Chapter 15
Monty
Usually, I’d rejoice in the total shock on a man’s face when I show up out of the blue.
It’s either to kill him, remind him of my existence, or just to be a general nuisance, so it’s always fun.
But in this case, my stomach clenches, my heart thuds, and the smile on my face feels brittle, because I’m not enjoying it at all.
I hated leaving how I did. Despised myself for it. I was a coward and I know that, but I couldn’t bear the thought of saying goodbye or explaining why I had to leave. He wouldn’t have understood, and in order to explain, I’d have to tell him things I’ll never be ready to say out loud.
So, I ran. I left a bloody note and I ran.
Placing my hands on my hips, I try to ignore how good Guy looks and the flutters between my legs at the sight of those arms snug in a T-shirt and the way his jeans wrap around thick, powerful thighs. His jaw is tight as he approaches, towering over me.
“Your pussy is goddamn heaven.”
The back of my neck is on fire, and it isn’t because of the sun.
“Look who invited herself!” Ella calls out, laughing.
Guy isn’t laughing. Not even bloody close.
“Monty, if you’re going to make lemonade, at least clean up your damn mess afterwards,” Gable snaps as he appears with a tray filled with drinks.
“Sorry, I got carried away,” I say, picking a glass and wrapping my lips around the straw, keeping my eyes on Guy.
He looks close to tearing my head off. “I’m gonna grab a shower.”
“Are you swimming with us, Dad?” Ella asks. “Auntie Monty is.”
“Sure thing,” he says, then disappears inside.
I stare after him, licking the taste of lemon from my lips.
Why did I even come? I knew he’d be here, and I knew this was how he’d react. He hates me, and I can’t blame him. We made plans, not only did I bail, but I did it in the worst way possible.
Maybe I just like torturing myself.
Dipping into the lake, the twins and I splash each other for a while, and I decide that kids aren’t so bad. Gray is sweet, and Asha has a broody kind of temperament that I can appreciate.
When Guy comes out in just swimming shorts, I lower myself into the water, only visible from the nose upwards as I watch him. He’s such a god. Broad. Muscular. Solid. No wonder he could throw me around as he fucked me; the man looks like he could bench-press a truck.
He talks to Gable for a minute or so, and it looks tense.
Has he told Gable about us? He would never tell Ella, but maybe he needed to confess to someone and his son-in-law was available.
Reaching for the floating patio, I grip it and pull myself out of the lake, gritting my teeth against the pain in my side.
Water drips down my body and my T-shirt clings to me, dark enough to hide the marks down my ribs.
I pull my hair over one shoulder before squeezing out the excess moisture and walking over to Guy and Gable.
Guy does a double-take but smoothly continues his conversation as his gaze drifts down my body.
Gable doesn’t even seem to be paying attention; he’s keeping an eye on the twins and Ella.
“Do you have any food, Gable?” I ask, picking up my lemonade again. “I’m hungry, and I have a big appetite.”
“We’re having a barbeque in two hours. Can you wait?” Gable asks, his lips twitching into a smile as Asha giggles.
“Speaking of, I’ll be heading out right after,” Guy says. “I have a date.”
The glass cracks in my grip.
Heat rushes across my skin, and I’m unsure if I’m going to hit someone or be sick. Either way, a disgusting unease has taken form in my stomach, and I want to claw it out.
Date.
Who the fuck does he have a date with?
Guy smirks. “Can’t wait for that barbeque, though. Guess I’ve got a big appetite, too.”
I’m not jealous.
I’m not.
I’m happy for Guy. Sure, we had something, but I left, so if he wants to move on, that’s great. Fucking fantastic. But unless this woman is perfect, she doesn’t deserve a minute of his time.
So, I’m lingering in a dark hallway like a creep, waiting for him to come upstairs.
He’s laughing at something Ella is saying, and I press my back to the wall, waiting. Footsteps thud up the wooden stairs, and he doesn’t notice me until he’s at his door.
When we lock eyes, he tenses. “Jesus Christ, Lina!”
“Shush!” I snap, shoving him and eyeing the stairs. The conversation between Ella and Gable continues as normal, so they mustn’t have heard him. I press my finger into Guy’s bare chest. My god, this man is solid muscle. “Who are you going on a date with?”
