Chapter Twenty Two
“Is there anyone outside?” I reached for Moth’s arm, gripping him, vice-like.
We were standing by the main entrance, peeking out to see where we were and if it was safe to leave. The dark shadows of the industrial estate loomed outside the door, hindering my sight. We’d searched Brandon’s belongings to see if there was a phone to call Moth’s friends. Alas, he hadn’t had anything with him except a sandwich and a knife. The bastard had clearly lost it.
Holding the door ajar, Moth studied our surroundings more intently. A van abutted the door, clearly parked by Brandon to hide what was inside his warehouse. It could’ve been a good way to escape, if it was unlocked. Brandon, despite his stupidity, wouldn’t have hired a warehouse that was covered by CCTV if he was planning to use it to rape and kill his victims.
Looking over his shoulder, Moth gave me a smile of reassurance. “His van is right here. I’m going to get in and check that the keys are in there. If you hear the engine start, come out and jump in the passenger side.”
“Okay,” I agreed, letting go of him and watching him slip through the door.
Glancing over my shoulder, I looked at Brandon. His face was pale, his skin almost translucent. A shudder shook me as all the hurt and pain he’d caused bubbled up and out.
“Fuck you,” I whispered to him cathartically. “That’s for what you did to me, but most importantly, it’s for what you did to my brother. He can rest in peace knowing that I’m finally safe from you.”
Blinking away the tears, I looked up at the ceiling to send love to the one I’d played with growing up. My brother had struggled his whole life, not just for himself, but for me too. And now he could be free.
Wiping my eyes, I hugged myself and turned back to the door, pressing myself close to the small gap to search for my protector, my saviour. My heart warmed and I smiled for the first time in days. I was finally free from my past and hurtling straight into sex city with my new man.
The hairs on the back of my arms raised as someone grunted outside. A commotion was followed by low talking and even a laugh. What the fuck?
Blood rushing in my ears, I pushed the door open and peeked out, searching for Moth, who appeared in front of me, a manic grin on his face.
“What happened?” I asked, searching the shadows around him.
A squeak burst from me when three huge silhouettes appeared from behind the van.
Moth moved to stand beside me, taking my hand gently. “It’s okay,” he muttered, “It’s the guys. They’ve checked for cameras and there aren’t any. Let’s go.”
“Wait.” I looked behind me, searching the floor for Brandon, who still laid prone in a huge pool of bright red liquid.
Moth’s arm was around me, tucking me into his chest as he walked me away from the building. “You don’t need to see that. No regrets, do you hear me?”
My hands shook as I reached for him, my knees wobbling too. “I just wanted to make sure he wasn’t coming back,” I whispered.
We reached the other side of the van and Moth turned me to face him, looking down into my eyes as he cupped my face with bloody hands. “He is never coming back, and for as long as I draw breath, no one will ever hurt you again. Understand?”
Resting my head against his chest, I nodded. The guys shuffled around us, their footsteps drawing my attention as they spoke to one another in hushed tones. I looked up to see what they were doing, except Moth guided me away, leading me to a car that had its lights on and the engine running.
“We’ve got to get out of here.” Moth opened the back door and I climbed in.
Spider came around the front of the car, throwing Moth a thumbs up before they both got in, with Spider quickly putting the car in gear.
“Why is Fly in Brandon’s van?” Moth asked Spider as the car accelerated.
Shrugging, Spider looked in his rear-view mirror. “You know him, he wasn’t going to be left behind. He’s keeping Ant company while he cleans up, despite the fact the bastard can’t do anything due to his leg.”
Moth grunted and turned to me, trying to smile. “If you could eat anything right now,” he started, “what would it be?”
As he pulled me to him, cuddling me into the crock of his shoulder, I stayed quiet. Surely he hadn’t been talking to me?
“Chinese?” He lifted my chin. “Or a burger? Chicken and veg? I know you’re partial to a Chinese.”
“Firstly,” I said, shaking my head, “are we really talking about food right now? Secondly, how do you know I like Chinese? I’m pretty sure I never told you that.”
Flicking his eyes, he smirked. “I was your second stalker, you must have known that. I saw you go to the Chinese place on the way home from work.”
Pursing my lips, I rolled my eyes. “Why am I not surprised?”
