Chapter 5
Chapter Five
M y heart pounds as I lead the blonde stranger with the piercing blue eyes to the kitchen island. He moves with a lethal grace that hints at danger simmering right under the surface. Yet, his eyes are warm, crinkling at the corners when he smiles at me.
"Take a seat!" I gesture to the breakfast bar, busying myself grabbing plates. “I’ve got a little bit of everything.” I turn to see him perched on a stool, forearms flexed on the counter as he watches me. There's an intensity to his gaze that makes my skin heat.
There’s a sudden bump from the other room, and I gaze in that direction, my eyes widening in concern. Blondie merely chuckles.
“Don’t worry about that,” he comments, his voice a deep rumble that sends shivers down my spine. "This looks amazing."
Shaking my head and getting back to business, I wave a hand, loading up a plate for him. "Thank you! I love cooking. I was worried it was all going to go to waste."
“Why’s that?” His piercing eyes take me in from head to toe as I place an overflowing plate in front of him. I feel myself flushing, somehow worried that he’s not just taking in my appearance, but something deeper.
“Eh. Well, Jason…” I trail off, my cheeks heating from both anger and humiliation.
“Your husband?” He probes, and I turn away from him to avoid his heavy perusal, wiping down the furthest section of the counter to keep myself busy.
“Ah, no. Boyfriend. Erm…well…he was.”
“Was? Why are you here with an ex-boyfriend? It all seems a bit too…romantic for that.”
I clear my throat, trying to breathe past the thickness that seems to have gathered there. I don’t want to tell him that I literally just got dumped right before they busted in here, on top of finding out that he was sleeping with my best friend. That’s just not an introductory conversation.
I don’t even know his name!
“Hey,” his deep, naturally seductive voice is suddenly right behind me. The heat of his body seeping through my clothes. I squeak, spinning around out of instinct.
Bad idea, because now we’re face to face with my back pressed against the counter behind me, with his magnetizing blue eyes refusing to let my own slip away. Narrowing as if he’s trying to figure out a puzzle, his eyes still hold a softness to them that draws me in.
His hand moves up slowly, as if giving me an opportunity to stop him, before he tucks a lock of my wavy hair behind my ear. Holding my breath, not even daring to blink, I stay perfectly still. My heart is hammering a mile a minute, and I’m pretty sure my entire body is buzzing from that one movement alone.
“Come eat,” his words come out soft, yet resolute, and I find myself obeying without realizing it.
Moments later, I blink and find myself sitting next to him at the island, a plate of my own in front of me. Heat radiates off of him, his thigh nearly brushing mine on the neighboring stool, and I'm suddenly very aware of my thin pajamas as I peek at him out of the corner of my eye.
“Tell me.”
And I do. What else is a girl supposed to do with an order like that?
I tell him everything. From the years wasted on the unconscious man in the other room, to what brought us here, and how it all unraveled this morning. I even find myself recounting last night before bed. It’s a little terrifying, especially as his expression turns to stone, every edge sharpened with a dangerous intensity.
I don’t know why, but for the first time in a long while…I don’t feel so alone. It feels like I don’t have to filter my words or bury my emotions just to keep someone else happy. Don’t get me wrong–I’m generally a happy, caring person. But sometimes, I have needs too.
By the halfway point, I'm sobbing uncontrollably as he rubs gentle circles on my back, responding with quiet grunts as I pour everything out.
But by the end, I feel lighter, like I can finally breathe again. Maybe I just needed someone to listen. This one conversation made me realize how long it's been since I've had someone to confide in.
I slowly become aware of my surroundings again, finding my head resting in the hollow of his neck and my fingers clutching the tear-soaked fabric of his shirt like a lifeline. His arms are wrapped around me, holding me with unwavering tenderness as I lie curled in his lap, his woodsy scent filling my senses.
I jolt away from him, stumbling to my feet as I wipe my tear-streaked face.
What is wrong with me, sobbing all over him like that? He must think I'm a complete mess!
"I'm so sorry for unloading all of that on you," I mumble, unable to meet his intense, blue gaze. "It's just been a really emotional morning."
The stranger stands and moves closer. I hold my breath as he gently lifts my chin with a calloused finger so I have no choice but to look at him.
