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Cole:AlphasOfPenroseHollow AnAndersonBrothersNovel

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Copyright

ChapterOne

ChapterTwo

ChapterThree

ChapterFour

ChapterFive

ChapterSix

ChapterSeven

ChapterEight

ChapterNine

ChapterTen

ChapterEleven

ChapterTwelve

ChapterThirteen

ChapterFourteen

ChapterFifteen

ChapterSixteen

ChapterSeventeen

ChapterEighteen

ChapterNineteen

ChapterTwenty

ChapterTwenty-one

ChapterTwenty-two

ChapterTwenty-three

ChapterTwenty-four

ChapterTwenty-five

ChapterTwenty-six

ChapterTwenty-seven

ChapterTwenty-eight

ChapterTwenty-nine

ChapterThirty

ChapterThirty-one

ChapterThirty-two

ChapterThirty-three

ChapterThirty-four

Afterword

COLE

byShelbyStokes

The following story contains sensitive themes that are not suitable for all readers.

TriggerWarnings: Rape-Threatof.

Mentalillness

Severeviolence

Death

Slavery

Abuse–physical,mental,emotional,verbal. Childabuse–discussed,notdescribed Kidnapping–forcefuldeprivationof/disregardforpersonalautonomy

Dismemberment

Incest–discussed,notdescribed. BDSM–Flogging/Shibari/Spanking

Pleasekeepyourselvessafe.

NotallpathwaystoHeavenpassthroughthefierydepthsofhell:saferoptionsexist Butforthosedeemedworthy,forthesteadfastandresilientsouls,thehardroad revealsabountyevenmoreexquisite.

Despitebeingaperilousjourney,amidstscorchingheatandbillowingsmoke,itoffersakaleidoscopeofsights;flickeringflamesthatdanceandilluminatethepath,casting eerieshadowsupontheruggedterrain Witheverybreath,theairattemptstosmotherthem Itresonateswiththecacophonyofcracklingfire,minglingwiththedistantechoesoftormentedsouls Theirlungswill forevercarrythescentofsulphur,apungentreminderofthetrialsthey’veendured Yet,astheworthynavigatesthistreacherousrealm,aprofoundsenseofpurposecoursesthroughtheirveins Itcarriesstrength,fuellingthemwithanunwavering determination Andwhentheyemerge,triumphant,intotheetherealrealmofParadise,theexperiencewillelevateandenrichtheirsouls Anditisinthatmomentthattheir journeyyieldsitsreward.

So,forthoseofyouwhoarestillwithme,takeaseatandfastenyourbonnetssecurely. LikeAvery,itistimetotakethefirststep,turnthepage,andsettleinforabumpyride

ShelbyStokesxxx

ChapterOne

AreYouTheShovelOrTheShit?

Cole

ATORMENTEDSCREAMfilledtheabandonedfactory:thesavageshrieks,astarkdichotomytotheclassicalmusic filteringthroughthespeakers. Macabre. That’swhatitwas.Asymphonytothedramaticandsickeningslashesofredagainst thewhite-plasticsheetontheconcretefloor Itwasaparadoxofgrotesquebeauty,andColewasinhiselement

Readytopartfleshoncemore,theoverheadspotlightcastaglintonColton’ssword,reflectinginhismanicgrinand creatinganeeriespectacle.Itwasasighttobehold;cultivatingCole’sowndarknessashesmirkedinapproval.Hewasglad thattheyfoundapermanentspacefortheWetwork.

Therundownbuildingwasfifteenmilesawayfromtown:along-forgottenunitinthemiddleofnowhere,hiddenfrom viewbyathicketofpinetreessurroundingtheperimeter.Withthehelpofdiscretecontacts,ittooklittletimetoupgradeoneof theundamagedchimneysintoaninductionfurnace,sobodydisposalwasnolongeranissueeither Thatthespacealways seemedtosmelllikeawetdogass-fuckedabadgerwasinconsequential.

Withhisweaponslackinhisgrip,Coltonairdrummedandpirouettedtoametalrenditionof“Ave Maria” Cole’s bloodsurgedwithexaltationasthemarkswearywhimperharmonisedwiththesurroundingchorus.Theheavy-set,nakedand baldingmansatinawoodenseat;areinforceditemthat,totheunacquaintedobserver,appearedtobethesortofshityoucould pickupforatennerfromanyDIYstore.Thatlittledeceptionwasthefirstrungonthetortureladder;lullingtheirpreyintoa falsesenseofsecurity Thechairlookedlikeitwouldshattertheseconditfellbackandstrucktheconcrete,freeingthe bindings.

Colechuckledattheillusion,watchingcontentedlyasthecretincontinuedhisattemptstogainfreedom GavinBray’s whineturnedintoawail;hisfailureandpainwereclear,andthemanappearedhalf-crazedasiteruptedfromhismouth. Shouldersstraining,hisarmspulledbehindhim;securedwithnaturaljutetothewood-encasedmetalpolesthatformedthe backrestofhisseat.Themoaningmaggotattemptedtoyankathisbindingsoncemore;hisgazefranticlyseekingescapeora stayofexecution,butthecentimetre-thicktwistedropeheldstrong thechairdidn’tbudge.

