32. Imry
32
IMRY
I adjust in my seat when my ass twinges uncomfortably. Even with the slight discomfort, I’m practically grinning every time I feel it. There’s no better way to be woken up than being bent over the side of the bed and fucked in a way that ensures I’ll feel it all damn day. You don’t need a huge dick to accomplish that. You just need to know how to use the dick you have.
Haze knows how to use his cock.
He sets half a biscuit on my plate once he’s put jelly and clotted cream on it. I smile as my stomach flutters and my heart skips around. He adds the second half once he’s done putting the spreads on it, too.
I look up and meet his eyes. He smiles, all soft and sweet. Would he care if I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him until we’re both breathless? Maybe. I still haven’t asked how he feels about PDA. Hand holding and light touch seem to be fine but sucking his soul out from his throat while I bite his tongue? There’s a chance he might draw the line there.
“There you are,” Rhodes says, and we turn away from each other as Brek walks into the room. He gives Rhodes a wary look. “Good morning, beautiful. Did you sleep well?”
Brek moves around the maze of wolf dogs lounging on the breakfast room floor. He doesn’t take one of the empty seats on either side of Rhodes. He comes around the table and sits beside me, continuing to give Rhodes a wary look. “Fine,” he answers.
Rhodes hums. “Seems like you need a better rest if you don’t wake up happy.”
I shake my head. Poor Brek. I’m not entirely sure if Rhodes is fixated on him for real or if he’s found the one guy in this house who’s fun to play with.
Oakley joins us then and takes the seat beside Haze. His hair is wild, and his bedclothes wrinkled as he drops himself into the chair.
“Seems it’s a theme in this house,” Rhodes notes. “You look like hell, Oakley.”
Oakley huffs. “I’ve spent most of my life sleeping alone, but do you think I can manage now? I miss my husband.” He pouts, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Seventy-two hours,” Haze says. “Right?” He looks at me.
Thankfully, they’ve finally orchestrated a plan they’re comfortable with and feel assured it has a relatively high rate of success. Through their one-way broadcast, Loren said they’d be executing it in four days. That was yesterday. That means by Wednesday night at the latest, they’ll be on their way home.
If anything, it doesn’t settle me like it does Oakley. I know what they’re doing. I know what’s involved. All Oakley hears is that they’re coming home.
Which is good. That’s all he needs to hear. He doesn’t need to be scared for Loren.
Oakley sighs. “Finally.”
“Have you heard from Jessica?” I ask to change the subject.
All three friends grin and I take that as a yes.
“Oh, do tell,” Rhodes says.
Over the last year or so, Dad’s been taking Myro with him to public functions as his ‘ heir ’ to the business empire or whatever. I think it’s kind of funny because I’m not sure Myro’s really going to take over when Dad’s ready to retire. I’m still convinced it’s going to skip a generation and go to one of Dad’s grandkids.
Granted, there’s only Emerson right now. But honestly, I don’t see any of my brothers taking over. That’s not the kind of businessmen we are. I don’t think we’d be nearly as successful as Dad. It’d be gut-wrenching if one of us took it over and we either stalled in progress or destroyed the company without meaning to.
Anyway, I mentally digress here. Dad had a meeting with the provost of some colorful university in northern California to discuss expansion or whatever. He brought Myro.
He also brought Jeannette, so Myro brought Jessica. We’ve all been dying to know what Jessica thinks of Jeannette since they’re going to be spending a few days’ worth of one-on-one time together.
“Not the goods,” Brek says. “But she sent pictures of the rainbow-clad campus, and I swear, they’re in another world.”
“Ohh,” Oakley says, leaning forward to look around us at Brek. “You said the plans he has for the back property are of a campus. Do you think he’s looking to open a college or something? Maybe that’s why they’re visiting a college.”
I tilt my head as I consider this. As far as I know, they’re there to become donors to Rainbow Dorset University. Dad tries to find a new LGBTQIA+ business to invest in every year. His nod to supporting his gay sons not just at home or publicly, but by using his money to make a statement.
“That seems unwise,” Rhodes says. I look up to meet his eyes, and yeah, I agree.
“I don’t think so,” I say. “I don’t think Dad wants people wandering onto our property and getting into our business.”
“No, that’s fair,” Brek says. “There’s no wall or anything, so there’d be nothing to separate the two plots of land.”