“I don’t have to stalk you anymore. I’ve dropped my vendetta against you,” he said, winking. “We can fuck freely now.”
“Fuck man,” Spider piped up from the front, “I never thought I’d see the day when Moth Baker settled down. It…” His voice drifted off into a loud whisper, but I just made out the words. “…changes everything.”
Moth stayed quiet, facing forward with his brooding expression. He had sworn an oath to his friends, one that was years old. How would his relationship with me change that?
“Oh, Moth will stick to his word,” I said, my gaze connecting to Spider’s in the rear-view mirror, “or most of it, anyway. “
Nodding once, Spider went back to concentrating on the road ahead. The silence stretched, almost too loud, in the cabin of the car. Now that Moth had claimed me, the dynamics in their group would change. Survival had drawn them together, and they’d promised to stick by one another, until they left the earth.
The car came to a stop outside their apartments and I blinked, shocked by how quickly we’d reached safety. I’d been thinking of a solution, of a way for Moth to keep his word, but to change the final oath. If he wanted to, of course.
Spider looked over his shoulder as he cut the engine. “You go and clean up, I’ll get some food. You want Chinese?”
He smiled at me, his usually deadpan expression softening. I smiled back and nodded, grateful that they’d arrived when they did. In an ideal world, they would’ve come before Brandon had attacked us, but it had to end this way. Prison wouldn’t have set me free.
Moth got out and offered his hand, helping me on my shaky legs. We hadn’t eaten for a few days and had barely any water, it was starting to catch up to me.
The car drove off and Moth guided me inside quickly, checking around before we entered the hallway. I followed him, numb and cold as we trundled up the stairs. When we reached the first floor, I expected him to stop at the door, but no, he turned towards the next set of steps.
A low groan escaped me and Moth turned to me. “Sorry, Sunshine, I know you’re weak and tired. Here.”
Taking hold of my arms, he guided them around his neck and lifted me. I wrapped my legs around his waist and held on, tucking my head into his neck. His arms were so comforting, his strength so calming, I almost fell asleep as he took us up the next two flights of stairs.
“This is me.” He unlocked the door with one hand, refusing to put me down when I lifted my head. “No, I’m delivering you to me.”
“Huh?” I smiled into his neck as he walked us into the apartment, went through the living area and into the hallway.
“You’re my prize,” he muttered, lowering me onto the bed and retreating, “won by slaying your demons.”
A grin spread across my lips and I raised my eyebrows playfully. “And what will you do with your prize?”
His eyes darkened and his nostrils flared but he quickly shook his head. “There’s plenty of time for that. Right now, we need to get clean and eat. I’ll be right back.”
Spinning, he left the room. I stared at the door as he made a noise in the room next door, a knocking before the whoosh of water. Oh yes, I was desperate to get clean and warm.
“I’ll get us a drink,” he said, sticking his head in the doorway briefly.
Inhaling, I smacked my dry mouth, suddenly as thirsty as a desert wanderer. I looked around the room as the sound of Moth’s movements echoed from the open living area, which had been identical to Ant’s apartment. Surely not every apartment was the sa—
My thought trailed off as my eyes caught the pictures on the wall. Pushing into a stand, I moved over to the collage of… me. There were several photos of me in front of my shop, opening up, locking up… and even talking to customers as they left. Oh fucking hell, he hadn’t been joking when he said he’d been stalking me.
A warm flush soaked my skin and I shuddered. The man I’d fallen in love with had been obsessed but was it because he’d wanted to kill me? Moving along the wall, I reached the corner, where there were several pieces of paper with writing on.
One of them was titled ‘ My Obsession ’ and I looked closer, reading the words of what appeared to be a song or poem.
My Obsession bleeds red, just like me,
yet her skin is perfect, so pretty.
I love to hate her, in my dreams,
Undermining my mind or so it seems.
She broke me good, took away my free,
yet my mind is full, of her body.
I hate to love her, I’m obsessed,
Snap my control and she’ll be undressed.
Chorus
And she’s my darkest desire, hatred ignites sparks of fire.
Sadness bleeds deep in me, the numbing sets me free.
My obsession, My obsession, My obsession
“I’ve got water.” Moth wandered into the bedroom, looking at the bottle in his hand. “And the kettle is on.”