‘Gavin,poorGavin,’Creedcrooned,lightlygrippingCole’sshoulderashesteppedoutfrombehindhim.Themiddle Andersonsiblingranhisfingersthroughhisshort,jet-blackhairashemadehiswaytowardsthemark.Theopennessthat emanatedfromhismasquerademadeeveryonefeelateaseinhispresence ‘Sometimes,you’reontopoftheworld,andother times,rottinginthegutter.What’sitgoingtobetoday?Areyoutheshovelortheshit?’ButMrBraydidn’tgettogivean answer notthatanyofthemexpectedone

Thecurrentmusicalinterludewasending,andtheyoungestAndersonwasyettofinishplaying.‘Prayforussinners,’ hesangasthemarkwailed,theKodachiswordslippingoutofGavin’sstomachwithasquelch Colescoffedasheadmired Colton’saim.Everytimehisbrothertookashot,itmiraculouslyavoidedhittinganyvitalorgans.Noneofthemwantedtogive theirpreyaquickdeath,buthissurgicalprecisionwasagiftthatsethimapart

Colewastheoldest,andthemostliketheirfathertolookat,butthatwaswherethesimilaritiesended.Thatdegenerate wasasorryexcuseforaman,andhisthirstforsupremacywarpedhismind;ruininghisfamilylongbeforetheirmotherloved hersons.Whenhewasbornandhispowerfulenergysignatureemerged,thespermdonorforcefullyviolatedhisownwife, drivenbythedesiretoconceiveanotherchild Creedarrived alphaasexpected thenColtonninemonthslater Butthe combinedpowerthattheirfatherdemandedcamewithasteeppricetag.

Asob,brokenandfilledwithdespair,pulledColebacktothepresent.‘Idon’tknowhisname,’Gavinwheezed,saliva drippingfromhisgapingmaw,hiseyesnowswollenshut.

Atsomepoint,hisyoungestsiblingseemedtohaveabandonedtheideaofusinghisweaponandresortedtoutilising hisknuckles.Witharaisedarm,Creedoutstretchedhishand,signallingforhimtopauseashepreparedtostrikeanotherblow.

‘C’mon,’Coltonhissed,bouncingfromfoot-to-foot Theunwelcome,thoughtemporaryrepressionofhisenjoyment darkenedthebrightnessofhisfrenziedgaze.

Withahufftohighlighthisannoyance,heremovedtheblackbandfromhiswristandrakedhishandsthroughhis shoulder-lengthhair,lettingoutanexasperatedsighbeforetyingitawayfromhisface.RemovingtheMarlboroLightsfromthe backpocketofhisjeansandretrievingtwofrominsidethepacket,hisfrustratedgazemetCole’s Butthedarknesswithinhim

hadalreadyretreatedintotheshadows,leavingonlytheglareofhisirritationasheplacedacigarettebehindeachear.

Colecrackedhisneckandshiftedhissix-foot-fourframeashemirroredColton’sdispleasure Hewasnotagoodman; noneofthemwere.Mercenarieshiredouttothehighestbidder.TheAndersonsandtheirteamofmencalledthemselves The Brethren Lonealphasandbetaswhodidn’thavepackstocalltheirown,androguesabandonedbytheirfamily Eachmember willinglysubmittedtotheunquestionedauthorityofthethreebrothers.

Theywereruthlesswolf-shifterswhoweren’tafraidtotakeoutthetrash likeGavinthefucktard.Buttheydidn’t killandmaimforshitsandgiggles.TheycheckedeveryjobthatfounditswayontothetableagainsttheirfairyetstrictCodeof conduct.

Whiletheirfocuswasn’talwaysontheethical,honourableormoralcodes,theyneverworkedtomaketherich-men richer.Theydealtwithrapistsandrobbers.ThesortofscumthatplaguedthegoodcitizensofPenroseHollow.Thepreyofthe daywasarevolting,morallybankruptindividual.Akiddy-fiddling,granny-killing,walkingcadaver.Hedeservedeverything theydeliveredandtherestthatwasyettocome.

Withahuff,Creedreleasedabreath,hiswaningpatienceonfulldisplay.Amongthethreebrothers,hehadthewarmest smileandthemostwelcomingdemeanour.Aroundhim, The Brethren feltadeepsenseofcomradery,asifhepossessedan irresistiblemagnetismthatpulledthemtowardshim.‘Wheredidyougetthepictures,MrBray?’hetriedagain,holdingupthe deviant’sphonetoshowthemantheexactphotoshewasreferringto,butGavinjustshookhishead,sweat,andblood splatteringagainstthewhite-plasticsheetbeneathhischair

Colewassuretherollsofpolythenekeptgrowing.Theheavy-dutymembranemustbesix-timesthesizeofwhatthey onceused Theyallgotalittleartisticwithtorture,butColtontookittoanotherlevel;woebetidethefoolwhocrossedhis pathifhisbrotherwasn’tbathedinbloodwithaseveredheadinhishandsbythetimetheywerefinished.

