Chapter 22
Rue
I wake with Carnage’s soft cock resting in my open mouth.
Sucking dick is way better than sucking on a stuffie.
Last night was so much fun. We traded blow jobs, and even though I thought I could stay awake longer, I gave in and fell asleep before he could rail me, but hopefully that means he’ll do it today.
There’s a little bruise on his thigh from where I sucked his skin. It’s been less of an urgent need lately to suck on something while I sleep, or maybe it’s just the calming effect of having some part of Carnage’s body in my mouth. Either way, I’m sleeping better than I have in a long time.
His phone buzzes on the nightstand, but he doesn’t even stir. I let him fall from my lips and scoot up to grab it to see if it’s urgent and I should wake him up. There’s a group chat on the screen called Murder Buddies, and I snort a soft laugh. Really? At least they have a sense of humor about it.
The phone is password protected, but then I remember he told me it was the date he changed his name, so I type in the numbers, hoping I’ve remembered them correctly. When it unlocks, I swipe the screen to read the messages, just to see if something is urgent.
Boone: Hey Carn, I know it’s early as fuck, but I got something that might be helpful. Ask your man if he knows someone named Chris Johansen. Probably not the name he uses on the streets, but he might be connected to Leon.
Chris Johansen? I think about it for several minutes, mentally running though the guys who hung around Leon. Then it comes to me. CJ. Shady guy Leon didn’t like much but who he said could get his hands on some seriously good weed that kept customers coming back like it was heroin.
I tap out a reply, even though it looks like it’s from Carnage.
Me: This is Rue. Carnage is sleeping. Yes I know CJ. Sort of. He met up with Leon twice a month for weed shipments. They always met at Redlight in the back alley because CJ wouldn’t come inside.
Boone: Thanks, man. I’ll get back to you.
I put the phone down, but then curiosity gets to me and I read through the most recent messages in the chat, nervous that I’ll find out Carnage isn’t the man I hope he is, but if that’s the case, it’s better to know now.
All I see are conversations about all the things he’s already told me about, so at least he’s not lying. I open his text messages, but there’s nothing recent at all. In fact, the last one was a hookup message from months ago that he left on read.
I open his photo app, but it’s empty except for two pictures of me. In one I’m lying in bed sound asleep, and in the other I’m standing at the island talking to Colson. I didn’t even notice him taking that one, but it’s kind of sweet.
Just for kicks, I open his deleted items folder and there I see three pictures of mutilated bodies. He takes pictures of them? I study the photos, waiting for some kind of reaction—disgust? Fear? Something—but there isn’t one.
I close the folder and put the phone down on the nightstand, startling when I turn back and find a pair of warm brown eyes fixed on me.
“I’m sorry. I was making sure it wasn’t urgent. I didn’t want you to wake you up.”
“Find anything interesting?”
Ooh, busted.
“No, actually. I guess I was curious and… well, making sure you weren’t leading some kind of double life or something.”
He chuckles, reaching out and rubbing my thigh. “No double life. Was there a message for me?”
“Yeah, it was Boone. He wanted to know if I knew a guy named Chris Johansen and I do. I gave him the info I have.”
“Good.” He stretches his arms above my head. “What time is it?”
“Only seven.”
“Hmm. You wore me out, precious.”
“Back at ya.” I lean down and press a kiss to the center of his chest. “I was being nosy. I’m sorry for invading your privacy.”
“You didn’t. I don’t have anything to hide from you, and if it makes you feel better about me, then it’s all good. If it bothered me I wouldn’t have given you my password.”
“That’s a good point.”
Carnage smiles as his eyes search my face, roaming to my lips then back to my eyes. “I like this. Mornings with you in my bed.”
“I like it too.”
“Good.” He sits up. “Should we get some coffee?”
“That sounds good. I could make breakfast too since we’re up early.”
“No one will fight you on that.”
After a brief stop in the bathroom to take care of morning needs, we throw on sweats and t-shirts and head downstairs. I look like a kid playing dress up in his oversized clothes, but I kind of like it. I’m almost as tall as Carnage, but he’s got a lot of muscle and brawn on me.
Shadow is at the island, reading something on his tablet. He sips his coffee, only glancing up at us briefly.
“Morning, boss,” Carnage says.
“Morning.”
“I was gonna make breakfast,” I offer. “Will we disturb you?”
“I’m in the kitchen. If I didn’t want to be, I wouldn’t be.”
His words are stern but his delivery is soft. Confused, I look over at Carnage, who studies his boss before he half shrugs and heads over to the coffee station.
I open the fridge to see what ingredients we have and decide what I can make. The guys probably won’t be up for a while, so I should make something that can sit all morning.
There’s fresh fruit and new bananas on the counter, so I can make a fruit salad. I spot a few packages of meat and pull them out to check what they are, eyeing a package of breakfast sausage. Cream, butter, cheese, eggs. Ah, yes. I’ll make biscuits and gravy with eggs and a fruit salad.
