Chapter Twenty Three
Fly
She didn't fucking leave. In fact, she went straight to have a shower, telling me to get ready to tell her everything.
Except, that wasn't going to happen. She didn't need to know the gory details of what we did, just to save ourselves.
We were eighteen and so was the boy who had leaked stories about the compound.
We should've taken him with us instead of pushing him off the waterfall.
My stomach churned and I hobbled over to the window, leaning a hand against it to look out.
The town stretched out beneath me; the neighborhood houses big and the stores in the distance.
We'd been settled here for several years and I didn't want to jeopardize anything.
The idea of killing everyone in that building should've scared me, like it had when Chad had ordered us to kill the boy.
He was a regret that I couldn't shake and half the reason we had sought revenge ever since we'd left. We had to make amends for him.
“You're not dressed.” Moth's voice jolted me and I spun, staring at the others as they piled into the apartment.
Ant smirked as he picked up the saltshaker that had fallen on the floor. Shit, they’d probably heard us only moments before. How could I push Brit away now that they knew about us having sex?
“It's already on the news.” Spider grabbed up the remote and turned the TV on.
I glanced at Alia, who averted her gaze as she sat next to Moth. I liked the girl, and in the past, I wouldn't have cared about being mostly naked, but now? Now I had to respect the other woman in my home.
Sighing, I headed towards the archway, waving in dismissal when they called me back.
“Let me get some clothes on,” I said, almost bumping into Brit, who was on her way back in.
“I heard voices.”
I gripped her arms, stopping her from continuing. “You need to get dressed, they're all out there and I don't want them staring at you.”
“You don't?” She hugged her towel around herself, the gesture vulnerable.
Turning her, I pushed her into her room, tapping her butt as she went. She gasped and turned to look at me, a frown pulling on her forehead. Oh yeah, I was supposed to be pushing her away, not flirting with her.
“No one is allowed to stare at you.” I assumed my usual moody demeanor. “Or touch you.”
A smirk crossed her face before she sobered and slowly closed the door, blocking my view of her. Ah shit.
Trying not to read too much into it, I quickly got dressed and came back out, joining the others, who were waiting with the TV paused.
“Your friend has worked his magic.” Spider indicated that I sit, jumping up when Brit followed me out. “And you sit here. I can stand.”
Struggling over to the couch, I did as he said, not looking at Brit as she sat nearby. I had to stop thinking about her if I wanted a clear head. Thoughts of her swirled in my mind and I didn't know where to direct them.
“Ready?” Spider pressed play before anyone could answer him.
The news story came on with a picture of Brit's mucky clothes at the forefront of the screen.
Local special investigators are appealing for witnesses following the discovery of a female body in a river. These clothes are the only clues they have as to who the woman could've been. If you recognize these clothes, please ring the helpline shown.
“That's not a police number, is it?” Brit asked, her hands folded in her lap calmly. “Won't they try to find where this story has come from?”
Ant snorted and stood, stretching his long body. “Nah, we've got friends in the police, they're covering it for us.”
“Ant!” Moth interjected. “Let's not give away all our secrets.”
I smiled to myself as they bickered, arguing that everyone in the room was about to murder people together. They deserved to know that we were as protected by the police as Chad was.
“The number is a burner phone,” I said. “My friend who works with the cops will answer it if any calls come through. No doubt there'll be a few who think they've seen a girl or something similar. He'll handle it professionally.”
“Will your father ring in?” Alia asked Brit.
Everyone went quiet and stared at Brit, waiting for her answer. We’d known Chad for several years, but she'd known him her whole life.
Smiling sadly, Brit shook her head. “He wouldn't do anything. There's a slight chance he'll get his cop friend to ring to find out more information.”
“I figured that.” I glanced at her. “I told him to describe you if any cops ring him.”
“He's taking such a risk,” Brit said, shaking her head. “What does he gain?”
Most of us chuckled, confusing the poor women as they looked at one another.
“We're the type of men who do bad for the greater good.” Ant shrugged. “There's a few of us around who work together.”
Brit nodded her understanding while Alia clung to Moth's hand.
