Chapter Fourteen
Shuddering, I glanced over my shoulder as I followed the nurse down the corridor. Visiting hours hadn't long started, but I expected his friends to turn up at any moment. If I saw them, I would bolt. I couldn't have all of the bug boys gang up on me when I was just trying to pay my respects.
“He's in here.” The nurse blushed. “He managed to persuade them to give him his own room.”
Rolling my eyes, I went to the door and peered inside. I hadn't seen Nate – no, it was Fly now – in fifteen years. I had no idea if the others hated me as much as Moth, but I didn't want to risk finding out.
Fly was alone in the room, lying down, reading a book. I nodded a thanks to the nurse and knocked on the door, going straight in so he didn't have a chance to work out who I was before I was beside him.
“Hello?” He raised his eyebrows as recognition crossed his face. “Oh, Alia.”
“You recognise me?” I asked, pointing to the chair next to his bed. “Can I sit?”
He placed his book on the small cupboard next to him and nodded, indicating that I take the seat. I plonked myself down, so nervous, I didn’t correctly judge the distance between my butt and the cushion below it.
“Why are you here?” Fly's glare wasn't unlike Moth's when I'd first seen his eyes.
I crossed my legs and put a hand on my knee, clenching it to try and calm the bubbles in my stomach. “Brandon is my problem. I'm so sorry you got hurt by him.”
“The bastard has fast become our problem too.” Fly glanced at his leg where it hung in a brace. “So, don't you go worrying your pretty head about him.”
“I'm not worried about Brandon,” I bit back, dropping my gaze when Fly's snapped to mine. “I'm more concerned that Moth will end up in jail if he loses his shit and kills him.”
Fly tilted his head as he looked at me. He had spiky hair, a thick jaw and beautiful ice-coloured eyes. His frame was similar to Moth's – wide shoulders, tall and muscular – except he had fewer tattoos.
“Don't be concerned about Moth.” Fly's lips quirked. “He can take care of himself, even if he is a little headstrong at times.”
“He was furious when he came to ask me Brandon's address.” I sat forward. “He was going to do something stupid. It was lucky I managed to stop him…”
My sentence trailed off and I looked at the floor, my cheeks too bloody hot. Why did they make hospital rooms so warm?
Fly's chuckle echoed around the room. I looked back at him, shaking my head when he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “Oh yeah. I know how that goes. Anyway, don't enjoy that too much. He hasn't forgotten what you did.”
“And has he told you what I did?” I snapped, getting to my feet and turning to leave.
“Wait, don’t go. Stay!”
I paused and looked over my shoulder. “Why should I? You all judged me and swore an immature vengeance before you got the whole story. I'm done with it.”
He coughed and frowned, gesturing for me to return to his side. “He hasn't told you what happened when the cops rounded us up that day?”
I had been ready to leave, but he was right, it had been the one thing that Moth had failed to tell me. I'd assumed they'd been sent away to live with other family members, but the dark expression currently sitting on Fly's face told me I needed to stay to learn more.
Treading slowly to stand nearer, I crossed my arms over my waist and waited for him to enlighten me.
He leaned his head back against the pillow, staring up at the ceiling. “Had you never wondered where we came from when we turned up to school at the age of eleven?”
Licking my lips, I shook my head, even though he couldn't see me. “No. I assumed you'd all just moved into town with your families.”
“Well, we had moved into town,” he went on, “but on our own. Our families were what I can only describe as alternative. We didn't agree with their ways, so we ran away, and forged a life of our own.”
“How did you get into school? Don't you need a parent to enrol you?” I couldn't deny that I'd been vaguely aware of them living alone, but having the confirmation was shocking.
Shrugging, Fly grimaced and tried to move. His leg swung slightly and he gritted his teeth until it stopped.
I moved closer and looked at his pillows. “You need me to fluff them up or something?”
“Who do you take me for? ... Yes.” He smirked. “The answer is actually yes.”
Lifting his head, I shook the pillows about and stuffed them further under his broad shoulders. He groaned when I laid him back down, so I stepped away, only to narrow my gaze on him.
He was smiling like a Cheshire cat, snuggling down into the pillows. “Much better, thank you.”
“Good.” My reply was sharp and short.