“That makes sense. If he’s buying the land behind the Estate, it’s essentially going to become the Estate so he wouldn’t put a wall right through it,” Rhodes says.
“You think her lack of comment on Jeannette means she likes her and they’re getting along?” I ask. Maybe I’m the one judging her wrongly.
“Oh no,” Oakley says, while both Haze and Brek shake their heads. “We receive random emojis without context, and based on their vibes, she’s not enjoying Jeannette’s company.”
“Not at all,” Brek agrees.
“She’s likely not going to say anything via text. We’ll get the tea when she gets home,” Haze says. “As a rule, we don’t usually spill tea in messages. A habit we picked up when we were teenagers.” He shrugs.
Rhodes tilts his head as he considers Haze’s words, but he doesn’t ask.
I imagine they didn’t put anything worthwhile in their texts because his father or brothers were liable to demand his phone at some point. If I’m not mistaken, things with Oren escalated to physical abuse over Oren’s refusal to hand over his phone.
Speaking of phones, Rhodes’ phone rings and he pulls it from his pocket. With a heavy sigh, he gets to his feet. “Excuse me. Daddy calls.” He leaves the room.
One of the beast dogs gets up and trots after him while another lazily gets to their feet, stretches like a cat, and makes their way to the door, where they stick their head out to watch.
“I’m chancing the fact that they may be some weird alien breed who can communicate, and I swear they understand English,” Oakley murmurs, leaning in close to Haze so his voice remains low. Not that it matters. One of the wolf dogs looks directly at him while two others swivel their ears in our direction. As if they agree. “But I swear, they’re attuned to him in a very weird way. Like they’re puppets.”
I snort. “Nah. They’re highly trained and know that Rhodes is the alpha without question. No one can train a dog like Rhodes can.”
“You’re saying that because they’re listening,” Brek mutters under his breath.
“Obviously,” I agree. When Brek gives me a startled look, I laugh. “Seriously, he’s a world-renowned trainer. He’s been recognized internationally and shit. Considering he trains animals that are up to 85% wolf, he’s earned his reputation.”
“Huh,” Haze says as he admires the dogs.
The one in the doorway backs up as Rhodes comes back to the room. “Imry? A word?”
I stuff the rest of the biscuit into my mouth and get up. Haze looks at me and I can’t help the smile as I pass behind him. Has he always looked at me like that? It’s kind of soft and… affectionate? Is that right?
I follow Rhodes into the hall where one of his beastly dogs is waiting for us. The other stands guard in the doorway. Now I wonder if maybe the dog does that to assure Rhodes’ privacy. It’d be a good alert that someone was coming.
Master trainer, indeed.
“What’s up?” I ask.
“Dad wants me back on the hunt. He’s released another criminal for us to chase.”
Auden owns a giant parcel of land in northern Canada that he acts as the custodian for rather than a landowner. It’s a wildlife reserve.
He also uses it as a human hunting ground for some of the most vile criminals who are either let out of prison or somehow escape the law. He’ll grab them off the street and dump them into the vast wilderness with nothing but a hunting knife and a canteen for water and tell them that their days are numbered. Good luck.
That’s where Rhodes takes his beasts to train. All killers have their favorite weapons. Rhodes’ are his wolves. Oakley isn’t wrong. They’re puppets, to some extent. They react as if they’re extensions of Rhodes, responding at the slightest movement.
This is how he trains them for real hunts. When a target disappears into the mountains or wilderness and we can’t get to him by normal means. That’s when we send in the specialist.
“Okay,” I answer.
“You going to be okay here?”
I study his face for a minute. I think I really misjudged him. Rhodes didn’t show up randomly to hang out and hit on Brek—which may or may not be genuine interest. He came because three/fifths of my brothers were in incredibly dangerous situations. He was here for support.
“Thanks,” I say and grip his hand for a second. “I’ll be fine. They’re on their way home.”
Rhodes nods. “Call me if you need help with something. Training can wait.” He pulls me to him and hugs me fiercely. “They’re resourceful, and Van Dorens aren’t easy to kill. They’ll be home unscathed,” he murmurs.
“They will,” I agree, remembering Haze’s voodoo positive energy idea. “Be safe. Feed your beasts so they don’t turn on you in the night.”
Rhodes steps back with a wide smile. “They’d sooner turn on each other.”