Hechuckledsoftly;hisyoungestbrother’sdramaticflairneverfailedtoentertainhim,butahackingracketofgrunts causedhimtofrown.Gavinwaslaughing.Despitetheswelling,Colecouldmakeouthiseyesastheyrolledbackintheir sockets Themarkclampedhismouthshut

AsighvibratedagainstCole’slipsashisshouldersslumpedindefeat.Heknewtheywouldn’tbegettingany informationfromhim,thoughnotbecausethemanwasloyal;hesuspectedGavindidn’thave any knowledgeregardingthe upperechelonwhoorchestratedthetraffickingofchildren.

CreedturnedtofaceCole;hiseyebrowsraisedinquestion TheywereaPack,despiteallofthembeingalphas Blood andapainfulupbringingkeptthemfromtearingeachother’sthroatsoutinafightfordominance.Theyeachhadavoicein everyaspectoftheirwork,butoften,bothyoungerbrothersdeferredtohimandhispositionastheoldestAnderson

Colereleasedaninvoluntarysigh,hiscoverallswishingashesteppedforwardfromhisspotafewfeettotheleftof Gavin Coltonraisedhishandsoutasanothersongreacheditsclimax;hisbare-chestcoveredinbloodandhisdeep-tenor resoundingthroughthelargespaceashewentbacktodancingaroundthebleedingmark.

ThevulgarscentofexcrementandpissinvadedCole’snostrils,makinghimgrunt Hisgazefollowedtherich-red liquidrunningfreelyfromthemultiplelacerationscoveringGavin’storso.Thefaintshineofhisskinhadtakenonagrey pallor,andifthewheezinggaspsescapinghisexertedlungswereanysign,thenMrBraydidn’thavelongbeforehebreathed hislast.

Knowingmoleculesofshitwouldtaintthemark’sfinalbreathgavehimaspringinhisstep Whenyoulivedinaworld likehis,youhadtocelebratethesmallwins.

Rubbinghischininashowofirritation,Coleletoutadramatichuff Hisbabybrotherneededalessoninpatience,so he’dattemptoncemoretogetsomethingoutofthemark.Thoughthemanwasahiredkill,theimagestheyfoundonhismobile hadnothingtodowiththecontract ItlinkedhimtothechildtraffickingThe Brethren hadbeendigginginto Yetsofar,they’d comeupwithnoleads.

‘Therearepicturesofnakedchildrenonyourphone Whosentthem?Thisisyourchanceatredemption,MrBray,’ Coleclarified,hisvoiceevendespitehisirritationanddisgust.‘You’realreadydead,butI’manunderstandingfellow,soif youhaveanylastconfessionsbeforeyoumeetyourmaker,now’syourtimetoaskforforgiveness.’

Salvation for a paedophile’s soul?

Hescoffed,unabletocontainhiscontempt Gavinleftasickeningtrailofvictimsinhiswake;theyoungestbeingonly nineyearsold.Childrenwhoseinnocencehestole;theirlivesforevertaintedbyhissickdepravation.So,no.Redemptionwas notonoffer Coledidn’tknowiftherewasaGod,andiftherewas,hesuspectedtherewouldbemorethanasingleentity: nearlyeight-billionsoulstoshepherdweretoo-tall-a-taskforone,surely?

Hestruggledtoputstockinanythinghecouldn’tseehimself,buthehadfaiththattherewasaspecialspotinhell,or

whateverversionofitexisted,reservedformonsterslikeGavin.

Amournfulgroanescapedthemark,hisheadfloppingforward;theropesbindinghishandstothechairwastheonly thingkeepinghimupright.Thebrothershadbeenatitfortwohoursandboredomhadlongsincesetin.

Colerolledhiseyes,dragginghisforefingeracrosshisneck;smirkingasthemaniacalgrinreturnedtoColton’sblood splatteredface.ItwidenedwhentheopeningnotesofCarl Orff’s “O Fortuna” boomedoutfromthespeakers.

‘Velutluna’Coltoncurtsied ‘Statuvariabilis,’hebellowed,stretchingoutthewords,prancingontheballsofhisfeet likeaMaypoledancerashereachedfortheKatanaontheportabletabletohisright.

Thebrotherskeptmanytoolsofthetradelockedawayintheundergroundstoragedentheyfoundbuiltintoasectionof thefactory’sfoundations.TheyoungestAndersonhadfixatedonweaponsofaJapaneseorigintoday,includingthefive differentTantoswordshehadalreadyused

Creedsniggered,andCole’ssmirkmorphedintoarare,full-blownsmileasColtonmadehiswaybacktoMrBraylike aspider Asheheldthesworddeftlybetweenhishands,heexecutedaswiftkick,connectinghisrightfootwiththemark’s face.Gavingasped;hisheadforceduprightashemoaned.

AsnapsoundedoutasCreedputonapairofblack-latex-gloves HisfingerstracedtheKusarigama,draggingacross theattachedchain.Colethoughtitlookedlikeaminiaturescythe;itwasn’tagoodall-rounderweapon,butitwasflashyand madeanexcellenttalkingpointduringthepsychologicalpre-torturewarm-up

Hisbrotherchangedcourseandreachedforthegardenshears.