“We had an adult friend who helped us enrol in the school.” He went back to staring at the ceiling. “Everything was done online, it made it a lot easier.”
I hummed a reply, not wanting to distract him from his reminiscing.
“All of our parents had moved to a place where we couldn't live.” He rubbed the sleep out of the corner of his eye. “So, we ran away and set up our home. The same home you burnt down.”
He turned his head to sneer at me. Jeez, a girl couldn't make a mistake – or cover for one – at all, anymore? Okay, so it was their home and Wasp had died in the fire… My stomach churned as I looked into his eyes.
They had been a family. As hard as I'd found it, living with the guilt, I'd been able to try and get on with life. Yes, I'd gone wild and done some stupid things, but I'd finally found some peace. It seemed the bug boys hadn't.
“It was an accident.” I rubbed my dry lips together. “I'm sorry.”
Waving a hand in dismissal, he let his head fall back again. “When the cops caught us that day, they took us to our families, who forced us to live with them.”
“What type of family would be so bad that all of you would want to escape?” I asked, needing to know more.
My parents hadn't been the best in the world, but they'd bumbled along, making sure we were fed and clothed. That was the most important thing, right?
Fly chuckled and shook his head. “The type who do fucked up things under the guise of a fucking deity.”
The door opened behind me and I jerked away from the bed, going to the corner of the room as three huge men walked in, including Moth.
“Sorry,” one of them said, “were we interrupting something? How did you find such a hotty in this dreary place?”
Fly laughed along with his friends, not saying a word until Moth lifted his gaze and it landed on me. His eyes, previously broody, darkened and he lowered his head, still staring at me.
“Moth,” Fly warned.
“Alia.” Moth’s deep voice slipped through my soul and I shuddered.
The gazes of the other two men snapped to me and an actual growl erupted from the one with short hair.
“Ant.” Fly reached for his friend, yanking on his arm. “Don't.”
Ant. Ah yes, the one who had always been the joker, the one who had been more intimidating than the others. If anyone tried to bully their little club, he would beat them enough to stop it instantly.
“I should go.” I went to step forward, pausing when the three men didn’t move.
They were blocking the way, their frames forming a wall between me and the door. I scratched my wrist, waiting for them to part in order for me to get through. All four of them stared at me, their gazes intense and, quite frankly, terrifying.
“I came to apologise to Fly.” I braced myself for an attack. “Brandon wouldn’t have hurt him if it wasn’t for me.”
Ant put his head to the side and narrowed his gaze on me. “Moth didn’t help matters, I hear.”
Moth scowled at his friend before looking at me again. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“No.” Ant took a threatening step towards me. “You shouldn’t. However, you’re here now. Maybe it’s time you settle this vow of yours, Moth?”
I opened my mouth to tell him to fuck off, but there was a flash of movement before Ant was pinned against the wall next to me, crashing into the posters advertising erectile dysfunction treatments. Huh. Ironic.
Moth’s hand was around Ant’s neck, holding him hard. “That has nothing to do with you,” he said, spittle flying from his lips, “You don’t go near her. Ever.”
“Moth?” Fly called. “Release your friend now. We swore to never fight over a woman.”
Pushing off Ant, Moth released him and grabbed my elbow, dragging me past his friend. My blood rushed in my ears as I went with him, looking for any escape from the room. Except, if I kept running away, I would never be free.
“Wait!” Yanking myself from Moth’s grip, I turned back to the room. “I’m sorry, okay?”
Throwing my hands out to the side, I opened myself up to their attack. When no one replied, I went on. “I made a mistake that day that caused catastrophic events. I never meant to hurt any of you, I promise you. I merely wanted to scare you, but it all went so so wrong. I did not kill Wasp, but the things I did led to that moment.” Taking a deep breath, I sucked in a sob that wanted to escape. “And I’m so fucking sorry for that.”
Moth took my hand and pulled me out of the room before they could reply. They stood staring at me as we left, the door blocking my view of them when it swung closed.
“Stop!” I tripped as I tried to get free from Moth.
He let me go and I crashed to my knees, my jeans barely keeping the hard floor from scraping my skin.
“Are you okay?” a masculine voice said as a hand appeared in front of my eyes.