I grin. “You leaving now?”
“Not a chance. I need to say goodbye to my boo and finish eating. There aren’t homemade meals prepared for me in the wildlands of Canada,” he says, sighing as we head back into the breakfast room.
Rhodes doesn’t appear to be in a hurry as we take our time with breakfast. Levis joins us briefly before he heads out back to practice his aikido. Rhodes watches him go with interest. “Have you seen that man practice? He’s like sex on a stick. Mm-mm ,” he says.
Brek rolls his eyes as he gets to his feet. “You’re just a hungry man, aren’t you?”
“Oh no, sweetheart. I’m well-fed when I want to be. Levis is something pretty to look at. We can all appreciate fine art, no? You’re the sweet cinnamon roll I’m dying to feast on.”
Brek’s cheeks burn as he glares at Rhodes and leaves the room without a word. I shake my head.
Rhodes leaves after he finishes a leisurely breakfast. Admittedly, it’s rare that I’m left as the only Van Doren on the Estate. There’s something somewhat intimidating about it. Intimidating might not be the right word. Harrowing? I’m not sure what the descriptor I’m looking for is, but it’s not the most comfortable feeling.
I feel weirdly alone, which is impressive when you consider the size of my family. I’m not the biggest fan of being the one and only Van Doren home. All kinds of dooming ‘ what ifs ’ pop into my head, all of which circle around my being the one needing to make some terrifying decision because the rest of my family is inaccessible for reasons that make me sick to my stomach.
Thankfully, I’m not actually alone right now. I have Haze’s hand in mine as we head for the docks on the lake. It’s a nice day, so why not swim for a while?
The water is always cool and refreshing. Actually, in my opinion, it’s a little cold. After a dive in, I surface and decide that’s enough fresh water for me. I’m just going to sit on the lounge and watch Haze and Oakley swim around as they talk.
I love this view. My boyfriend with a smile. Relaxing. Comfortable in his surroundings. Enjoying himself. Safe. It’s a good feeling.
It’s not long before both men join me, taking seats on either side of me. We lay under the hot sun, letting the droplets of water dry.
The peace is nice. I don’t think I just lounge around like this often enough. The niggling in the back of my head because so many of my brothers are out there decidedly not safe never leaves, but for just this second, I can imagine that everything is right in the world.
My phone rings, and I lean forward to reach for it. Voss’ face flashes across my screen. Sitting back again, I answer.
“Hey, Voss.”
“I need your help,” he says in greeting, and my stomach drops. “I need you to get here immediately.”
I glance at Oakley. He’s probably responding to my expression. His eyebrows are knit together on his forehead as he watches me. “I can’t. You know I can’t. Call Myro.”
“I did. He’s in California.”
“Uncle Arath is closer?—”
“He’s in Vancouver at Elgin’s game. Don’t you fucking suggest Uncle Kairo. I need you here.”
“I have to stay here with Oakley,” I argue, even as my heart races. “Loren will have my head.”
“Bring him,” Voss says. I can hear the strain in his voice, which makes all the hair on my body stand on end.
“Yeah, no. I can’t?—”
“Imry, they have Lorissa. She’s pregnant. I need you here now . Please.”
Chills break out and cover my body. Is he saying what I think he’s saying? I look between Haze and Oakley, considering my options. They’re both studying me with concern. I’m confident they can’t hear Voss’ words, but they may hear his tone. My entire body feels like a live wire and not in a way I enjoy.
I’ve never heard Voss with this kind of distress in his voice. This much urgency. Almost panicked. Borderline begging. Oh hell, let’s be real. He crossed the border into begging as soon as I answered.
Bring Oakley and risk Loren’s fury? Leave him behind and risk Loren’s fury? One of those options means Voss is in over his head by himself.
Fuck.
“On my way,” I say, sitting up.
“I’ll send you the coordinates and what you need to know. Hurry. Please.”
The line goes dead, and I curse as I get to my feet, stuffing my phone into my pocket. I grab both men’s hands and drag them along with me. “Time for a field trip,” I say.
“Where?” Oakley asks.
“Is Voss okay?” Haze asks.
If that baby belongs to Voss and something happens to Lorissa, shit is going to go south quickly. No one touches a Van Doren, especially an unborn Van Doren. The universe should have learned that lesson five months ago when it decided to fuck with Emerson.