Colerolledhisneck;allthetensioninhisbodyevaporatingwhilehewatchedCreedliftGavin’sflaccidpenis.Awail ofagonyeruptedperfectlyintimewiththesongwhenheprunedtheoffendingappendage.Bloodgushedoutinspurtsfromthe raw,mangledstumplikeageyserasCreeddroppedtheuselesslumpoffleshtothefloor

Otherthanwantingtheman’spainfuldeath,cuttingoffhisdickwastheonlyrequesttheirclienthadmade.

AferociousroarescapedColton’slips,markinghimasanaturalpredatorreadytostrikedownhishelplessprey. ‘Mecumomnesplangite,’hethundered,theKatanaswiftasitarcedtowardsthebottom-feeder’sneck.

Asathudreverberatedthroughthefactory,Colecasuallywipedawaythewarmspecksofbloodthatsplatteredacross hischeek MrBray’sheadrolledacrossthesheet,comingtoastopjustbeforehim

‘Beautifullydone,’CreedcongratulatedasColtonretrievedhisseveredtrophyfromthefloor,holdingittighttohis chestashedancedhiswaybacktothemark HeremovedacigarettefrombehindoneearandputitinsideGavin’smouth, softlystrokingthelifelesscheekasthemusiccontinuedtoplay.‘I’llcallDonovanandDeaconforaclean-up.Youknowhow muchheenjoystheflames’Creedchuckled,steppinguptoundothebindingskeepingMrBray’sbodyboundtothechair

Colesmiled,hisheadshakinginamusement.Deaconenjoyedthescentofburningfleshevenmore.

EverymemberofThe Brethren hadtheirowneccentricities Noonecameintothefoldwithacleanslate,andhe wouldn’tjudgeanyofthemforhowthicktheirownlayerofgrimewas.Hewasafirmbelieverindoingwhateverittookto surviveinthisunforgivingworld

Creed’seyesgleamedwithintensityashelaidGavinoutonthesheet,capturingaphotographofhismutilatedcorpse asproofofthekill

‘Holdyourhorses,’Coltonmumbled,hisowncigaretteclutchedbetweenhisteethasheplayedhopscotchwiththe splattersofblood

Coledidn’tknowwhyhebotheredtryingtoavoidit.Itclungtohisbodylikeasecondskin.Hisbrother’smuffled gigglesfilledtheroom,blendingwiththesquelchingsoundofeachstephetook Themetallicscentofcopperwasawelcome reprievefromwetdogandbadger,buthestillfeltamixtureoffrustrationandexasperationashewonderedhowColtonalways endedupinthismessypredicament

Whowashekidding?Heexperiencedmorethanatingeofamusementashewatchedhislittlebrotherplacehisprize backdownonthefloor ThesoundofCreed’sboisterouslaughterfilledthespace,blendingwithCole’schuckles,whileColton positionedtheheadunderGavin’sarmpit,ensuringhismotionlessarmcradleditsecurely.

Coleturnedandremovedhiscoverall ‘SendthepictureandtellPollytowaivethefee,’heinstructed

TheMechanicwhohiredthemwouldsellhishouseandhissoultogetrevengeonthemanwhorapedhisdaughter,but hewouldn’tneedtobecausethisonewasonThe Brethren.

Rotmightbegetrot,butheandhisbrothersintendedtousetheirtwistedmindsforgoodwherevertheycould.

‘I’llseeyoubothbackattheclub,’headded,throwingthedisposableclothingontopofMrBray.

ChapterTwo

SheHasTeeth Cole

COLE’SBLOODTHRUMMEDthroughhisveins;aheadymixofsatisfactionandrighteoushungerpoundingasteadybeat insidehischest.Heandhiswolfwerestillridingthehighthatcamefromdeliveringthatcold,hardvengeance.

Itwasn’tjustice,anditwouldn’tgivetheyounggirlbackherinnocence,butitwasonelessdemonontheboard.

Theofficedoorcreakedopenslightlyafterasingle,politeknock,dragginghisattentionfromthecomputerasLewis’s headpoppedintoview,hishandswiftlymovinginathumbs-upgesture.‘Alltonight’sbandshavearrived,andthebarstaffare finishingfillingupstock.’

‘ThanksLewis.GotoCreedifyouhaveanyissuestonight.’

Thebetawolftiltedhishead,acknowledginghiswordswithanod.‘Understood,boss.’

Withasoftclick,thedoorclosed,andCole’seyesdartedbacktothescreen,meticulouslycheckingthemembers’only bookingsforthenight Spottingthelasttwoavailablerooms,hewastednotimeinreservingoneforhimself,fillingthe otherwisesilentofficewiththesteadyrhythmofhistyping.

Anitchhadbeennigglinghimallday,sohe’dalreadymessagedasubmissive,hopingtoscratchit.

Hecrackedhisneck;thesoundechoingthroughtheroomasheletoutarelievedsigh Inhislineofwork,hehadto keepathicklayerofapathyaroundhisheartandhead.Thesortofmonstershedealtwithexposedhimtoheinouscrimes. Despitehispsychologicalimpenetrability,heunveiledavulnerablesideduringthosesessions,exploringthedepthsofhis emotions.