Taking it, I plastered on a smile as I let the stranger help me up. Except, it wasn’t a stranger. It was Josh, my delivery guy.
“Alia!” he exclaimed. “I didn’t recognise you down there. What’s going on? Do you need help?”
“I’m standing right here.” Moth growled at the kind man who had always been so nice to me. “She’s fine.”
Josh raised his eyebrows before edging between us. He looked down at me, his forehead creasing deeply. “I can give you a ride home if you like? I won’t let anyone treat you badly.”
Forcing a fake smile, I shook my head. “It's fine. This is an old friend who’s anxious about his injured friend. He didn't mean me any harm.” I glanced past Josh. “Did you?”
Moth glared at me. “Are you ready to go?”
His words were pushed through clenched teeth, totally not giving the impression that I would be safe in his company. Instead of giving him a reply, I turned back to Josh. “I better go. However, I’m due a delivery tomorrow, so I’ll see you then.”
Pursing his lips, he nodded. He was clever, he would’ve seen straight through my lie. However, I had no idea what Moth was actually capable of, so it was best to just get him away from my friend. Apparently, being around me sent Moth into a crazy frenzy.
“Very well.” Josh reached for my hand.
Moth’s hand appeared next to mine, blocking any contact. “We need to get going if we're going to get to that meeting in time.”
I glanced at both proffered hands and, against my better judgement, I slipped my fingers into Moth’s hand.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Smiling at Josh, I went with Moth, releasing his hand as soon as we werenearer the exit.
Josh watched us go, giving me a wave when I glanced over my shoulder. He was the sweetest guy I knew. I’d always had a soft spot for him, so why had I taken Moth's hand instead of his?
We reached Moth’s motorbike and I stood by it, not sure what to do. Moth had mentioned a meeting, so he was clearly still intent on getting revenge on Brandon. I wasn’t against the plan, but I couldn’t just let him slaughter the man.
“Here, put this on.” He handed me his helmet. “And then climb on. We’re going to talk.”
Running a hand over the intricate moth that had been painted on the plastic, I licked my lips. My head was tired, my body was achy – yeah, from the force of his thrusts against the bar – I just wanted to sleep for days.
Instead, I pulled the helmet over my head and climbed up on the bike behind him. My arms wrapped around his waist, clinging tightly when he started the engine and pulled away, guiding the bike out onto the road. I’d assumed he would take us to my place, but instead, he drove to the outskirts of town. By the time we'd driven up a track and come to a stop outside the burned house, it was too late to protest.
I got off as soon as he cut the engine. My eyes were drawn to the structure, which was half burned down. I had heard that the firefighters had managed to put out the fire, but not in time to save Wasp.
“Why did you bring me here?” I took the helmet off and shoved it into his chest.
Embers in my stomach burst into flames as I strode away from him, trying not to look at the front door, which stood wide open. The track to my left led out of there and that’s where I started to walk. I couldn’t stay and see what damage I’d caused.
“Oh no you don’t!” Moth jogged around me and turned to block my way.
Dodging around him, I flipped him off and carried on. “Leave me alone.”
“Leave you alone?” he called, stepping to catch up to me again. “You apologise like it means nothing. You’re as numb to it as I am, but at least I grieved him.”
“Don’t lie!” I shouted over my shoulder as my footsteps got faster.
He grabbed my wrist, wrenching so hard, I yelped and came to a stop. Once he released me, I broke into a run, straight towards the trees. The crunch of leaves was loud behind me and my breath came in short bursts. I had to get away from the torture.
His arms came around me from behind and he hauled me from my feet. I kicked and screamed, grabbing his arms and pushing. He grunted when the heel of my boot slammed into his shin, but didn’t release me, not even an inch.
“Let me go!” I cried, bucking my head back and barely missing his chin.
He ignored my efforts and kept going, carrying me straight to the steps of the house. I tried one more time to hurt him, digging my nails into the skin on his strong forearms.
Once we were over the threshold, he hissed in a breath and threw me to the ground. I gasped as I landed on the wooden ashy floor. I didn’t have time to react, he was beside me, on his knees.
Lifting my hair, he pressed his mouth to my ear. “This is where he died.” He pointed at the beam that still laid across the hallway. “I begged him to get up, but he was trapped by his leg. The fire would’ve–”
“Stop!” I shouted, shoving him away from me.
