Chapter 23 Carwynn #2
When kids weren’t the nicest to me as a teen, he’d appear out of nowhere, serving justice.
Sometimes a little too harshly. I’ll never forget the Poodini incident during my sophomore year.
One of my classmates, Giovanna, bragged for weeks about how her sweet sixteen was going to be the highlight of the year.
Her and her friends nicknamed me the pet, since I was close to the teachers.
Adults were just easier to get along with, less raging hormones and social bullshit than my peers.
Everyone was invited to the party. Well, everyone except the outcasts, which included me.
According to her, animals weren’t allowed in.
That night of the party, I sulked in my room, stewing in humiliation. Pudge showed up out of nowhere, sweetly comforting me, listening while I vented. But then his face shifted into that unhinged smile. The one that had trouble written all over it. And just like that, he rifted away.
Not five minutes later, he popped back in.
The only response he’d given me was a smug shrug.
I begged him to tell me he didn’t do anything, but he refused to answer.
Come Monday morning, I found out Giovanna’s party had been pretty shitty .
. . literally. Everyone that attended came down with sudden, severe food poisoning—the explosive, chocolate-squirts kind.
Since the venue had limited bathrooms, chaos erupted.
Emergency services were even called at the peak of it.
Shit happens, right?
Pudge might have little angel wings, but I’m convinced he’s hiding a devil’s tail.
And in all honesty, a wicked part of my soul loves him all the more for it.
Dozens of memories like that lived rent-free in my mind.
I was horrified by the things he’d do—but deep down, it warmed my heart to know that this was his love language.
There was no stopping that gremlin, so I learned to sit back and enjoy the show once in a while.
Like the time he crashed a painfully boring first date in college.
He kept stealing my date’s fries, one at a time, very slowly.
I watched in horror, barely breathing, as that pudgy little hand snaked up from under the table, snagging a fry and disappearing again.
My date rambled on, growing more confused by the minute as his plate slowly emptied.
I attempted to swat Pudge away under the table, but he bit my fingers with those sharp, little teeth.
I nearly yelped. It took everything in my soul to keep a straight face.
I swear I almost peed myself laughing when I told Wyatt and David what happened.
Harsh commands cut through the market, stripping me from memory lane.
Two men strode down the cobblestone walkway, bickering as they headed toward a larger group of brawny figures. It wasn’t hard to tell they were all part of the same club—probably the Cuntry Club, judging by their matching caps and tweed suits. Suits I was all too familiar with. Luckmen.
Straightening, I leaned my side against the tree. Leaving was probably the smart move, considering a certain Luckman was the reason I’d run off in the first place. I had no desire to be surrounded by more of them. Especially when they looked to be in foul moods.
Just as I pushed off the tree ready to slip away—I felt it.
Tug.
Tug.
As if my inkling were whispering, look . . . look!
My eyes darted across the crowd snagging on a strange figure. A cloaked, gray-hooded, mountain of a man stood in the middle of the busy walkway. Easily the tallest person there, frozen in place.
How the hell did no one else notice them?
I couldn’t pull my eyes away—mesmerized by how the world buzzed around, not a single curious glance flicked his way.
Slowly, his sights lifted, just enough for the hood to slip back, revealing a face. Neon eyes locked on mine. They looked foreign, otherworldly.
Then, his head tilted in silent curiosity.
One part of me squirmed as another part challenged, staring back.
What the hell was his—
“Miss!” The firm voice cut off my thoughts. “Ya need to come with us right now! Lochlainn’s summoned ya.”
Two Luckmen stopped just a few feet away. One was baby-faced while the other had an age-kissed beard.
No cheery greetings. No polite smiles. No, they were all business. Tight jaws and squared shoulders that exuded authority. Not good.
Okay, so I guess Lochlainn was really pissed.
“I actually just had a lovely visit with him, which more than hits my quota for the day,” I said, flashing a sickeningly sweet smile. “So I’ll be headed home now. But thanks ever so much for letting me know.”
“We’re not asking,” Babyface grumbled. “You’re coming with us. Let’s go.”
I’d had enough of Lochlainn’s games for one day. Sending his dogs to leash me back to his place was just the cherry on top. Quite frankly, he could go screw his coin collection. No way was I going with them.
Without another word, I pushed past Babyface, walking away.
“Sorry cabbage sprout, I’m not one of his dogs,” I called over my shoulder. “But feel free to send him my warmest regards!”
A firm hand clamped down on my upper arm.
“Funny,” he spat, dragging me forward. “Ya look like a bitch to me. Like I said—we’re not asking. Don’t bother making this harder on yourself.”
A second hand wrapped around my other arm, both of them forcing me forward.
I slammed my feet down, bringing us to a halt.
“Let. Go. Of. Me!”
I yanked an arm free and drove my elbow into the bastard’s face. There was a satisfying crunch as bone met cartilage.
The man swore as he grabbed his nose.
I didn’t hesitate as I rounded on Graybeard, catching him mid-blink, still processing what I’d just done. One smooth swoop and I latched onto his shoulders. Drawing him in, I reared back, sending a forceful knee into his groin.
Ooooff . . . even I felt the pain in that one.
The grip on my arm instantly dropped. He doubled over hissing, clutching what might’ve once been his family jewels.
Sprinting, I didn’t stick around knowing the other group of Luckmen weren’t far. I held my shoulder bag steady. Not that it helped much. Every step sent it slamming into my hip, the contents smashing around inside like a goddamn maraca.
To my surprise, no one got involved as they watched me bolt through the market. Eyes burned into the back of my skull from all angles, but not a single hand intervened.
Behind me, the Luckmen roared with profanities, chasing fast.
Had Lochlainn lost his fucking mind? Having me hunted down like some criminal! I was going to tear him a new asshole for this!
Ducking between stalls, I weaved around startled shoppers, dodging racks of potions and pastries. My feet bounded down the cobblestone as I reached the edge of the square and turned down the quieter street.
I risked a quick glance over my shoulder. No sign of them yet.
How the hell was I supposed to hide? Lochlainn literally owned this entire city. That gold-sucking, rainbow-humping asshole!
Then—thud!
A body collided with mine, sweeping me off my feet and into a small, narrow alleyway. It was sudden. Forceful. But somehow painless.
Before I could react—a cloak of darkness fell upon me.