ensure you had as many opportunities as possible, but there are some things that we never told you. I feel as though you should know now. I'm so sorry I can't be there to hold your hand through this, baby, but you are strong, and I know you will make the right choice.

Your father and I were part of a secret society that we've kept hidden from you for your entire life. I know this must sound crazy, and you probably want to tell me that secret societies aren't real, but we never wanted that life for you. The community we were part of before you were born was built on strong values, but over the last several decades, it transformed into something that we no longer agree with. It's not a safe place for women to be raised in. Your father and I made a choice to step aside and start our family outside of Rogue.

Rogue knows us as Elizabeth and Martin Stone, one of their four founding families. You know us as your loving parents, Sage and Stanley Pierce. We devoted our lives to the society before deciding to step away and raise a family outside of their corrupt community.

A year before you were born, someone burned down our home in Braxton Falls with your older sister, who was just a baby inside. Your sister did not survive the fire, and they presumed us dead, so your father and I took on new identities. I was completely distraught from losing my child, but a few months later, we were blessed with the knowledge of you. You became my entire reason for living. Because of you, I was able to pull myself together to be the best mother I could possibly be. I was given another chance at motherhood because of you, my baby girl.

Your father and I tried our best to raise you to be the best possible young woman you could be. We want you to always make the hard decisions and be brave. You are part of the legacy of Rogue, and it's up to you whether or not you wish to go to them to inquire further. Inside the box we left for you are several things you can use to find Rogue and prove to them you are who this letter says you are, if that is what you wish.

Avery, I love you so much; please don't ever forget that. You are one of the best things to ever happen to me. Please be careful with whatever you decide and be careful who you trust. You are a shining star, and people always try to dim the brightest lights.

Love you always and forever,

Mom

"Oh my god! There 's no way!" I yell after slamming the letter down on the table. Reese peers around the corner, eyeing me cautiously.

"Are you alright in here?"

I turn to face her, trying to keep the massive pile of emotions inside me from spewing out all at once. When my eyes meet hers, all I can do is laugh hysterically right in her face.

"Ummmm..." she trails off.

When I finally stop laughing, I wipe the tears from my face and clear my throat. "I just found out someone I met by chance a year and a half ago is actually my sister."

"And that's a bad thing?"

"It's so complicated."

"Want to talk about it? I'm sworn to secrecy. You know, attorney-client privilege and all that."

I take a moment to actually consider this. It may be helpful to get it off my chest, and I don't have to tell her anything about Rogue. I could leave those details out.

"Well, for starters, she thinks her biological parents died in a house fire when she was a baby. Turns out they were alive the entire time. My parents thought she died in that same house fire, but she was actually stolen by a really bad man and raised by another couple as their child. You see why this is all kinds of hysterical."

"Huh. I'm actually at a loss for words."

Now I get to live with not only the guilt of my parents dying and me not spending time with them beforehand but also the fact that Callie, my best friend, my sister, will never get to meet them. How the hell am I even supposed to tell her about this?

I'm so angry at my parents right now for doing this. They should have told me the truth when they were alive. We never kept secrets from one another. If I knew the truth, everything could be different. I could have told them I already knew about Rogue because of Callie. Maybe they would have put the pieces together and figured out she was their daughter before Natasha confessed everything.

Reese eyes me cautiously as she pulls up a chair next to me. "Is there anything else?"

She seems suspicious, and it’s weird and off-putting. "No offense, but I don't know you, and I don't feel like confessing all my dark family secrets to you."

"I recognize the symbol on the box. It's the same one my mother warned me about."

I glance over to look at the raven on the box. I didn't even notice it before, but it looks exactly like the brand Callie has. I narrow my eyes. "What do you know about the symbol?"

"I know it’s for a group of people who refer to themselves as Rogue."

"You're not supposed to know that." Instantly, I become defensive and push the chair out from under me. "Are you one of them?"

"Woah, calm your crazy. I'm not part of them. My father was apparently a member. Your mom and dad helped my mom when she found out she was pregnant with me. She didn't want my father to know. They set her up in this house and gave her some money so she could get a fresh start on her own."

"My parents seemed to be experts in keeping secrets," I say as I let anger consume me.

I shouldn't be upset with them, considering they aren't here to defend themselves, but so much could have been prevented had they just let me in. I look at Reese and find her staring intently at me.

"Do you have somewhere you need to be? I can grab you a drink, and we can figure all of this out if you want? It sounds like you need someone to talk to," she says as she stands and walks over to one of the cabinets in the kitchen. I don't miss the way her eyes roam over my body.

I smirk and shoot my shot because you never really know how people will react until you lay it out there. I'm not in the mood to talk, but I wouldn’t mind having someone to drown myself in. She might be the perfect person to give me that.

I sandwich her between me and the counter. "I really don't want to talk, but if you're offering up your services, I think I might be able to use you another way."

She raises a brow, and her eyes flick down to my lips for the briefest second. I knew it! Before she can say anything, I grab her by the back of the neck and press her lips to mine. She gasps, granting me more access before her hands reach out to grip my waist. She tastes like spearmint, and I moan against her soft lips.

The kiss deepens, and she pulls my pelvis toward hers. Our chests press together while I use my free hand to reach around and grab her ass. All thoughts of why I'm here fly from my mind as I let my lust for her overwhelm me. She bites down on my lip before sucking on it, and I almost rip her clothes off of her right here and now.

"More," I counter as she pulls away from me.

"I don't think you can handle what I would do to you, firecracker," she whispers in my ear before biting down on my earlobe.

"Do your worst, sweets," I tease.

Her lips are back on mine in a second, and my hand finds the zipper on the side of her skirt. I slide it down and slip my hand inside to glide across her backside. Everything about her is so soft. It's one of the things I love the most about women.

