Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
SONNY
As a boy, I dreamed of getting lost at sea, stranded on a deserted island. Imagine the TV show Lost, but I was the only survivor. In various dreams, I taught myself to live off the land. To fish, hunt, and do things pretty boys like me didn’t learn from their fathers.
It was a crazy dream, one I had all the time. And it was utterly ridiculous. Could you see me drinking water from coconut shells? Or taking baths in the ocean? Not likely. I was accustomed to sleeping on thousand-thread count sheets and dressing in handmade shirts imported from Europe. My spoiled ass wouldn’t last two days on an island.
Back then, I didn’t understand why I kept having the dream about the island. Not until I considered why I wanted to get lost so badly. On the outside, my life was picture-perfect. I had money, football, a loving family, top grades, and awesome friends.
I stopped having the dream a few years ago. Then Aiden walked into my life, throwing me another curveball. The dreams started up again. Instead of being alone on the island, like many times before, Aiden was beside me, holding my hand, promising we would survive long enough to get rescued. It was the first time someone was on the island with me, helping me navigate the uncharted terrain.
He was different.
Special.
Aiden sat on the bench across from me, clinging to his sister’s side like she might disappear. The wind blew his curly blond hair off his tanned forehead, and his blue eyes lit up when he smiled at Alex. He rarely smiled. Most of the time, Aiden looked mad at the world and ready to kill someone. But with his twin, the earth stopped rotating for her.
I liked this about him.
I liked it a lot.
Aiden was a lover and a fighter, loyal and trustworthy. His tough exterior may have some people fooled, but I saw into the depths of his soul. He was broken and in need of fixing. Deep down, I knew he was brought to Devil’s Creek for a reason.
So I could fix him.
But I had a feeling he would be the one to save me—just like he did on the island.
“What are you looking at, Pretty Boy?” Aiden asked when he caught me staring.
“You,” I admitted. “Got a problem with it, Sunshine?”
If he wanted to dish out nicknames, I was the king of giving them. Two could play this game.
“Sunshine?” Aiden snarled, shoving the curls out of his eyes. “Don’t fucking call me that.”
“You’re like a ray of sunshine.” I flashed a cocky smirk that earned me a sneer from the bad boy glaring at me like he wanted to kiss, fuck, and kill me. “The name suits you.”
He was so grumpy and mean. How could he not be my Sunshine? Mine . Aiden was mine whether he knew it. I was a rich boy who never heard the word no. And when I wanted something—or someone—I didn't stop until I got it.
Alex giggled and squeezed his arm. “You could lighten up a bit, Aid. Mom and Dad aren’t around anymore.”
Aiden stiffened at the mention of his parents. It took him a second to let her words sink in before he bent down and kissed her hair. He didn’t respond to her comment, but his expression slightly softened when his eyes landed on me. The way to his heart was through his twin. If I wanted him, I had to kill Alex with kindness.
My specialty.
I shifted my attention to Alex. “How do you like the yacht, Little Wellington?”
Alex turned to look at me, those unruly blond curls tossing everywhere. “It’s amazing. Like nothing we’ve ever done before. Thanks for inviting us, Sonny.”
“Any time.” I raised the beer bottle to my lips and drank, loving the malty taste as it slid down my throat. “You’re family now. What’s mine is yours.”
Alex’s eyebrows lifted an inch in confusion. “Are we related?”
Marcello laughed. “No, princess. Sonny means you’re like family now. There aren’t that many Founders. So we take care of each other.”
“Oh.” Alex’s cheeks flushed crimson, and she bit her pouty bottom lip. “I’m still getting used to all of this. My grandfather hasn’t told me much about the Founders.”
Aiden cleared his throat and shifted nervously beside her. “There’s not much you need to know, Lexie.” He looked at me as if issuing a silent warning not to open my mouth. “The Founders are just a bunch of rich snobs who run this town.”
Aiden knew more about the interworkings of our world than Alex. He shielded her from everything, and this was no different. It was best she didn’t learn more about the role she would play until she was old enough to understand the responsibility of being the Queen of The Devil’s Knights.
“I take offense to that,” I said in my snootiest voice, rising from the bench with a beer in hand. “I’m not a snob.” I downed the rest of the bottle and set it on the table, keeping my eyes on Aiden. “I need refreshments. Come help me find some.”
Aiden studied me momentarily, his top lip curling upward into a mix between a smirk and a snarl. He was so hard to read. One minute, I thought he liked me. The next, he looked like he wanted to snap my neck.
When he didn’t respond, I said, “Your sister could use another margarita. Marcello finished his beer twenty minutes ago.” I tipped my head at the table. “Your glass is empty, too, Sunshine .”
He growled at my nickname.
Alex uncrossed her legs and handed Aiden the empty margarita glass. “I’ll have another, bartender.”
“Is that so?” Aiden took the glass. “You’re already a little tipsy.”
“Please, Aid.” Alex tugged on his T-shirt, which was ripped like his jeans and bore the name of an indie rock band. “We never got to do anything fun in Haven. This is the first time we’ve had any freedom. I want to get drunk.”
“Fine. One more drink. But that’s it. I’m not getting my ear chewed out by Pops and Blair about getting you wasted.” He strode over to me, shoving the glass into my chest. “Lead the way, Pretty Boy.”