I get to work while Carnage sits next to Shadow, sliding a cup of coffee toward me. The two of them talk quietly, and I’m sure Carnage is updating his boss on recent events, but I’m focused on getting my biscuit dough just right. You can’t overwork the dough or they’ll be tough.
Quickly, I lose myself in the cooking and baking process, humming a few tunes to myself as I work.
I could get used to this. The kitchen in this house is amazing, fully stocked, and just the thing any budding chef would want.
Maybe if Carnage and I manage to stay together, I could help out by making more of the meals. That would be fun for me.
I made a dazzling fruit salad while the dough rested, and now I’ve got the biscuits in the oven while I start on the gravy.
A few of the guys have come in now, getting coffee and chatting a bit, but then everyone’s conversation fades away when the effervescence that is Bellamy enters the room.
He’s wearing a too-small t-shirt that shows off a sliver of his flat belly, and shorts that curve around his plump ass perfectly.
I’m a little jealous. I want to look that good.
He must work out. Not as much as Colson, but still.
Shadow’s jaw drops. “I didn’t know you were here.”
“Ended up staying over,” Bellamy says, pouring himself some coffee. “Me and Colson were battling to the death.”
“In what?” Phantom asks.
“Ark Raiders. I’m almost at level four.”
“Is that a video game?” Shadow asks.
Bellamy nods happily, lifting his mug to his nose and inhaling. “You guys have the best coffee.”
Stealth enters the room a minute later, his eyes landing on Bellamy and heating rapidly before he clears his throat and turns his back to get his own coffee.
I immediately look at Shadow to get a reaction, but he’s still staring at Bellamy like he’s a ghost.
“Where did you sleep?” Carnage asks, his eyes shifting between Shadow and Stealth.
“Guest room,” Bellamy says. “Great bed too.” He sniffs the air. “What smells so good?”
“Sausage,” I say. “I’m making biscuits and gravy for breakfast.”
“Oh my god, yes,” he drawls. “I haven’t any good enough to beat my maw maw’s.”
“Your maw maw?” Carnage asks.
“My grandmother,” Bellamy says. “She was from the south. A real Georgia peach. She used to make it every Sunday and on holidays, but she’s been dead a decade. You know how to make it, Rue?”
“I don’t know if it’ll meet Maw Maw’s standards, but I’ll try.”
Bellamy giggles, settling against the island right next to Shadow. “You don’t have any grits, do you?”
“I don’t know. Anyone know?”
“Doubt it,” Shadow says. “We can buy some though.”
“Next time.” I turn my attention back to the sizzling sausage.
I finish breakfast prep while everyone is chatting, putting Carnage to work by asking him to scramble the eggs.
I add shredded cheddar and a dollop of cream cheese, encouraging him to blend it in.
The oven timer goes off and I remove the biscuits, smiling at my work. They look fluffy and perfectly toasted.
“I need serving platters.”
Carnage nods, gesturing at Phantom and Ghost, who recently joined us. By the time they return from the pantry with dishes, all the guys are here, drawn to the kitchen by the delicious smells. My chest swells with pride as they all compliment my efforts. I hope it all tastes as good as it looks.
“We need hot sauce,” Ghost says, digging in the fridge and producing a bottle of red liquid.
The guys carry the platters to the dining table and we all sit down to indulge. I watch nervously as they all take their first bites before I can manage my own, and the lustful look on Carnage’s face as he chews his bite lets me know I nailed it.
“Okay, Rue.” Bellamy waves his fork at me. “I’m gonna need this recipe. Maw Maw would be proud. You a southern belle in disguise?”
I laugh. “Thank you. No. I’m as northern as they come but I love cooking.”
“Did you go to culinary school?” Colson asks, scooping up a forkful of eggs.
I shake my head. “Thought about it, but no. Life stuff got in the way. I’m self-taught.”
“Damn,” he says. “You’re talented.”
“I’ll happily step down as house cook if you want to take over.” Ghost winks at me.
I feel my cheeks burn with heat. “Oh, I don’t know about that. I don’t know how long I’ll be here.”
“Forever,” Carnage grunts. “As long as I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”
I glance at him, but I have to force my gaze away before I jump him in front of everyone. It’s a nice thought, living here in this big house, cooking fantastic meals, sleeping next to this incredible man. Has my luck finally taken a positive turn? Could he really want me to stay for good?
“It’s very good,” Shadow says. “Thank you for this.”
“Yeah, this is sweet,” Pax says, shoveling another bite in his mouth while Wraith looks at him like he hung the moon.
“My pleasure. Really. I love it.”
Carnage leans over and kisses my temple. “You’re so talented. I can’t wait to see what else you do now that you have the opportunity.” He squeezes my hand. “You can be anything you want.”
I nod, smiling and blinking to hold back the emotion building. It’s so nice to hope that this can work out, that I can really make a life here with this man. He seems sincere, and I want to believe him so badly.
Instead of focusing on my insecurities, I enjoy my breakfast and think about the fact that in two days’ time hopefully Leon will be nothing more than a bad memory for me, and I can start over.
With Carnage.