She pulls her lips from mine and moves to my neck, sliding her tongue across my skin before biting down lightly. I whimper over the electric sensation shooting through me.

When I grab the waistband of her skirt to shimmy it off of her, she aids me in the process by swaying her hips back and forth. Once it's off, I trail my hand up her stomach and under her shirt. I pull the cup of her bra down and squeeze her breast tightly in my palm as she moans into my neck, confirming she is just as turned on right now as I am.

She pulls back and eyes me, taking quick breaths before grabbing my hand to lead me down a small hallway and into a dark room. Once inside, I’m pushed backward until my knees hit the edge of something soft, and I fall onto what feels like bedding .

"This isn't very professional of me," she says while climbing on top of me.

"I didn't hire you, so be professional tomorrow. Your only job right now is to make me feel good."

She grinds her hips against me, and fire spreads through my bones. Her hands slide under my shirt, and I feel those delicate fingers tweak my nipples before she squeezes each of my tits.

"Fuck," I breathe out.

"I want to taste you," she breathes out as she glides down my body to pull off my jeans and underwear.

"Please," I whine.

Her hands slide up my legs slowly before each of her thumbs rub along the crease at the top of my thighs. I lift my pelvis, inviting her into me, but she only plays with me further. Her hands move along my hips, gripping them before she glides her thumbs right along the creases on either side of my pussy again. So close, yet so far.

"Touch me," I try.

She positions herself on the bed between my legs, and I feel her warm breath blow against my center, making me drip with anticipation. It's been a long time since I've been teased like this, and I don't know how much more I can take.

Finally, one of her thumbs grazes my center, and I shudder. She slides a finger through my wetness before dipping it inside me and begins to pump it in and out slowly. She adds a second finger and picks up her pace, hooking them at an angle to rub along the perfect spot .

Her warm tongue makes contact with my clit, and I can't help myself. I reach down to grab the back of her head to smash her face against my pussy and grind shamelessly on her. I hear her giggle against me as she thrusts her fingers in and out while lapping at my center.

Pleasure builds, and I feel the warming sensation begin to spread throughout my entire body. I try my best to hold back, but she is determined to bring me to pure oblivion as quickly as possible.

Her mouth suctions on my clit, and I lose every ounce of control I have. I see stars as my climax shoots through my body. My hips jerk and press her further into me while I ride out the shockwaves. Once I finally start to come down, I free my hands from her head and try to catch my breath.

She pulls back and wipes her face with her eyes trained intently on mine, making me smile.

"Sit on my face, sweets. Let me return the favor," I say, and her familiar dimples make their appearance again.

She slides her panties down her delicate legs before hovering the most delicious pussy right over my face. I want to see the rest of her body, so I grab her shirt and rip it open, buttons flying around us, making her giggle.

I reach up to roll one of her nipples between my fingers, and her head falls back. This is the exact kind of response I love to see, so I wrap my arms around her thighs and pull her down to my face. Her hands reach out and grab the headboard to balance herself as my tongue makes its first contact. Fuck, she tastes so sweet. The little nickname I gave her feels even more fitting now.

I run my tongue all along her entrance from top to bottom before dipping it inside and rolling it inside her pussy. I feel her walls twitch at the sensation, making me smile. This isn't my first time navigating a woman's body. I know exactly what I'm doing, unlike most men.

I free one arm from her thigh and slip a finger inside her while I focus in on her clit. She made sure to work me up nice and quick; I'm only returning the favor. I slide a second finger inside, moving them in unison with my tongue. She flutters around them, throwing her head back and crying out.

"Just like that, Avery, yes!"

Hearing her say my name stirs something inside me, and I think I might like it despite just meeting her. I pull my tongue away from her for just a moment as I say, "Be a good girl for me and soak my face, sweets."

Without wasting any more time, I flick my tongue down her delicious center again, taking every piece of her I can get. Once I feel like she is right on the edge of bliss, I nip at her clit before latching on and curling my fingers against her inner walls. She grinds down hard against my mouth, and I feel her explode on my fingers, clamping down around them.

She shudders from the aftershocks of the orgasm as I clean up her release, not stopping until I get every last drop. Finally, I pull back, and she slides off of me to crash onto the bed .

She's a work of art, truly. In any other circumstance, I would spend an entire day with her, exploring her, devouring her. Today, however, is not that kind of day. I thought it could be, but I'm too caught up in my head to give her the attention she deserves. Part of me is disappointed in myself, considering I'm genuinely curious about this woman.

"Well, that was the perfect warm-up," she says with a smile.

"It sure was gorgeous. Where's your bathroom?"

"Right across the hall," she pants.

I glance over at her as she throws an arm over her eyes and tries to catch her breath. I excuse myself, grabbing my clothes and phone along the way. Once inside the bathroom, I order an Uber. The app says the driver is two minutes away—perfect. It's a bitch move, I know, but I can't do the after-sex feelings today. I need to just fuck and run. If that makes me a shit person, so be it. I think I'm allowed after the events of today.

I open the bathroom door and peek my head back into her bedroom to find her in the same position I left her in. "I'm going to grab a glass of water. Do you want me to get you one?" I call out.

"That would be amazing actually! We should definitely stay hydrated with what I'm about to do to you."

I run past her bedroom before she has a chance to uncover her eyes and walk down the hallway to get back to her kitchen. Without hesitation, I grab the box and letter off the table and walk toward the door, glancing down the hallway one last time before quietly opening it and slipping out. My driver pulls up just as I pull the door closed behind me, and I slide right into the car to head back to my house. Part of me feels bad, but this doesn't need to be any more complicated than it already is.