Chapter 17 Jo
seventeen
Jo
Hayden leans his head against the window of the delivery van as we exit the restaurant parking lot. “I mean, really, I feel like that went about as well as it could have.”
Sam snorts from the driver’s seat. “I guess at the end of the day, we each got what we wanted, huh? Except Mikhail, of course, and Kole, who got a little extra.”
It’s mostly true, actually. Mikhail is dead. After Alexei plunged a knife into his heart, they all spoke at length about what the blood oath means now that Kole has finally been set free of the tethers of the Russian Mafia.
I still don’t have answers about Mama, but maybe I never will. Maybe it was a freak accident. But Daddy’s words from that night never stop echoing in my mind.
“What was she doin' home? She was supposed to be at work. You were supposed to be home."
But now Daddy is dead, and I didn’t try to get the truth from him like I wanted to.
“Extra,” Kole spits, venom in his voice. “He is under strict orders to stay the fuck away from me and support my brothers while they transition to power. That is the best way that he can uphold his loyalty.”
My hand reaches over and squeezes his knee.
“Do you wanna talk about it? That was a lot of information thrown at you in the span of an hour.” Between finding out that Alexei not only wasn’t responsible for his mama's death but that he was supposed to die that day too, and being told that the man who worked him to the bone as he was growing up was in love with his mama, I’m sure his head is spinning.
“Perhaps later.” His eyes soften as he lays his hand over mine. “Just being near you helps, even though I cannot scent you.”
“I hate that,” Sam grumbles, and both West and Hayden mumble in agreement.
“As soon as we get home, I’ll rinse off all this de-scenter and then we can have a big cuddle party, hm?
” I grin, leaning my head against his shoulder.
I’m very excited to see my completed nest in all of its glory.
Hayden promised Maeve he’d record my reaction like an episode of Extreme Nest Makeover.
Then tomorrow Declan will feed the information of Richard Pierce’s demise to the press, and we can take one more step towards taking down Xavier.
“Maybe I will join you in the shower,” Kole murmurs, pressing a kiss to my hair.
“Maybe I’ll let you,” I sigh, letting my eyes flutter closed.
My jaw drops when we enter my nest. The walls have been painted, and I know I must have Mabel to thank for the soft string lights that line the ceiling like a sky full of stars. The color complements the cream and beige items of my nest, making the space feel perfectly serene.
It’ll be the perfect place to have my heat.
“Damn,” West lets out a low whistle. “They sure made the place look swanky.”
“Swanky?” Hayden snorts, “What are you, like…eighty?”
West frowns. “I liked you better when you were only making fun of Sam.”
Sam barks a laugh as he claps West on the shoulder. “Yeah, but then I reminded him that we’re the same age.”
“Y’all better play nice while I’m cleanin’ up,” I arch a brow, kicking off my shoes and walking to the bathroom.
Something on the nightstand catches my eye.
“Well, lookee here, someone left us a little congratulations present.” And, it looks like whoever it is is babysitting too, considering they’ve moved Turnip’s little shelter back in from the room we were staying in before we left, with a note that reads, “Gone to Uncle Declan’s house. Paint fumes are not good for rats.”
Kole walks over and picks up the bottle of vodka that is nestled in a bucket of ice on the table, reading the note attached to the neck. “‘Kole, welcome to the ‘I killed my dad’ club. Signed, Declan.’”
My hand flies up to cover my mouth as I try to hold back a horrified laugh. “I’m gonna kill him.”
Nevermind the fact that Kole didn’t use his own hands to end his father’s life—he ordered his bloodsworn to. But, in the eyes of the Families, it is the same thing.
“Why?” Kole tilts his head in question before shrugging. “It is Russian vodka, good quality.” As if to illustrate his point, he twists off the cap and takes a swig straight from the bottle. He doesn’t even blink as he holds it out to me. “You are also a part of the ‘I killed my dad club’.”
I suppose, even if he wasn’t my biological father. So, I take the bottle from him and take a small sip. It goes down surprisingly smooth, and has a slightly creamy texture. “Wow.” I look down at the bottle in surprise. “That’s a far cry from the bottom shelf swill I’m used to.”