"Don't apologize," he rumbles, a crease forming between his brows. "That piece of shit doesn't deserve your tears."
His crude words startle a watery laugh from me. "I thought I loved him. I never saw this coming."
The stranger shakes his head, anger flaring in his wintry eyes. "Men like that don't understand love. He saw you as a possession, not a partner."
I shudder at the truth in his words. Jason did see me more as a domestic crutch than an equal in our relationship.
"You deserve so much better, Little One.” The stranger’s gaze softens as he brushes his thumb over my cheekbone. "Don't waste another moment worrying about him. My brothers and I will take it from here."
My breath catches at the gentleness of his touch until what he said finally processes.
Take what from here?
Before I can say anything, the sound of footsteps interrupts us, and the brown-haired man who winked at me earlier appears in the archway with Atlas not far behind.
"We've got both sleeping beauties all tied up," he announces with a dimpled grin. His amber eyes are alive with humor as they flick between me and the man still cradling my face. I step back, putting space between me and Blondie as quickly as I can.
“Um, are you hungry?” I ask as I turn my back on them, instinctually diving into what I know best…
Taking care of people.
“Starved,” a deep raspy voice whispers over my shoulder–not at all in an innocent way–drawing a gasp from me. I should be scared of his proximity. Yet, I’m anything but. My body responds in ways I’ve never experienced before. Exciting and pleasant ways.
By the time I get my wits about me and turn to look at him, he’s being dragged back by Atlas to one of the stools around the table. Even being manhandled, he continues to keep his heated gaze on me, giving me a salacious wink as he goes. It doesn’t even phase him when he’s nearly thrown off the back of the stool and onto the floor by the big behemoth.
Clearing my throat, I check to see if anyone wants another coffee, before filling up their plates and telling them all to tuck in. Although I’ve not eaten yet this morning, my desire to consume anything but the life-saving elixir has gone out the window with Jason’s revelations.
How could he do that to me? To us? And more importantly, how the hell did I not see it?
“Grace? Grace .” I jump at the sound of my own name, turning to find Blondie is the one calling out to me.
I clear my throat, noticing they’ve finished their meals already. “Yeah. Sorry, erm…” I bite my lip, forgetting I don’t know their names.
“Teddy,” he points to himself before pointing to the brown-haired mischief maker and the giant in turn. “Key. Atlas.”
A smile creeps onto my face as my gaze catches on each of the guys. Each one of them holds themselves so differently, yet that aura of death and violence lingers over every one of them, and for whatever reason, it has my cheeks heating.
“Grace.” Atlas’ demand has my gaze snapping to his. Pointing at the seat next to his, he holds himself firm, his entire demeanor radiating the fact that it was an order and not a request.
“Best do what he says, Sugar,” Key drawls. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice him lean forward on the counter and lick his lips with a sparkle in his eye. “You don’t want to know the consequences of disobeying the big fuck-” Key grunts as Atlas elbows him in the side, not once taking his eyes off me.
Swallowing thickly, I debate my options before Teddy makes that choice for me. He moves around the counter and takes the mug from my hand, before gently placing a hand on my lower back and guiding me where he wants me.
“Sit. Before he makes you,” he purrs in my ear, sending goosebumps racing over my arms.
On autopilot, I take a seat next to Atlas, squeaking as he pulls the stool closer, tucking me into his side. Leaning to peer around him, Key wiggles his eyebrows at me. He opens his mouth to say something, but Teddy cuts him off.
"Cut it, Key. Atlas is already on edge." I glance up at the man in question, my heart skipping at the death glare he levels at Key. But instead of fear or unease, my body responds with heat, a spark of intrigue flaring within me. Catching my gaze, Key winks, and a blush creeps over my chest.
Teddy chooses that moment to place a steaming mug of coffee in front of me, warmth blossoming low in my belly. Wrapping my hands around it, I pull it close and thank him. He offers me a gentle smile, his fingers brushing softly across the back of my hand before he takes his seat again.
“So,” I take a sip, moaning at the delicious taste, even if it does burn all my taste buds on the way down. “Who are you guys exactly?”
“Killers, Sugar. We’re killers.”