Therewasaplethoraofenjoymenttobehadbycuratingandsharingatemporaryemotionalbondwithasubmissive, readinghermentalandphysicalcuestogiveherwhatsheneeded Leadinghertosub-spacewasaheadyexperiencethat broughtwithitaheightenedawarenessofherheartbeat,herbreathing,herpeace.Andin-turn,anunderstandingofwhohewas, becauseunderneaththeheartlesskiller,Colewasn’tascoldashemadeout

HisenjoymentofBDSMhadnothingtodowithlosinghimself;itwasaboutbeingincontrol.Itallowedhimtosoften hisheart:asafeplacetolethisguarddown Allthesubsheplayedwithknewhewouldn’toffermorethanhispalmandhis flogger hiscockiftheywerebothinclined buttakingcareofsomeonesoftandwarmsmoothedoverthecracksinhis shadowedsoul Itwashissmallpieceofcomfortinhisotherwisedarkandharshworld

Hisfocuswasabruptlypulledawaybytheelectronictrillingofhismobile,asmileinstantlylightinguphisfaceas Cheryl’sreplyflashedonthescreen Anticipationgrewlikeawildfire,hismindracingwiththoughtsofherarrivalinjusta fewhours.Theday’sburdensliftedfromhisshouldersasheswitchedoffthecomputer,leavinghisofficewithasenseof relief.

Hepushedopenthefiredoor,steppingoutontothegroundfloor,asenseofprideoverwhelminghimashetookstock oftheclub’sincredibletransformationsincetheyfirstgotit

They’dopened Encore sixyearsagoafterbuyingandrenovatingtheold Lofty Mine warehouse.Justontheoutskirtsof PenroseHollow,thepreviousowneruseditforstoragewhenthemineralextractingsitewasstillinuse Noonehadtakencare ofthedilapidatedbuildinguntilthebrotherspurchasedtheland.

Theareawasfamousforminingtinandcopper,butthoseminesclosedalongtimeago,andmostoftheoutlying factoriesandwarehousesnolongeroperated.Thingsweren’tlookinggreatforthetown,butafewyearsbacktheyannounced thatanewminewasextractingbattery-gradelithiumcarbonate

Itgavetheareaamuch-neededeconomicboost.Thatledtotheopeningofahigh-riseoffice,housingabranchfora telecommunicationcompany Housesandschoolspoppedup,ashoppingcentrewithcafes,andjustlikethat,sleepyPenrose Hollowwasbackinfavour.

Thetownhadafewtraditionalpubsscatteredabout,buttherewasnoplaceelseforthelocalstounwind Unlessthey fanciedabus-ridetothenextclosestclub,twenty-milesaway. Encore openedeveryevening,cateringtodifferentcrowds dependingontheday

Nighthadyettofall,anditwouldbeanotherhourbeforetheyletinpatrons twobeforetheystartedreaching

capacity butmusicwasalreadypumpingoutthroughthespeakersasThursday’slivebandscontinuedtosetup.

Coleheadedtowardsthefoyerthatledtothefrontentranceway,noddingingreetingtoabassguitaristrunningthrough fretsononeofthesmallstagestohisright,buthisgazesnappedtoPolly,hisnumbersgirl,asshebarrelledthroughthelarge doubledoors

Thediminutivewomanhadafaircomplexion,herauburnhairusuallypulledbackinatightbunatthenapeofherneck. Shealwaysseemedonedge,nevermakingeyecontactwithhim,insteadchoosingtostaredownatherfeetwheneverthey crossedpaths.

Butrightnow,shewasindisarray,tendrilsescapingthecrow’snestontopofherhead,andtwinangryredcircles stainedhercheeks.Ascowlhardenedherelflikefeatures,awhiffofangerfillingtheair.

ForthepasttwoyearsshehadbeenhandlingThe Brethren’s books,hermagicalloopholesensuringthegovernment sawaslittleofthebrothers’hard-earnedcashaspossible.Sheknewwhattheirworkentailed,atleastenoughtohandlethe financialsideofthebrotherhood,anyway

Coleheldouthishand,leaningtotheleftalittletocatchhergaze.‘Woah,where’sthefire?’

Herstepsfalteredasshecametoaskiddingstop Pushingherthick-rimmedglassesbackupthebridgeofhernose,she repliedwithapoultry,‘Sorry.’Shedidn’tlookathim,butkepthereyescastdown,thatangermorphingintofearasshegripped theedgeofherbeigecardigan

Hefrowned,hisgazescanningherbodyasshebentinonherself.‘Areyoufinishedfortheday?’Heknewshelikedto gethomebeforeitgotdark Infact,hethoughtshehadalreadyleft

Shepulledatherclothing,chewingherlip.Ifitwasn’tforthedistinctscentofherwolf,hewouldhavedoubtedshe wasashifter Shelackedthesteelspinethatcameasstandardamongsttheirspecies Beingeasilyspooked,sheseemedto gravitatetothecornersofaroom,preferringtheseclusionofherowncompany.

