Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
Freya
G ripping the steering wheel tightly, I unleash a series of forceful blows with my fist. He couldn’t resist mentioning my mother, that jerk. I want to go back there and smash his face into his desk until he takes his last breath. I hate him. I hate him.
It was he who shaped my mother into the woman she has become, tearing her away from us, and now he’s repeating the same pattern with my brother. While he insists on not knowing his whereabouts, it is hard to believe anything can happen without his awareness. Without his final say. He’s wrong, my brother isn’t dead. I’d know if he was. He can’t be. No, I won’t even think that for a second. He’s out there somewhere just waiting for me to find him, then we can leave this fuck hole and start fresh. Just like we planned.
Fuck Dominic Hendrix. Fuck The Daring Brotherhood. Fuck anyone who gets in my way.
As I drive around town, the absence of noise on the streets stands out, especially when compared to the liveliness found over the tracks, making it difficult to locate any sign of Alec. Inside their grand mansions, everyone stays cozy with their heaters and enjoys delicious home-cooked dinners. Fucking entitled pricks. I find myself outside their gated community again, my heart racing. Without hesitation, I snatch the lighter and the bottle of vodka that Lucas left in the car.
With the engine still humming, I cautiously exit the vehicle, bringing the bottle to my lips and taking a long sip. Then I drench Gage’s car with the rest of it. This is stupid, reckless, and a little immature, but I need to do something. Anything to feel some kind of release. Tonight was a new level of fuckery. I helped kill someone—someone I hate with a passion, but it still didn’t make it feel any better. He had a life, then I took it from him. No matter how much of a lowlife asshole he was, I took it all away.
One second he was here, and the next—gone. Just like that. If I hear someone say those words again, I’ll crack.
The gates swing open and blinding headlights pierce through the darkness, revealing a familiar figure approaching.
“What the fuck?” Standing in front of his car, Gage lets out a roar that echoes through the air.
With a loud thud, the bottle slips through my fingers and meets the unforgiving ground, instantly shattering into an intricate mosaic of shards.
Watching the flame flicker in the darkness, I bring the lighter up to my face, its warm glow contrasting with the cool night air. I feel the comforting heat of the flame on my face, and I’m spellbound, completely absorbed in its mesmerizing dance for several heartbeats.
A large shadow appears in front of me. Hazen grabs my shoulders and shakes me, but I can’t feel anything. Voices echo in the background, but their words are muffled by the incessant ringing in my ears.
With a gentle touch, he covers my hand, guiding my thumb away from the trigger of the lighter before taking it from me. I let him, losing all the fight I have. With a forceful motion, he throws it to the ground and immediately pulls me into his arms. Collapsing into his embrace, I am surrounded by the soothing scent of sandalwood emanating from his chest.
Our surroundings fade away, leaving only the two of us. I hold on to his comforting warmth as if I’m cocooned in a soft, protective blanket. He gently rubs my back up and down, providing a soothing touch. My body melts into his, and I allow it. Just for now. I need this and I’ll use him to give that to me. I hate them, but why are those words becoming harder and harder to believe? Despite being the most feared men in Daring, they somehow manage to make me feel safe. Because I’m just like them. I’m a killer. The once-confined monster has finally been unleashed from its cage. There’s no turning back, and I won’t give up until my brother is safe.
We stay like this, in silence, for what seems like both a second and a lifetime. While a storm rages inside me, Hazen simply holds me, providing a sense of calm amidst the chaos. I don’t want to understand what’s going on because that means going deeper, unlocking all the shit I buried so far down inside me. I need to forget what happened tonight. The piercing scream from Gavin as my knife slid across his neck. Watching him take his final breath and leave forever. I have to bury it with the rest of my trauma and forget. For Alec. I have to make him my focus and I can’t do that wallowing in regret. It will distract me, and I can’t afford to have any distractions.
Eventually, I pull away, and the world around us comes back into focus. Gage has vanished, and his car that I drenched in alcohol along with him. Lucas leans back against his car, his unwavering gaze fixed on me, observing my every move. The lights from the gate and security box cast a bright glow on him and his car.
“You good, little thorn?” he asks as he brings a joint to his lips and lights it up, the flickering flame casting a warm glow on his face.
I shrug. “No one’s ever good, but yeah, I feel a little better.”
Lucas nods before smirking. “You should have seen the look on Gage’s face when you left with his car. He doesn’t let anyone drive it, and now he’s probably at the car wash getting rid of the mess you made.”
Laughter bubbles up from within me, making my chest rumble and tears spring to my eyes. Fuck, that feels good.
“Can you drive me home, please?” I ask Lucas, and he shakes his head.
“You’re staying at my place tonight.”
“But—”
He hands me the joint and I take it. “No buts. I’m not driving you home tonight—it’s late as fuck and I need you with me.”
As the smoke hits the back of my throat and my body grows lax, I decide against arguing. I can’t be bothered. My only desire is to sink into a soft bed, drift off to sleep, and leave everything behind.
I pass the joint back to Lucas as we get into his car. Not long after, I lean my head against the headrest, my eyelids grow heavy and the world fades away.
I wake to strong arms encircling my waist, and I am pressed back against a comforting, warm chest. I turn around, groaning, and blink my eyes a few times before finding myself face to face with Lucas. His eyes are closed and his face is relaxed. I frown. What the fuck am I doing here with him?