When he looked up, he froze. His expression didn’t change, no red cheeks, no tight jaw. Nothing. I breathed fast, my heart pounding. He’d been right about his obsession with me… the song was dated ten years ago, when he’d first escaped the cult.
“You weren’t joking,” I said, lifting a weak hand to gesture at the wall.
A tired smile crossed my lips and I cocked my head to the side. Moth's gaze moved to the wall, tracing the photos and song lyrics.
“I won’t apologise,” he muttered, “Nor can I pretend that I’m not fucked up. I may do things that you won’t like.”
Licking my dry lips, I held out a hand for the water. Moth stepped to me and undid the cap, handing it to me. Our fingers paused as they brushed and I noted the blood on our arms. We’d been through so much already, a few photos weren’t going to scare me away.
I took the water and put it to my lips, gulping the deliciously cool liquid until Moth put a hand on my arm, stopping me.
“You’ll make yourself sick.” He took the bottle. “Go and have a shower, we need to rid ourselves of your ex. It’s just us from now on… and the guys, of course.”
The corner of my lip quirked and I hugged myself, feeling all the feels. Moth had staked his claim and he’d take care of me now. The man would do anything to help me thrive, I could already tell. And the sex…
Stepping closer, I ran a hand up his neck. “Why don’t we shower together?”
That possessive look returned, his eyes narrowed and his mouth slightly opened. He was about to reply when a knock sounded on the front door.
Placing his forehead against mine, he grinned. “Our food is here, but don’t worry, once we've eaten, I’m going to have you for dessert.”
He kissed my forehead and headed out, winking just before he left the room. I took one last glance at the photos and went into the bathroom next door, stepping under the hot stream of water. The blood started to slip from me and down the drain, taking my fear of Brandon with it. I could happily go back to my bookshop, and my club, and immerse myself in the world of books. Fuck, I’d even had my own dark romance experience.
Once clean, I left the bathroom with a towel wrapped around me. I couldn’t face putting my stinky bloodstained clothes on, so I searched in Moth’s drawers, taking out a big shirt with a pair of briefs. The material was baggy, enfolding me in his scent and giving me a hug.
Voices mumbled in the living area, so I went in search of the others. My stomach rumbled painfully as I entered the room where Moth and Spider were at the kitchenette island.
Wafts of Chinese food smacked my nostrils and I almost ran to the dishes that were sitting on the counter. Moth offered me a fork and I took it, instantly scooping a pile of noodles into my mouth.
“Oh wow,” I muttered when I’d swallowed. “That's the best tasting Chinese I’ve ever had.”
Moth flicked his eyebrows at Spider, who shrugged.
“So, you’re going to become a regular around here?” Spider stole a cracker, crunching it loudly as I raised my eyebrows at Moth.
“She’s one of us now.” Moth put a hand on my knee and squeezed.
Rolling his eyes, Spider brushed his hair off his shoulder and leaned on the counter. “Well, it’ll be nice to have some feminine energy around here. And the smile on Moth’s handsome face is a treat I didn’t know I needed. It’s just… Ant will want to know about the oath.”
“I’ll do it with you,” I announced, gulping the water that sat beside the food, “If it still goes ahead.”
Moth glared at me, his forehead creased so low, it almost touched the tip of his nose. Sort of. “Don’t be fucking…”
His sentence trailed off as the sound of running footsteps came from outside the door. Someone thumped the wood and Spider stepped over, throwing the door open.
“What the fuck?” Moth and Spider muttered at the same time.
Ant entered, his eyes wild and his breath puffing. “It’s Fly,” he blurted. “On the way home, we stopped to get a burger, but when I came back to the car… he was gone. A truck was driving away and I could hear him screaming. I tried to follow, but the bastards lost me.”
“Fuck!” We all muttered in unison.
“Do you know who it was?” Moth asked, now on his feet. “Any clues on the van or a registration?”
Ant put his hands on his hips and inhaled deeply. “Yeah, I ran the plate,” he said, his cheeks turning pink, “and it's registered to your fucking mother.”
“Fuck!” Moth shouted. “The cult has found us.”
“Which means just one thing…” Spider said, his voice strangely quiet.
Moth glanced at me before looking at his brothers, his fists clenched. “They’re going to kill each one of us, one by one.”