Hehadapermanentimageinhisheadofhercurledupinareadingchair,hernoseinabook,amugofhotchocolate balancingprecariouslyonthearmrest.Ithadalwaysstruckhimasoddthatsherequiredglassesbecausewolveshadperfect vision Colehadassumedshewastheruntofalargelitter,butherbackgroundcheckshowednosiblings

Finally,shegatheredherselfenoughtosay,‘I,um,forgotsomething,’asshedancedfromfoottofoot,thescentofher anxietyincreasing

Thatwasn’ttooabnormal,though.Hewasheralpha,butthatseemedtobeherdefaultmode.Shewasthesamewith allofthem,hisbrothers,andtheothermembersofThe Brethren

‘Noworries Takeiteasy,Polly’

Withanod,shebrushedastrandofloosehairbehindherearsasshepartiallybowed,andpartcrumpledintothewall. Sheedgedpasthim,herbodytense,herentirebeingpulsatingwithaninnatefearthatmadeCole’sguiltgrow.Hehadtried everythingtomakeherfeelcomfortablearoundhimandhisbrothers,butsheremainedastimidasafrightenedmouse.

Thesameonethathadstumbledintotheclubtwoyearsago,searchingforajob,butclearlyindireneedofapack,and analphatoprovideherwithasenseofsecurity.

Theywerefarfromatraditionalpack Therewasnosharedlandwithtight-knithousing Nomasshuntsandhowlingat themoon.Theywerejustagroupofshifters,allstraddlingthelinebetweentheirlupineandhumannaturesinvaryingdegrees, allwillingtofighttothedeathtodefendtheirbrothersandsister

That’snottosaythatitdidn’ttakeawhileforsometogetusedtoher;shewastheonlyfemaleafterall,andher eccentricitymadethemhesitant Butitworked,andeverymembernowacceptedherintothefold

ColeknewthatColton,whohadatendencytowatchherfromtheshadows,probablydidn’thelpherskittishnature. Perhapsshewouldbemoreateasewithotherfemalesbeingbroughtintothepack However,theyhadsomuchontheirplates thattheydidn’thavetimetoconsiderit,letalonediscussit.

Atthemoment,thiswasthewaythingsstood

Asmileslowlyemergedonhisfaceashepushedopenthedoubledoors,knowingthathislittlebrother’speculiarities wereassteadfastasPolly’ssensitivity Overtime,theywoulddiscoverhowtocoexistandbuildaharmoniousrelationship,he wassureofit.

Hechuckled,thesoundcarryingthroughtheairylayoutofthefoyerashisfeetcarriedhimonautopilottowardsthe hiddenstairway.

Hisdestinationwastheupperlevelhesplitwithhisbrothers Theydividedthespaceintofoursections,creatinga

senseoforganisationandstructure.Asharedopen-plannedkitchenanddiningarea,perfectforentertainingguests,ifthe occasionshouldeverarise.Therewasacommunalloungewithtwoleathersofas,andthreespaciousbedrooms,eachequipped withitsownEnsuite Morethanenoughprivacytolivetogethercomfortably

Colewantedtoeatandhaveashowerbeforechangingfortheevening’sfestivities

Mentallytickingoffthechecklistforhiseveningplans,Colecontinuedhispathtotheprivateexitwhenthefront entranceopened,thecool,latesummerbreezedriftinginthroughthespace.

Hisstepsfalteredashiswolfstirred;atinglestartedatthebaseofhisspine.

Hefrownedattheoddity,hisgazesnappingtothegirlstridingtowardshim.

Headdown,pitch-blackhairinamessbeneaththecapobscuringherface,sheambledthroughthedoor.Abaggy,darkbluehoodyconcealedherfigure,andahintofuneasebledthroughassherepositionedherbackpack,thentoyedwiththestrap onhershoulder.

Was it a nervous trait? Anote of innocence, perhaps.

Coledidn’tmoveasshestrolledtowardshim,butheplantedhisfeetashereadiedforthecollision.Hisbloodsurged withexcitementashershouldercrashedintohiselbow,hergaspasshetightenedhergriponthebackpacktostopitfrom fallingchiminginhisears.

Heforcedatraceofirritationintohisstance.‘Watchwhereyou’regoing,’hesaidasanunfamiliarscentdriftedinto hisawareness.

Shemustbenewhere.Coledidn’tbotherwiththeday-to-daydealings thehiringandfiringofbarstaffwasCreed’s department thoughheknewallthosecurrentlyemployed,andthebitofscruffbeforehimwasunknown,yetapleasant curiosityonhisradar.

How unexpected

Herreplywasagrunt,thesoundlowandmenacing,sendingathrilluphisspine.Evidently,he’dgetnoapology.A smilecreptacrosshisface,amaliciousexpressionthatshouldhavesetoffalarmbellsinhermind Asitstood,shesimply didn’tcaretolookup.Hecouldn’tdeterminewhetheritwasbecauseshebelievedhewasn’tworthyofherattentionorifit waspurelytoomuchefforttoarticulateherthoughts

Allheknewwasthatthedesiretotouchheragainoverwhelmedhim,leavinghimwithnootherchoice.

Hegrippedherarmgently,feelingthesubtleheatseepingthroughherclothingandintohispalm ‘Whatwasthat?’he asked.Therewasathicknessinhisthroat,andheheardthehoarsequalityofhisvoicedespitehisattempttoportray annoyance Hefrownedasanoddpullinhisgutdemandedheclosethedistance,buthisconfusionwasside-linedasherbody froze,tensingupinhisgrip.