“None of your business,” he whispers. “You left, remember?”
“I can still be concerned about you! What if she’s after your money?”
He arches a brow. “I was a police officer, not on Wall Street.”
“What if she’s dangerous? Like Vivien?” I get closer. “I’ll scare her off for you.”
Guy searches my face. “You’re offering to help?”
“Yes.” I swallow, my throat suddenly dry. “I know you liked how I handled things last time.”
The space between us vanishes so quickly that all the oxygen leaves my lungs.
He grips my chin, and I hold my breath as his warmth spreads through me.
My skin tingles, and my pussy throbs. He backs me into the wall, his dark gaze dropping to my lips.
Everything inside of me vibrates, hums, wakes up—because I’ve missed this.
Him. His power. His authority. His ability to make me want to follow every command with just a word, a look, a touch.
“Do you think I need you?” He challenges.
“Well, your dating history leaves a lot to be desired.” I hit back, and I know I’m pushing his buttons, but as long as he stays close, I don’t care what it takes. “And I want to look out for you.”
A cold, hateful smirk twists his lips. “Are you jealous, Monty?” he asks quietly, his voice more a feeling than a sound.
I swallow again, but my throat is still painfully dry. “No.”
“No?” His voice is rough. Erotic. I want to bathe in every sound, lick his lips with every word he says. “So you don’t think about us?”
A pleasant shudder has me leaning closer. “… No.”
“You don’t think about my cock and how hard you squirted on it?” he whispers in my ear, and I let out a quiet whimper. “You don’t think about being on your hands and knees on my kitchen floor, taking every inch of my cock in your ass?”
The words have my eyes almost fluttering closed. “Yes.”
He nibbles my ear, and I swear I almost come. “You want it again?”
“Yes.”
“You want my cum?”
“God, Guy, yes—”
“Tough.” The word is harsh, and I blink back to the moment. “You fucked up. You fucked me, and you left. You made this choice, not me.” He lifts my chin. “I wouldn’t let you suck my cock again if you begged.”
The light flicks on.
We both whirl, and Gable is at the top of the stairs, eyes darting between us.
Fuck.
“That …” Guy backs away from me. “That wasn’t—”
“Nope!” Gable turns on his heel and strides to the opposite end of the hallway.
We follow. He puts his hands over his ears to block out our whispered, frantic explanations, until we’re eventually all in his and Ella’s room.
He points between us. “Do not say another word! The more I know about this, the more I have to lie to my wife, and I do not like lying to my wife! I came upstairs, I heard nothing, I saw nothing, I will not confirm nor deny anything! Is that clear?”
We both nod.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have meats to barbeque!” he snaps and storms by us.
And we’re alone. Alone in this pain that I created. Everything I should have said before I left hangs between us, and I’m still not brave enough to voice any of it.
I look up at Guy, equal parts turned on and annoyed. “Guy, I’m sorry, okay? I had to leave.”
“But did you have to kill Seth Sinclair?” My skin chills at the sound of Seth’s name, and I grit my teeth. “His name was all over the news after you left. Murdered on Christmas Eve. That was a busy day for you, wasn’t it?”
I look away. “I don’t—”
“His name was on the inside of the scarf, Lina!” he hisses, and my jaw tightens. “Not only did you bring a trophy from your murder into my house, but you used my fucking car to get to and from said murder. What the fuck were you thinking?”
Shame, and regret, and everything dark crawls through me. My explanations would make him understand, but that would mean the truth.
“I can handle being rejected, Monty. It sucked and stung, but whatever. But involving me in that?” He shakes his head. “That was just pure fucking selfish.”
He goes to leave, and I need to say something, explain myself somehow.
“He had to die, Guy. It was my only opportunity to do it, and I couldn’t miss out.”
His laugh is bitter. “Hope the cash was worth it.”
The truth is on the tip of my tongue as he leaves. About how I earned nothing from that kill. About how killing Seth and leaving Guy had me crying myself to sleep for weeks afterwards.
About how Seth dying didn’t bring my sister back.