Bulletproof

Chapter 27 Briar

brIAR

The party is in the same location, and it’s every bit as grand as it was the first time. Only now the weather has grown quite a bit colder and the larches have started to turn yellow.

I inhale the crisp air and grip the edge of Roman’s jacket. His steps falter, and he stops and turns to look at me. The dullness in his gaze could carve my heart out.

“Did I do something wrong?” I manage to get the words out before clenching my jaw and looking at the ground. “I’m scared to do this tonight, and you’re not making me feel better about it by pushing me away.”

Roman’s eyes widen, and the light seeps back into them. He bends and presses a kiss to my forehead. “Sorry for being a dick in the war room. I’m… Fuck, I don’t know. I spoke to our commanding general, and it put me in a shit place in my head,” he says with a guilty tone.

My gaze falters, and I let it shift to the bonfire that’s just now catching flame.

“You could’ve told me that you’d be leaving.”

“No, I couldn’t.”

I look up at him, and he stares down at me.

“Can we make the best of it until then?” he asks and curls a few fingers around mine.

I put on a fake smile. “Of course.”

We make our way up toward the party to join the others. We have a mission to see through, after all.

“Do you think I’ll make it across the ocean? Or do you think I’ll drown?” I swallow my emotions and shove them down into my stomach.

Roman slows until he brings us to a stop, not yet to the crowd that’s already half drunk and the bumping, loud music that vibrates through my bones.

His eyes are cold and distant as he stares at something far away.

“This world is dark. Greedy. It’s so starved for bright little things like you.

The Dark Forces taught me that.” He lets his words trail off as his attention shifts back to me.

“You’ll make it, but you’ll have to swim like you did at the lake. ”

I nod and consider my words. “Will I have baggage like I did at the lake?” I tease and give him a wry smile.

That pulls his lovely laugh out from his chest and makes my cheeks warm.

“Nothing to hold you back, no.” He quickly turns his head, tugs my hand, and leads me into the party. The moment he’s not looking, I let the pain ebb into my expression.

Alone. I’m always alone in the end.

There are at least twice as many people here than there were before. I’m a little shocked but at the same time, there must be a dozen other small towns around this one that have nothing to do but join the one giant party Bane Falls throws every weekend.

The smell of smoke, beer, and a variety of perfumes mingles around a group of people dancing.

Kegs are on the ground, and beer cans are lined up on tables where people grab what they need before returning to the grind fest. I spot the one cop in Bane Falls here, dressed in casual wear while tossing alcohol beverages to people who put their hands up.

I only recognize him because I saw his picture in the auto shop, pinned up in the war room identifying him as Sheriff Murray.

“And they say Murray isn’t vital to this town,” I say sarcastically, trying to stay rooted in the moment and have as much fun as I can tonight.

Roman chuckles. “Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was in on the underworld’s presence in his town.” There’s not a lick of humor in his tone.

Now that he mentions it, it would make sense. What kind of a police station shuts down at eight p.m.?

“There you guys are. I thought we’d already lost you!” John shoots me a wink and slaps Roman on the shoulder. I have to admit, they put on a great show of being normal. It fooled me when I first met them. I’d never guess that they had bulletproof vests on under their coats.

Roman groans and gives him a death glare, but that only makes John more eager to piss him off. Taylor lingers at his side and has an entertained look on his face.

“Let’s go dance, Briar.” John takes my hand and pulls me toward the thick crowd of moving bodies. It’s warmer in the center, near the fire, and the music is just as electrifying as it was before.

Although I do have to admit, it’s much more fun with people to dance with.

John flirts with his eyes more than anything else, but he lets his hands move down my sides a few times. Taylor and Gale are dancing with some girls nearby, and Bensen is in a heated conversation with a group of people. Perhaps some friends he’s made while being here?

I can’t help but feel bad that Roman is watching us all have a good time from the sidelines, arms crossed tightly and a dangerous scowl planted firmly on his face.

I wade through bodies and grab his hand, pulling him into the horde against his will. “Briar. I’m not dancing,” he whispers with a glare.

My smile is as mischievous as it is curious at how far I can push him. I pass the squad and drag Roman into the thickest part of the crowd, where everyone is chest to chest grinding and dancing with half their minds.

“Who said anything about dancing?” I tease, turning around and lifting the back of my skirt up enough for him to see my thong.