Thoughhecouldn’tbesureifitwastheraspyedgeofhistoneorhisforcefulhandling,herevelledinthereaction It wasadisplayofsubmissivenessthatgothiscockstirringinhistrousers.

Sheopenedhermouth,butherangerseepedoutofherskin,shatteringhisfaultyassumptionsassheseemedtofightto containagrowl.‘I’msorry.’

Cole’sliptwitchedinamusement

Hmm She has teeth Awolf in sheep’s clothing

‘Speakup,girl,’hesaid,feelinganoddlyaggressivedesiretoprovokeandchallengeher.

Herheadtiltedtowardshim,hergazestillhiddenfromview,buttheringofgoldhuggingherbottomlipcaughtthe fluorescentlightfromabove.Cole’scockhardenedfurther.Itwaseagertofeelherinsolenttongueasitdartedout,touchingthe hoopbrieflybeforedisappearing

Asighescapedherperfectlyformedmouth,makingherownannoyanceclearasafakesmilecurvedherplumplips. Sherepeated,‘I’msorry’Thoughthewordsweresweetenough,therewasanundeniablevenombehindthem,whichhe seemedtoenjoymorethantheideaofherprostration.

Shewasnotlikethewomanhefucked Notatall Herfieryspiritburnedbrightlywithinher,aforcethatwould demandhesubmit.Heneverwould,yethefoundhewasratherenjoyingthedance.

Histongueswipedhisteeth,hisbloodpumpingfastthroughhisveins Somethingaboutthebitofscruffniggledathis senses.Thethrillofknowinghewasaffectingher,justassheaffectedhim,filledhimwithdelight.‘Goodgirl,’hesaid,his chucklebarelyconcealed

Herbodyturnedtautathisapproval.Colegulpedandthesalivapoolinginhismouththreatenedtobreachhislips.A

flashofintenseheatspreaduphisneck,matchingtheblushofhercheeks

Well, well Aren’t you all kinds of interesting?

Withasuddenjolt,shetoreherarmfreefromhisgrip.Hebegrudginglysteppedasideasshebarrelledpastandsaid, ‘Weirdo,’beforepushingherwaythroughtheinternaldoubledoors

Colewatchedheroverhisshoulder.Hiscuriositypeekedasshedisappearedfromhisview.

Herubbedhischin,feelingafainttickleonthetipsofhisfingers.Thememoryoftouchingherlingered.

Helickedhislips,astrangesenseoflongingbuildinginhischest ‘Ifonlyyouknew,Cupcake’

ChapterThree

HeHadAnOverwhelmingUrgeToKneelBeforeHerAsSheRaged Cole

THECLUBBUZZEDwithpulsatingmusicandacontagiousenergyasColewalkedthroughthefoyerdoors,noddingtothe bounceronduty.

Ethan’sstone-coldmaskmorphedintoanenigmaticgrin.‘Yousmellthat?’heasked.‘Pheromonesandperfume. Fuckingdelicious,’hechuckled.

Colesmirked,hisgazedriftingtothestrobelightsthatdancedacrosstheblackglossysurfaces,castingcolourful reflections.Smoothmarbleandglassinvitedfingertipstoglideandexplore,andthevioletvelvetboothsenvelopedpatrons, providingaluxuriousandintimateenvironmenttounwind

Thestaffmovedwithprecision,theirshirtsavibrantindigopopagainstthesleekblackbackdrop Whilethebass thumpedthroughthefloor,reverberatingthroughthemassofbodies,alreadysuccumbingtothesenseofeuphoriathathungin theair.

Encore wasasensoryplayground,charmingallwhoentered.

Fluorescentpurpleandsoft-yellowlightingimmersedthecircularspaceinawarmglow Butthemainstage,drenched inthecaptivatingcrimsonhuefromspotlights,dominatedthescene,whiletwosmallerset-upsstoodoneitherside.

Thebrothershadconstructedtheentiregroundfloorarounddancing,drinking,andmusic yourstandardnightclub

OneofCreed’sregularbandswasfinishingtheirlastsongasColeslippedthroughthethrongofrevellerslikeaghost Reachingthe Members Only alcove,hehoppedthevelvetrope.NoddingtoElliot,anotherbouncer,ingreeting,hetookthe spiralstaircasetwostepsatatime.

Thesmelloflemonfurniturepolishandwhiskeyworkeditsusualmagicashereachedthelanding,hismindfinallyin therightplaceforalittleone-on-onewithCheryl.

Asardonicsnortescapedhim.‘Whoareyoukidding?’

Ithadtakenalotmorethanthescentofwhiskytogethimthere.Afreezingshowerandahard-fistedwankcouldn’t completelyerasethattastymorselandherfragranceoutofhissystem.Theunknownfemalehadapowerfulallurethat enchantedhiswolf,whohadbeenrestlesslypacinginsidesinceshelefthisorbit.

Coleundoneanotherofthebuttonsonhisdark-greyshirt,hisskinburningupashestrolledacrosstheblack-carpetof thefirstfloor.Incontrasttothemesmerisingdécorofdownstairs,thislevelexudedanairofsexydecadencewithitsdark woodandsumptuousfurnishings.