He didn’t budge, just caught my arms and held me firm, facing me towards the beam. “You said at the hospital that you didn’t kill him,” he spat, “but if you lit that fire, you did. He wanted to save the few precious memories we had, so he stayed behind, hunting through our belongings. When we went to leave, the beam fell on him. I was able to get past without getting burned, but I had to come back for him. I tried everything to lift the hot beam. I was too young, too weak.”
My whole chest constricted as the tears poured down my cheeks. “Don’t. I’m so sorry.”
“What?” he hissed in my ear. “You don’t want to know how painful it is to know your brother is about to die and you can’t save him?”
“I do know!” My words were squeezed through my tight throat. “I know exactly how it feels! I found my brother… Please.”
He released me roughly, getting up and pacing to the beam, where he stood staring down at a spot on the floor.
“I’m sorry.” I cried hard, cradling myself with my face in my hands. “I never meant to hurt anyone. When she said she’d done it, I tried to put it out. My karma has well and truly visited… many times over.”
My cries echoed around me and the pain of everything unleashed, leaving me shuddering in a ball in the ash stains I’d caused.
The image of my lifeless brother came into my mind and I hiccupped, unable to stem the grief that poured through me in waves. “My brother… he left a note saying that… his demons were too much. He couldn’t save me from Brandon… he couldn’t save himself… I can't breathe.” I gasped for breath. “I… can’t… breathe.”
Moth’s arms came around me and he hugged me to his chest, shushing me like he would a child. “Just relax and take a breath. Deep breath, now.”
Stars danced across my eyes as I gulped, trying to suck air into my constricted lungs. Moth held my shoulders and looked into my eyes. “Deep breath in.” I did as I was told. “Deep breath out.”
His gravelly voice calmed me enough for me to copy him. He squeezed my shoulders, urging me to do it again and again, until I was breathing normally.
Relief washed over me and I looked at him properly. His cheeks were slightly wet. Had he cried when I did? No, surely not. He was too numb.
“You’ve never told me what actually happened to your brother,” he said, still holding my shoulders but no longer offering me that closeness. “Thank you for sharing that with me.”
Swallowing, I wiped my face with my top, grimacing when my black mascara smeared on the white material. “I tried to perform CPR, but there was no point, the damage had been done. I brought him back to life, just to say goodbye again.”
I closed my eyes and inhaled a shaky breath. “I confided in my brother when Brandon started to stalk me. He tried to threaten him, and report him to the police, but all to no avail. In the end, Brandon started playing mind games with him too. It sent him over the edge.”
Moth pushed up to his feet and offered his hand, helping me to mine. The anger that had been rolling off him for days was now dissipated.
“We need to make a plan to stop Brandon, once and for all.” Moth led me into the kitchen at the back of the house. “You don't want to watch me kill him?”
I wasn’t sure whether I should be petrified that he was being genuine. By the look on his face, he was. Or whether to be grateful that he would do that for me… or Fly… it was actually Fly. If Brandon hadn’t maimed his friend due to jealousy, Moth probably wouldn’t have given a shit about him.
“I prefer that people pay for what they do.” Raising my eyebrows when he looked at me, I shrugged. “What? Death is too kind for some people.”
He closed his eyes and inhaled, long and deep. “You sound like me. I used to think that too, but it's taking a long time to make the people pay.”
“On your list?” I muttered, keeping my gaze low and to the side when I looked at him.
He narrowed his eyes on me. “What do you know about that?”
I stood straight and took a step towards the window, pausing when the unrolled sleeping bags came into view. My hand went to my chest and I sighed. “Fly told me you have a list. I'm assuming it's a vendetta type list.”
Grunting, he went to the nearest sleeping bag and kicked it gently. A scorpion toy was sat underneath, discoloured from staying in the same place for so long. Moth bent and retrieved the bug toy, shaking his head as he rubbed it.
“What number am I on that list?” I said, barely above a whisper.
Turning his head towards me, he looked at me from under his eyelashes. “You had not long reached number one when you found me on the bridge. Except, I’d been on the brink of letting it go.”