Sam walks over, taking the bottle. I’m about to whine at him for ruining our fun when he also takes a drink. “Good quality alcohol doesn’t really burn.” He looks down at the bottle before taking another sip. “Fuck, that is smooth.”
Hayden bounces on the balls of his feet. “Shit, are we getting wasted?” he asks excitedly, grinning wide.
My body goes warm and fuzzy as Kole takes the bottle back from Sam and swallows down some more.
I suppose he needs it after the events of today.
The way his throat bobs has me squeezing my thighs together, and Sam’s nose twitches as a smirk pulls at his lips.
“Oh? Do we not need to worry about washing off that de-scenter after all?”
Kole lowers the bottle, wiping his mouth. His eyes are dark as he prowls towards me. My lip catches under my top teeth, and when he reaches me, tipping my chin up, my breath catches in my throat. “Would you like some, Lisichka?” he rumbles, and before I know what I’m doing, I’m nodding my head.
“Then open up.” He smirks, lifting the bottle to his lips and taking a small amount inside before closing his mouth and leaning towards me.
Oh, fuck. Is he…?
His hand collars the front of my neck as he presses his mouth to mine, opening his lips and letting the vodka pour down my throat.
Groans sound around me.
“Fuck, Fireball, will you do that to me?” Hayden nearly whines, making my panties even wetter. I do love me a desperate alpha.
Warmth starts to coat my insides, making me feel light and floaty.
“Gods, that was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.
” West runs a hand over his face. “Alright, give it here,” he holds his hand out to Kole, who hands over the bottle with a grin.
West holds the vodka by the neck, swallowing roughly before wiping his mouth off.
“If we’re gonna do this, we’re gonna do it right.
Hayden, unzip Siren and help her get out of the dress, then you can have some of this top-shelf shit.
Sam, make sure there are no omegas or visitors lingering, then make sure the front door is locked.
Kole…” he sighs like he can’t believe the words that are about to come out of his mouth. “Give our omega another drink.”
Things move so quickly, I don’t really get the chance to process the fact that my beta just handed out orders and everyone took them like they were candy.
Hayden’s fingers immediately find my zipper, and while he pulls it down, sending goosebumps down my spine, Kole takes possession of the bottle again, and gets ready to put another shot in my mouth.
This time, the vodka pours down my throat, and I swallow, but Kole’s tongue follows immediately after, swirling around mine as he kisses me breathless.
I pull away, gasping for breath. More sweet fuzziness takes over as the drink kicks in, and I smile at my alphas. “No more for now.” My words kind of sound like they’re coming from outside my body. I’m fully aware of what’s happening, even if the world is a bit light and floaty. But I feel…free.
Unburdened.
My dress falls to the ground in a puddle at my feet, and Kole’s eyes flash nearly black when he sees what I’m wearing underneath.
Which would be a big, fat, nothing.
“Naughty girl,” he growls, grabbing my ass and lifting me up so my legs wrap around his waist. “Wearing nothing under that sinful dress while out to dinner with my brothers.”
My finger traces the scar that runs down his left eyebrow and across his nose. “Mmm. I had a feelin’ we’d end up here, though. Not gettin’ drunk off a bottle of Russian vodka, but with me naked in one of y’all’s arms.”
“Or all of ours.” I don’t have time to place the voice before a set of plush lips brush my bare shoulder.
“She liked that, Doctor,” Kole grins down at me. “Do it again.” My skin erupts in goosebumps as the same lips brush against my other shoulder, and a hand caresses my bare ass.
West.
“Man, I’ve been dying to try out a fivesome,” Hayden mutters, coming to my left. His cheeks are flushed from the alcohol, his gaze roaming over my body. I gasp when deft fingers slip between me and Kole, brushing my clit.
Hayden’s hands are skimming my waist though, so that means…
I whip my head to the other side to see Sam, a hungry look in his eyes as his fingers brush my clit again. “We’re all alone, and the house is secure.”
With Kole in front of me, West behind me, and Sam and Hayden on either side, I’m surrounded.