I’m conflicted because I feel protected with him as if nothing can touch me, and it’s messed up. I finally slept through the night without any disturbances; there were no nightmares or sounds of someone attempting to break into the house.
Rolling back over, I lean into Lucas’s warm body and close my eyes. It’s nearly pitch black in here, and I can’t tell whether it’s day or night. Since I don’t have to work until tonight, I plan on spending the day searching for Alec. I reached out to him last night, assuring him everything is fine, the debt has been settled, and he can come out of hiding so we can go.
He didn’t reply.
Why didn’t he tell me before he disappeared? I could have helped him.
Lucas shifts behind me, his arm around me tightening, and his touch is warm against my lower belly.
“Morning, little thorn.” His words tease the back of my neck.
“Morning,” I whisper through a yawn.
“Any requests for breakfast?” His hand slowly descends to the waistband of my underwear. “I’m hungry for your pussy.”
His fingers glide underneath the material, down my already wet folds, and my breath hitches.
“I’ve gotta start looking for my brother,” I rasp, even though I don’t want him to stop. I need this. I want this. My body wants the enemy, and I can’t tell her no .
“Your underwear needs to go.”
Lucas gently pushes them down my legs as he rolls me onto my back, and I find myself staring into his captivating light-brown eyes. I extend my fingers toward the waistband of his briefs.
“You next,” I say, and Lucas grins.
“Fuck, you are sexy when you boss me around.”
He removes his briefs and now he’s bare, looking down at me with so much desire that my core begs for his touch. With a firm grip, he lifts the bottom of my top, peels it over my head, and hurls it across the room.
“Fucking perfect,” he says, roaming his gaze down over my chest and pussy, now on full display.
With the way Lucas is looking at me, I resist the temptation to hide the scars that mark my stomach. There’s an inferno of heat in his eyes as he grips his hard cock. I feel empowered and strong. Wanted.
Taking hold of the back of his neck, I bring him closer, connecting our lips with fervor. He responds with a throaty groan, and our tongues intertwine, moving in sync with each other.
His fingers press between my folds, rubbing my clit faster and harder before he pushes a finger, then two, inside me. My back arches as I grab onto his thick cock, and it feels like silky steel in my hand. His lips never leave mine and we fight for dominance, nipping and tugging. My hand tugs his cock to the same pace until he pulls back, resting his head against mine.
“I want to watch you fall apart until your cum drips from my fingers, then I’m going to fuck you.”
My core clenches at his words, and he picks up the pace, driving his fingers in and out. His eyes never leave mine as a shudder racks my body and my stomach clenches, my eyes squeezing shut.
He grips my chin. “Eyes on me while you come,” he growls, and I obey, panting through my release.
He smiles, bringing his lips down on mine in a heated kiss. His precum slides down his shaft onto my fingers where I’m still gripping him.
“I need to be inside you,” he whispers, pressing kisses along my cheek, and I nod, releasing his cock.
He grabs a condom from the drawer beside his bed, tears the packet, and slips it on. I lick my lips as I watch his movements, and Lucas’s eyes darken to a chocolate brown.
“Fuck me, you are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met.”
I have no idea what to say, so I don’t say anything, instead grabbing his cock and lining it up with my pussy. He grins, easing himself inside me, and it takes me a moment to adjust to his size. A whimper escapes at the feeling of fullness, and my walls clench around him.
He starts off slow, then faster and harder. His lips crash down on mine, and I take his bottom lip between my teeth, biting down hard. He groans deeply and I want to hear that sound again. He drives into me, hitting my G-spot, but it’s not enough. I need more.
My hands push against his chest, and he pulls out. I flip over onto my stomach, and he laughs, slapping my ass. I jolt forward slightly, and he wraps his fingers around my hair, tugging me back. He lines his cock up and pushes deep inside me. I lay my head down against his pillow with my ass in the air, and he drives into me, hitting my walls again and again. He pulls my hair harder and my back arches. I want—no, need —more tension. He slaps my ass and my pussy clenches.
“You love it dirty, don’t you, little thorn?” Lucas growls, and I moan. “Don’t you?” he asks again, slapping my ass harder.
I jolt forward, but his grip on my hair pulls me back. Pain erupts across my ass and scalp—fuck, it feels good. “Yes,” I pant, getting higher and higher.
He slows down his pace and I curse.
“I’m so close, don’t you dare fucking stop,” I snap, and he chuckles.
“As you wish.”
He pumps in and out faster and faster until I can’t take it anymore. My legs become weak, stars dance in my vision, and I release. After a few more thrusts, he pulls out, and the next thing I know, warm liquid hits my back, but I don’t give a fuck. My body deflates, my heart thundering in my ears as I try to catch my breath.
He rustles around, his presence retreating briefly, then the bed dips and a towel rubs against my back, removing the cum. He flops down on the bed next to me with a lopsided grin.
“You know I won’t ever be able to walk away from you or that sweet, sweet pussy now, right?” he says, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear.
I have no idea how to respond to that, so I don’t. I can’t get attached to him or them—they are the enemy. But the more I say that, the more I don’t believe it, and that scares me the most because I am leaving. Once I find my brother, we are gone, and the thought of growing feelings for Lucas and then walking away is too much.
But it might already be too late for that.