I shuddered and stepped closer, no wait – I stepped back again. I didn't want to walk into the arms of the man who had just confessed that I was top of his hit list. I also didn't want to know what his revenge plan had been for me.
“Let's get out this house,” he said, spinning abruptly and exiting the shell of a kitchen.
Rubbing the goosebumps on my arms, I followed him. “And what now?” I said, stopping in the doorway. “Am I still at number one?”
He went still, just by the beam that still blocked his path. There, right on the ground, had been the spot where he'd lost his brother, his twin. And my actions that day had caused the consequence of his death. Wasp, at thirteen years old, had died because I'd led my friend to the house to play a prank. One that had gone way too far.
“I don't know if I can ever forgive you,” he muttered, “but once we've dealt with Brandon, you'll be free of me.”
A lump came to my throat as he stepped over the beam and disappeared out of the door. I rushed to catch up with him, not saying a word, just in case he changed his mind. Except, I wasn't sure I wanted to be free of him.
“So,” I started, fast on his heels as we crossed the grass, “I won't ever see you again? After Brandon has been taken down?”
Faltering in his step, Moth shook his head. “That's right.”
“But…” I jogged to keep up with his long strides. “…you don't think we could be…?”
I struggled to come up with a good term, mainly because I had no idea what I wanted to be to him. We'd shared a few incredible encounters and spent time together, but it had never been healthy, not really.
Moth spun to me and gripped the top of my arms. “We can never be anything. Don't get ideas because we fucked. I almost did it to punish you, as part of my vendetta, but it won't happen again.”
“What if I want it to happen again?” My pussy clenched at the idea of him and his hard cock. “Do I not get a say?”
“You want it…?” He huffed angrily and ran a hand through his hair. “Again?”
He released me and paced away, towards the edge of the woods. Once he was close, he turned back to me, his eyes darkened as he headed towards his bike.
“You're crazy!” he shouted.
“No!” I called back, chasing after him, “I just know that I can't stop thinking about you. It's fine if you don't want me, I'll just get on with my life, but you can't deny the chemistry–”
He halted and I crashed into him. I put my arms out to balance myself, but he slipped one arm around my waist and pushed me with the other. I fell backwards, barely keeping from crashing onto the grass by the strength of his grip.
“You want it?” He sneered once I was lying flat. “Your pussy desperate, is it?”
I opened my mouth to reply, but his lips crashed onto mine. He used one hand to pin my arms above my head and pressed his weight into me. His free hand ripped at the waistband of my jeans, popping the buttons clean off with his strength.
“You're a naughty girl.” He bit my lip. “Keep enticing me and pushing me. Just so I push my cock up inside you.”
My whole body hummed and I stretched up to him, unable to comprehend what was happening as my leg went cold; it was pulled right out of my jeans.
“Moth,” I pleaded. “Not like this again.”
He growled low in his chest and plunged, his cock shooting right up inside my pussy. My head fell back as he stretched me wide.
“How, then?” he muttered against my ear as he pulled out and thrust back in again. “I don't do soft and gentle.”
Holding my hip, he dug his fingers deep into my skin. I yelped and tried to move, just to ease the pain, but he held fast, his cock slipping in and out of me, faster and faster.
“I don't even care if you cum.” He bit my shoulder, sending jolts of pleasure throughout my body.
He held me so tightly, I couldn't move. The pressure of his cock changed as he shifted his hips and started to grind into me, smacking his groin against my pelvic bone, strong and purposeful.
“You. give me. the. best. orgasms.” I managed to say between each thrust.
My breath was so short from him pummelling me, my head went dizzy. His hand released my hip and went to my neck. The tingles started in my clit and spread out, lifting and cresting as he squeezed my throat gently and pounded me at the same time.
The orgasm ripped through me and I sank my head back into the grass. Stars danced in my vision as my body shook uncontrollably and I roared. Wait, there were two shouts. He was buried to the hilt inside me, so far up it was almost painful as our muscles vibrated in time.
“Fuck!” I exclaimed as the pleasure ebbed and the shuddering eased.
Moth put his mouth next to my ear. “That was the last time,” he whispered, “You can't get attached to me.”
Rolling off me, he lay back on the grass, his long stiff cock still standing to attention. Lifting up onto my knees, I flung my leg over his waist.