Roman swallows, and his pupils dilate. “Fuck, you are wild, Squirt.” He chuckles as he pulls me closer, holding my hips against his tightly. “I’m going to show you what’s really crazy.”

He unzips his pants and moves my underwear out of the way, groaning when he feels how wet I am already. Roman grinds behind me, teasing my ass with his cock. We’re so packed in here that no one would be able to see what we’re doing unless they were paying attention.

Roman lines himself up with my entrance, stretching my undies to the side as he thrusts into me with one sharp movement.

I cry out, but the sound gets swallowed whole by all the other people laughing, singing, yelling.

The music leaves nothing left of our moans as we fuck in the crowd.

The bass of the song vibrates my chest. This is true ecstasy.

My adrenaline is piqued, and I can’t help but want more. It’s fucking addicting pushing the limits with him. And he doesn’t give a shit, he just keeps going to greater heights and pushing past where I think he’ll draw the line.

My skirt is up and long enough that no one would know we’re actually fucking unless they were watching closely at how hard Roman’s railing into me from behind. He’s gripping my hips so aggressively, burying his fingers into my flesh and pounding my ass with a force.

“Oh fuck, it hurts,” I moan, knees turning in toward each other.

Roman chuckles, wrapping his hand around my neck so he can murmur in my ear, “But you love it rough. You like when my fat cock fills you so much that it hurts, don’t you, Squirt?” My head bobs up and down lewdly as he ruts into me.

“Fuck yes, I’m addicted to you,” I mumble as my eyes roll to the back of my head and he pumps into me once more before I’m coming on his dick so violently that my cheeks turn red.

He stops humping and comes deep into my pussy, growling as he rests his head against the back of mine. “You’re fucking milking me dry, Squirt,” he moans.

My eyes are heavy as I scan the crowd to make sure no one’s looking. As suspected, no one is even looking our way or has any idea what he just did. I smile and bite the corner of my lip. That was the most exhilarating thing I’ve ever done.

Roman slowly pulls his dick from me and slides my thong back into place.

I frown and shift uncomfortably. “It’s all wet. I’m just going to take it off,” I complain as I move my hands to pull them down.

Roman catches my hands and spins me so we’re looking into each other’s eyes. A dark flicker moves across his gaze that makes my breath catch in my lungs.

“You’ll do no such thing. You’re going to keep my seed snug inside you with your soaked panties, Briar, or I’ll put something in you to plug it up.” His threat only makes my core ache again, and I moan a little into his kiss. Why is that so hot? I don’t question it—I just lean into his embrace.

“So volatile,” I murmur against his lips.

He smiles and chuckles. “I’m only a man, Squirt.”

Yeah, one who can kill people with no remorse.

Roman’s pocket vibrates and he pulls out his phone, sparing it a short glance before dropping it back into his pocket. “Sutherland is by the beer table.” He moves my hair behind my ear gently before readjusting my skirt. “Ready? I’ll be watching the entire time.”

I nod nervously and turn to head toward the beer station. My stomach churns as I get closer. Grahm’s talking to a few other men, so I stop at the edge of the table and act like I’m looking for a drink.

I glance back to where Roman and I were just “dancing” and find no sign of him. Nor do I see any of the others. They must already be in position.

This better work. I’m putting everything on the line for them. I fist my hands at my sides and take a steadying breath.

“Hey, Thornton.”

The hair on the back of my neck bristles as Grahm’s voice settles over me like fog. It’s been a few weeks since I last heard his voice, and the last time I saw him he was getting out of the truck that started the attack in the field.

Reluctantly, I turn and give him a small smile. “Hey, Grahm.”

His soft light-brown hair is styled just like it was last time. There’s no evidence of bruises or cuts from last week, which means he must’ve gotten away unscathed.

I feel guilty for being relieved that he didn’t get hurt. Especially when Gale did. But he’s not someone I want to die, even if he’s a bad person.

He gives me that easy smile and leans casually up against the trunk of a pine tree. “You never texted me like you said you would,” he says with a playful lift of his brow as he passes me a beer as a sort of peace offering.

I take it and hold it with both hands like it’s a comfort drink. There’s no way of knowing if he was at the lake that night, so I decide to leave it vague. “Yeah, I dropped my phone in the lake right after we got there.”

