Chapter 22
“This is what I need to tell you, Lux.” Jo says, grabbing ahold of my hand from across the island.
“What do you mean?” I ask, looking from her to the guys and back.
“Well, so” she begins to say but gets caught off by Mr Death Stare.
“Look, my brothers told our uncle about you and your situation. So when Jo moved across the street, my brothers asked for you to be placed here, especially after your last place.” he smirks. “So why don’t you just say thank you.”
“You don’t have to be a dick, Zin.” Atticus growls.
The guy I now know as Zin glares at him, then me before turning and walking back out the door.
“Sorry about that, princess. You already know everyone, well, except for me and my brother. My name is Harlan. And that is Marzin, but he goes by Zin..”
He looks just like Zin except Harlan has a little cut in his brow. It”s tiny so you wouldn’t be able to notice it unless he is up close to you.
Looking over at Jo, “You had a say in this?”
“I told you, I needed you, and when we talked that day, I knew I had to try and do something.” She says, smiling at me as she comes around the island, pulling me into her arms and squeezing me into a hug.
“Thank you.” I whisper into her ear as I reach up and wipe the tears from my cheeks. I hear footsteps and I tense up, realizing it must be Zin.
“Are we done now? We have a meeting to get to and we can’t be late.” Zin says.
“Look dickhead. I’m sure you don’t have to hold their hands. They are big boys, you know.” Jo says, glaring Zin down. If they start throwing hands, my money is on Jo all the way.
“You have a fucking mouth on you.” Zin says. “One day someone is going to shut it for you.” He walks past and heads up the stairs.
“The day you want to test that theory, let me know. I’ll gladly put you on your ass!” Jo yells up to him.
“Jo, its alright. I am stepping in and clearly ruining their plans.” I tell her.
“There’s no plans to ruin, Babygirl.” Stone interrupts., walking into the kitchen.
“Aluxis.” I look over, and Cade is standing there with his arms crossed over his chest. “We wanted to help, that’s it.” He shrugs, putting his arms down. “Alright, boys. We got shit to do.” Cade announces. He takes off towards the stairs as the guys all follow him.
“Wait.” Stopping them in their tracks.”I have a couple of questions.” I say as. As Cade turns back towards the stairs. “Please.”
He sighs, turning and walking back over towards me. “Ask.” He says, sitting down in the chair next to me.
“I thought Cherryville was for the uh, not rich people.” I say, pulling my bottom lip in with my teeth. It”s one of my habits when I get nervous.
“That’s not a question. One more. You can ask more another day.” His eyes pull from looking at my lips to my eyes.
“Okay. When will your parents be here?” Cade gets up, slamming the chair against the floor and heads up the stairs.
Looking around, locking eyes with each of the guys. “What did I say?”
“We don’t have parents, Princess. We have an uncle, and he won’t be back anytime soon.” Harlan says, heading up the stairs.
“Welcome home, babygirl.” Stone says with a wink, taking off.
“Lux. It”s going to be okay. You’re safe here. You will be here by yourself on most days. Plus Jo isn’t too far away. Just don’t let these animals ruin your night.” Atticus smiles, as he reaches into the pocket of his jeans, pulling out some cash and handing it to me.
“What”s this for?” I ask, looking down at the money and back to him.
“It will be a late night so the cash is for dinner.” He says, smiling and showing me his dimples.
“Uh.” I say, lost for words because I don’t know how I’m going to pay him back.
“Here, I’ll take it and get us some food.” Jo says, reaching over and taking the money from Atti and stuffing it in her shirt.
“Call or text if you need anything,” He walks over, and kisses the top of my head. “Welcome home.”
Laying in bed, I reach over to pick up my cell, checking the time. It’s eight-thirty which means the guys have been gone for over three hours. I wonder what kind of meeting they had to rush off to. I have so many questions for them. Jo got a text that she had to be home because of curfew. She is going to sneak over later, if she can. Just as I go to lay the phone down, it beeps, alerting me to a text.
Stone: Did you eat, babygirl?
Me: Maybe
I know it”s Stone because I already picked up on his nickname for me. He gives me playful vibes and I love it because I could use all the laughs.
Stone: Don’t make me spank your ass.
The thought of him spanking me sends a chill down my spine. Would I like it? I can already tell I want to try it out.
Stone: Babygirl?
Stone: You there?
Stone: BABY GIRL!
Oh shit. Wiping the drool from the side of my mouth, I go to respond. Just then a call comes through, looking down, I see its Atti.
“Hello.” I say, hearing growling coming from the phone.
“Lux. You okay?” He asks.
“She better fucking be.” I hear Cade say.
“Yeah.” I say.
“Why didn’t you text Stone back?” He asked me.
“Sorry, I was just thinking of something and got a little distracted.” I say as my voice cracks a little.
“What the hell did you text her, man.” I hear chuckling.
“We will be home soon,” he says.
After getting off the phone with Atticus I must have fallen asleep. In my sleepy haze, I roll over in bed to check the time and a scream rips from my throat. At the end of my bed, is the shadow of someone standing there.