“Fine,” I barked, “then let's make this count.”
Lowering myself on this throbbing cock, I started to ride him. He gritted his teeth, his chest still heaving from his last orgasm.
“You're fucking wild, Sunshine.” He gripped my hips. “But I'm up for the challenge.”
He'd never let me have control before, and now that he stared up at me, his intense gaze boring into mine, I lost all confidence. My body rocked and I leaned forward, my hair falling over his face as I tried to pick up speed.
He clasped my hips, encouraging me to ride him. His jeans were bunched around his knees, but it didn't put me off. A zap of pleasure shot through me when I looked at him again.
He watched where we were joined, which was partially covered by my top.
“I can see flashes of your fine pubic hair and it's turning me on,” he murmured, “keep going.”
Rocking on him, as if I were riding a horse, I shuddered and pressed myself down onto him further. He somehow stayed hard, stretching my pussy. I leaned even closer to him and he grabbed my hair, yanking it back so hard, it arched my spine painfully.
“There it is.” He growled as his fingers slipped between us and he rubbed my clit.
The shock of his hand on me tripled my desire and the tingles shot through me, quickly building and exploding as he thrust up into me, harder and harder. I bounced on him, barely balancing as he took what he needed, sitting up and gripping me to him.
I buried my head into his neck as he pushed me down onto his cock and lifted his hips to meet me, hitting me as deep as he could go. Once, twice and then stillness, a long low groan expelling from his mouth. My pussy pulsated around him as my second, no third, orgasm rocked through me.
“This can't happen again.” He pulled back to look into my face, a flash of pain crossing his handsome features. “As much as you think this is good, it's not worth it, I promise you. You'll only get hurt.”
Holding the back of my head, he pressed his lips against mine, kissing me roughly until he released me, lifting me up from under the arms. I clambered off him, my knees wobbly as I put my leg back in my jeans and tried to do them up. Oh yeah, shit, I had no buttons left, he'd ripped them off.
Glancing down at the ground, I licked my lips to taste him, just one last time.
He stood and tucked himself away. The back of his neck was red from exertion and I hated to think what I looked like.
“Let's sit.” He lowered himself again and patted the ground where I'd just been taken by him.
I frowned as I sat, not moving too close to him, in case he thought I was going to beg. Fuck, I’d basically begged him already. What was wrong with me?
“Why are we sitting?” I studied his hands as they rested on his bent knees.
There were several tattoos, but the one that stood out was a code. I was about ask him about it when he spoke.
“How do you want Brandon to feel pain? You know him,” he said, “what would hurt him the most?”
The change of topic hurt my chest. I ducked my head between my knees, only to bring it straight back up when I smelt his cum radiating from me. Shit, it would take me a moment to forget Moth.
My brain rejected the change of topic?momentarily and I stumbled on my words. “Brandon doesn’t care,” I muttered, “He's a psychic. No, wait, a sociopath.”
Nodding, Moth picked the grass. “That much is clear. So jail? Would that bother him?”I watched him as he stared at the grass, his brow furrowing as he thought. “Or paralysis?”
A snort of laughter burst from me and I bit my lip. “What made you such a hard man? And cold? I actually believe you'd do that.”
His face didn't lighten and he didn't join in my hilarity. The dark shadows that crossed his eyes sobered me immediately.
“Let's just say we were held against our will,” he said, his eyes hooded as if he had a lot to hide. “And made to do things no human should have to. Now, choose Brandon's fate or I'll do it for you.”
Getting to his feet in one swift movement, he stared down at me. My stomach fluttered as I looked up at him, his silhouette highlighted by the sun behind him.
“Jail.” I stood quickly, brushing my damp butt and moving towards the bike. “As long as it's me who puts him in there. He'd stew on that for years” Reaching the bike, I rested a hand on the seat and looked at Moth. “Although even inside, he'd probably hire a hit man to get me or something.”
Sniffing, Moth adjusted his crotch and stroked a hand over the rump of his bike. “I'll make sure you're always protected and–”
“How?” I interrupted, “You'll be gone as soon as he's arrested. I'll be on my own, still looking over my shoulder.”
He clenched his hands either side of him and tilted his head to the side. “I know you don’t have any reason to trust me, but fucking trust me… okay?”