Grahm’s brows knit together, and he purses his lips. “Really? That sucks.” A silent beat rolls between us. Both of our attention turns to the dancing crowd. “I’m glad you’re all right.” He leaves his comment open to interpretation. Does he really think I didn’t see him in the field?

I decide to cut straight to the point and not dance around this. “I have a message for Callum.” I don’t let my eyes lift from a glint I spot in the dark boughs on the other side of the fire.

Grahm flinches and, after taking a moment to consider my words, mumbles, “What is your message?”

“Tell him I want to talk about what he did that night. Tell him I…” God, it’s like swallowing knives. “Tell him that I still love and miss him. I don’t care what he’s gotten himself into. Tell him that we can work it out together.”

Grahm just stares at me, eyes narrowing with suspicion. “I’ll pass your message on.” He turns to leave.

“Wait, how will I know what his answer is?”

He looks over his shoulder at me and shrugs. “You’ll know. He’ll make sure of it.” That’s fucking ominous as hell.

I think back to the grocery store and how messed up Hailey was.

I haven’t seen her here tonight, and if Roman is right, she’s already left town.

I can’t let Grahm get off free from that.

Before he can get too far, I shout, “I know what you did to Hailey. And I wouldn’t be surprised if you get a taste of your own medicine. ”

Grahm turns and casts a look over his shoulder at me, giving me an empty gaze that holds no answers. I take a deep breath and turn around to look for Roman, but he’s already waiting for me a few yards away behind a group of people.

“Delivered,” I grumble, pissed off from my short conversation with Grahm. I can’t believe my uncle didn’t see all his shortcomings. Or maybe my uncle was a part of the underworld too. The thought is depressing.

Is there anyone in my life who doesn’t have some dark secret?

Why should it stop here? It’s not like I can come clean and tell Roman my real name now after waiting all this time.

Though, I know he’d understand, given what I went through with Callum.

He knows my pain more than anyone else ever could.

But it’s been a while, and he might be hurt at how long I’ve waited.. I just got him to start opening up. I don’t want that to go away. I grit my teeth as I approach him. I’ll tell him as soon as this mission is over. We will apparently be going our separate ways anyway.

I’m hoping we can have a little fun tonight. Well, more than we’ve already had. My cheeks warm. I can’t believe we had sex in public. I giggle, and Roman quirks a brow at me.

“What’s so funny?” he asks with a stern expression.

I shake my head. “Our dance.”

He cracks a smile and shakes his head at me. “I’m guessing the conversation with Grahm went well then?” Roman extends his hand, and I happily take it.

“Like a charm. He said that we’ll know when we get the answer.” A chill crawls up my spine. The ominous statement still doesn’t sit well with me.

Roman grunts. “Well that was all we needed to do tonight. Let’s have a drink and then wait for the race to start?” He grins as I hand him the beer I’ve been holding, and he pops the lid.

I smile and take in the crisp evening for what it is. “Sounds like fun. Too normal of fun for someone like you, don’t you think?” I tease.

Roman takes a few gulps before laughing. “Ah, that’s where you’re wrong, Briar. I know how to have a good time.”

I give him a skeptical scowl. “Since when? You’re the grumpiest guy I’ve ever met. Like an old man keeping tabs on everyone at all times and only letting loose when we’re alone.” I pout when he finishes the can and tosses it in a bin.

“I’ll get you a new one.” He laughs and starts walking toward the beer table. “And did you seriously just call me a grumpy old man?” he calls back at me.

A laugh breaks loose from my lips, and I nod. “Yeah, I did.”

Icarus spots us as I’m taking the first sip of the beer Roman got for me.

Gale is already half drunk, which is impossible to distinguish because his only tell is getting really chatty. Taylor and Bensen are in high spirits too. It’s nice to see them happy. It’s been a lot of doom and gloom at the auto shop, nonstop training and planning for this mission.

I wonder if they’ll be able to enjoy their lives after Bane Falls.

Will I? I’ve already grown so attached to the idea of them in my future. Thinking about my life after… It seems as pointless as when I got here. Just a girl trying to survive the dark world and monsters within it.

John glances down at me and grins. “Told you it’d be safe here. As long as we stick together, we’re unbreakable.”

I nod and smile as he brings me in for a hug. His cinnamon scent wraps around me, and for a stupid few hours, I believe that everything will be fine.