“Oh,” I breathe out, my heart rate picking up as the reality of the situation kicks in. We haven’t done more than two at a time so far, but I’d be lying if I said the idea didn’t live rent-free in my mind.
“What do you think, Siren?” West murmurs in my ear, sending a wave of goosebumps across my flesh.
“I think…” I bite my lip, their scents swirling around me as I meet the eyes of each of my guys. Kole’s icy blues, seeing right through me as always. Hayden’s inviting hazels, never hiding how much he wants me. Sam’s warm brown gaze, making me feel safe.
When I look over my shoulder at West, his honey brown eyes truly seeing me, need hits me like a damn freight train.
“I think it would be a shame for the first time all of us are together to be durin’ my heat.” I swallow roughly as Kole’s hands tighten on my ass. “And…I want to bond with the rest of you tonight. I don’t want to wait for my heat—I want it now.”
The words are barely out of my mouth before Kole is taking off, me still in his arms as he near-sprints to the bed. A shrieking laugh leaves me, as West, Hayden, and Sam mutter something about thieving giants.
When he flops me on the bed, stepping back to tear off his clothes, I can’t help but eye his perfectly sculpted body. Between their scents surrounding me, and the way my omega has settled at the sight of my new nest, it couldn’t be more perfect.
“You are sure?” he asks, stepping out of his pants, and then his boxers. “You want to bond with me?”
“Sugar Bear.” I sit up on my elbows, my eyes landing on the rest of my guys as they approach the bed and start undressing, “I’ve wanted to bond you since before we left Thornfield. You’re mine.”
He crawls over me, wasting no time as he lines his cock up with my entrance. “You never said anything.”
My arms reach up to wrap around his neck.
“I…” I gasp as he slides inside, stretching me deliciously.
“You…you didn’t either.” A moan leaves me as he slides out and back in, completely disregarding the fact I’m trying to talk.
“I…already…ah! Forced Hayden into a bond, I wanted to make sure…you wanted it—fuck! Without me bringin’ it up. ”
He smirks down at me, and his lips part, but then my head is turned roughly to the side, Hayden’s punishing kiss meeting my lips. The move is so out of character, I’m momentarily speechless. Kole ceases his movements, even though he’s still inside of me.
“Don’t you ever say you forced me into a bond.
” His voice is unusually stern as he meets my eyes, and I can feel his sincerity through the bond like a damn battering ram.
“I chose you, didn’t I? I bit you once, and then I bit you again after we escaped.
You’re mine, and I’m yours. I’ll bite you a third time if that’s what it takes to prove that I want you, I choose you, and I wasn’t fucking forced into anything.
” His dominance bleeds out of him like he can’t hold it in, and when Kole, still inside me, grabs Hayden by the back of the neck, forcing their foreheads together, something in him eases.
Kole’s dominance isn’t directed at me, but I can still tell he’s letting out a steady stream. Hayden’s shoulders relax somewhat. “Calm, Bratishka,” Kole orders as Hayden’s eyes flutter closed. “She knows how you feel.”
Hayden’s eyes open, and he takes a deep breath, nodding at Kole before turning back to me. “Sorry, Fireball.” He leans forward, and Kole slowly continues his thrusting in and out as Hayden’s mouth meets mine in a much more gentle kiss.
“That was intimate for two guys who aren’t into each other.” Sam notes, climbing into the bed.
“Leave the psychology to me, Sam.” West rolls his eyes.
“Hayden’s never had to keep his alpha under control since he had only been presented for a year before Thornfield started injecting him.
Hayden’s naturally submissive nature combined with Kole’s exorbitant amount of dominance means that Kole can help him keep it in check without it straining their relationship. ”
Kole pauses, huffing a breath. He sits up on his knees, looking at Sam. “If you are not secure in your masculinity, just say so.”
Hayden snorts.
Growling, I get back up on my elbows. Kole is halfway inside me, and I’m a needy mess. “If ya’ll are done with the smart-ass comments, psycho analyzin’ and arguin’, I’d really like to get fucked by all my mates now.”