Sucking in a breath, I nodded. If he was going to guarantee that I was safe, then I had to believe him.
“Plus,” he went on, “you've got …Josh, is it? …to look out for you. He certainly wanted to at the hospital.”
His tone was sharp and his cheeks very slightly pinker than his usual pale colour. I searched his gaze, but he turned from me, picked up the helmet I'd dropped in our struggle and handed it to me.
“Yes.” I sighed, holding the helmet against my stomach. “He certainly is a safe option.”
Grunting, he waved for me to put on the helmet, his jaw so tight, I could hear his teeth grinding. Was he jealous? Surely not. He'd told me he wasn't interested. He basically still hated me and punished me with his cock. Not that I minded that part, he was fucking good at it. Yeah, I was still messed up.
“Do you not want to hear my idea to trap him?” I stroked the moth on the helmet. “Brandon, I mean.”
He scratched his jaw, stretching it wide before replying. “You know him better than I do. Go ahead.”
I did know Brandon better, and if we were going to catch him out, I'd have to risk everything. There was no better way to get his attention than to use myself for bait. I just had to make sure that Moth was prepared to allow it to get as far as it had to in order for the police to finally do something.
“The opening night for the dark romance club is soon.” I held up a hand when Moth went to speak. “I know it's a risk trying to do anything there, considering it's my shop, but it will be the most public place. We’re hoping to have a band, some drinks and some readings. We could invite masked men to the event. Hopefully, Brandon will come. I'll then flirt with the other men outrageously, winding him up so much that he follows me into a separate room or downstairs.”
“Okay, so far so good.” He was watching me intently, but I could see the thoughts running through his mind. He was playing the scenario out in his head.
Clearing my throat, I touched the skin where he'd not long choked me. My involuntary shudder caught his attention and he raised his eyebrows.
“Concentrate,” he barked.
He knew exactly what I was thinking about, even though I hadn't said a word. Shit, we were terrible for one another and would always end up rutting like mad, instead of living life.
“I have CCTV in every room in the building,” I said, “so I’ll goad him into hurting me.”
He frowned. “Hurting you?”
“I have to let him do what he wants for the police to actually fucking do anything.” I shrugged. “But, if you're there, you can rescue me just before he kills me.”
His mouth actually dropped open and he looked at me as if I had completely lost it. Okay, so it was extremely risky, but the cops had literally not bothered to check CCTV when I'd told them about the last attack. They didn't give a shit about me and wouldn't until the dickhead did some serious damage with proof.
Stepping closer, Moth glared down at me. “What is wrong with you woman? There's taking someone down, but you don't put yourself in a shit ton of danger to do that. There's other ways.”
“But will it work?”
He huffed and turned away, his shoulders hunched. “You're not fucking doing it. I won't let you get hurt.”
A warmth fluttered in my chest, but I shoved it away. No matter how sentimental my romantic side wanted to make his words, Moth had made things very clear. He was also a man of honour, hence why he’d made his hit list in the first place. He obviously believed in justice and revenge, which was a noble cause. However, sometimes, to get full justice, that person's true colours had to be exposed. Fully.
“You just asked me to trust you,” I snapped, “You've got to return the favour.”
Huffing, he bared his teeth. “Fine, but on one condition. If he gets out of control, I will hurt him. I'm not risking your life to do this, no matter what the cops need.”
“We do need to be clever about it.” I rested the helmet on the bike seat. “There's no question about it. I just… need to stay clean myself. I can't message him or make out that I'm even thinking of him. As long as you and the guys–”
“The guys?”
I nodded. “Your friends. Maybe? Would they help? I know I'm asking a lot, considering they view me as an evil she-demon, but their backup would be crucial. I can't risk my friends and readers.”
“I'll talk to them.” Moth winced when his phone beeped. “We better get going.”
Picking up the helmet, I cradled it in my arm and reached for him as he went to climb on the bike. “Is that a yes on the plan then?”
He looked over his shoulder as he started the engine. The vibration rumbled through me as I waited, staring into his brooding eyes.
“Yes,” he muttered, “we'll go with your plan first. And if it doesn't work…” He grinned manically. “… I'll just kill him.”