She'd been around more often when she wasn't at her bookstore, but I did worry that our reputation would taint her and her business.
Moth was discreet about their relationship, going to her dark romance events only.
That's what they'd told me since being back.
“So, what now?” Brit asked, inhaling when she looked at me for the answer. “We wait?”
Inclining my head, I agreed. “Yeah. We wait a few days, see if anything happens. If it stays quiet, we'll plan our attack for the end of the week.”
“If it stays quiet?” Moth raised his eyebrows. “So, if someone doesn’t try to kill you?”
Giving him a fake smile, I shrugged. “Exactly that. Right. I’ve got an errand to run, I’ll be back soon.”
I couldn’t sit in the same room as Brit anymore.
Her body gave me the most intense orgasms and her mind intrigued me.
The strength it must have taken her to go against her father’s teachings inspired me.
I just couldn’t handle the way she was getting under my skin or the powerful urge to protect her beyond any comprehension.
The others talked amongst themselves as I went to the cupboard by the front door, scooping out my helmet and keys. I thought about leaving my jacket behind, just in case they noticed me, but I grabbed it anyway. I was already injured, I didn’t want to do worse.
Without looking behind me, I slipped out, holding my crap in one hand and using my crutch with the other. I would be extra careful, making sure to keep my leg completely still on the bike. I had to ride, to clear my head.
I almost tripped down the step, only just managing to right myself before I fell.
The darkness inside me was swirling, protesting against the feelings that were developing for Brit.
We’d sworn to stay single in order to carry out our plan.
We had to kill all those who had harmed us and led to the death of Moth’s twin, my brother by another mother. Except, Moth had broken the rule first.
“Fuck!” I swore as I bumped into the door frame.
Everything in me wanted to burn down the compound with Chad inside it, to hurt those who had hurt Brit as well as my brothers. Except, I was fucking useless with my leg still healing. Completely fucking useless.
Going around the corner of the house, I entered the garage, sighing when I saw my baby. Moth had cleaned her black body so she shone for me. It had been weeks since I’d ridden her and at least this type of ride would come with no complicated emotions. In fact, it would clear my head.
I dumped the crutch, stroking the length of my baby girl. She was a powerful Suzuki Hayabusa and took me on the smoothest of rides. She’d saved me, just by helping me calm my nerves, several times.
My insides lightened as I pulled on my leather jacket, feeling it hug my muscles tight. I was about to tug on my helmet when the garage door creaked and I looked over, freezing as the light that entered highlighted Brit’s hair like a halo.
“Fly?” Her voice was cautious but laced with a warning. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Ah fuck it, she had no power over me. I could do whatever the fuck I wanted. “Going for a ride.”
“No you’re not!”
Her sharp retort forced my willpower to defy her. She had a way of trying to control me, which was quite adorable, considering she never would.
Ignoring her, I tugged on my helmet, threw my bad leg over the bike and sat, smiling when the beauty swelled between my thighs. Brit was beside me as I fired the engine, grinning underneath my helmet when she jumped.
Her flushed cheeks drew me to her, but I pushed her away, not wanting to give in.
“Fly!” Brit's face screwed up in frustration. “Will you stop?”
“Stop what?” I snapped. “I just need to clear my head.”
“Stop pushing me away.”
I reached for my keys, pressing the button to open the garage. As soon as the door was open, I would be gone. I couldn't stand the pleading in her eyes or the beauty of her skin. The bitch was getting to me and it was driving me insane.
“Fine.” She stepped back, throwing her leg up and somehow positioning herself behind me.
I sat up, turning my head to try and look at her. She stayed upright, clinging to my leather jacket. Fucking woman.
Moth's helmet sat on the counter next to us. I could either throw her off the bike, risking her hurting herself before blasting away, or I could accept that the annoying wench was coming for a ride.
Growling in frustration, I snatched up the helmet and held it out for her. Defiantly, she placed it straight on her head. Of course, she wasn't dressed for a motorbike, so now, I had to take it easy. What was she trying to do to me?
I pushed thoughts of her out of my head and set off, riding straight out of the garage and onto the road. The streets were quiet as we set off, winding down them until we reached the edge of the city and the open road.