Runninghishandalongthetopofared-leatherwingbackchair,henoddedathishonorarybrother ‘Sofar?’heasked Donovanwinked.‘Sogood,’heanswered.

Hisfriendwasamanoffewwords,butstillhisfirstchoicewhenpotentialDominantsneededmonitoring,likethetwo heretonight,stillgoingthroughCole’sstrictapprovalprocess.

Beyondbeinganightclub, Encore wasasafeplacetopractiseBDSM.Thisfloorwasforconsentingadultswho enjoyedcertaintypesoferoticplay.Asubstantialportionofwhichwascurrentlyliningtheironrailingrunningthelengthofthe level,allowingtheperfectviewofthelargestagebelow

ThepracticeswithinBDSMwereextensive,butEncore wasn’taplaceforaDomwhorequiredacompletepower exchange Colewouldn’triskhavinganymemberswhomightabusethecontroltheyheld Hebeganthispartofthebusinessas ahealthyoutletforsomeofhismen.Itkeptalittlebalanceintheirotherwisebrutalexistences.

Hisgazescannedthefarcorner:thespotallottedforthedancercagesCreedwantedtoinstall.Itwouldmeanrippinga sectionofthewalldownandlosingtwooftherooms,butColewasslowlycomingaroundtotheidea.

Thequotesgivenbycompanieshappytocarryouttheworkwerereasonable;theonehisbrotherpickedwasfreeto startnextweek.Hedoubtedthosewhoheldamembershipwouldmindhavingaportionoftheupperlevelboardedoffduring construction.

ThelowercrowdcheeredasthebandfinishedandhespottedCreedatthecentreofthemenandwomanliningthe

railings.Somemembersworeleather,thesubswhohadpartnersworecollars,butmostofthemhadoptedforsmartyet comfortableattire.

Hepulledhisgazebacktohisbrother,noticinghowhislargehandsgrippedtherailashelookeddownatthestage asmirkliftinghismouth Hissix-foot-threeframewasimposingbutsomewhatsoftenedbyhisopen-expressionandlazysmile Hewasa switch, socravedbothgivingandreceivingabiteofpain,andhisshort-trimmedhairandclean-shavenfacemeant findingpartnerstosatisfyhishedonisticpursuitseasy.

Curious,ColemadeabeelineforthemiddleAndersonbrother,wonderingwhoheldhimsoenraptured.

‘What’sgotyousoengrossed?’heasked,grippingholdoftherailingashestoppedbesidehim Creedshookhishead,hissmirkmergingintoafull-blownsmile.DevilishgreyeyesflittedtoColeashenodded towardtheheavy-metalbandonthemainplatform

Aslowdrum-solosoundedoutashisgazelandedonthecentreofthestage,thebreathinhislungscatchingas unbridledlustrumbledthroughhisbody Likeamandyingofthirst,hedrankinthesightofthedark-hairedbeautyslowly swayingonastool:thegentlegyrationofherhipssetasteadythruminhisveins.Hescratchedhischin,hisfingersdemanding adistraction

Thelowlightingmadeherhairlookcrimson-redasitswishedsensuallyacrossherbare-arms.Blackmaterial deprivedherofsightasshehitthesnareandthehihat,herfeetworkingthebassdruminaslowandsexybeatasotherband memberstooktheirplaces.

HerecognisedDwight,theleadguitarist Hewasthemanageroftheband,oneoftheclubs’regulars Thetall,wellbuiltmanwhisperedsomethinginthedark-hairedbeauty’sear.Shenodded;herhandsstillingthesnareastheopeningkeysof Avenged Sevenfold, “Critical Acclaim,” setthecrowdalight.

Colefelttheworlddriftingaway,thesirenatthedrumsdemandinghisfullattention.Heshookhishead,forcinghis gazeelsewhereasheswallowedagainstthetightnessinhisthroat Hewipedhissuddenlyslickpalmsagainsthistrousers; openedhismouthandcoughedtoloosenthevice-liketensionholdinghisvocalcords.

Lickinghisdrylips,heforcedwordsout ‘Newdrummer?’heasked

Theenchantressdrewhisgazeoncemore;herpullinsistent.

Christ,hewasthirsty.Allthemoistureinhisbodyseemedtohaveescapedthroughhishands.Hismouthfeltbarren, desperatetoquenchthehungerburninginhisgut.

IfCreednoticedthathisbrothernowsoundedlikeaforty-a-daysmoker,hedidn’tshowit.‘Jasonhasaninjuryor something,’hesaid,notbotheringtolookCole’sway ‘Dwightbroughthertoreplacehimforafewweeks I’llgetatemporary contractsortedlater.’

Withasigh,hisshouldersslumped,hisgratitudeforthedistractionmanifestinginaphysicalrelease.‘How’sDwight’s inductiongoing?Deaconthoughthehadsomepromise.’

Theleadguitaristwasahulkofaman LikemostmembersofThe Brethren,hewasanalphaandhadalltherighttraits forthebrotherhood’sdarkerlineofwork.

Creedrubbedhischin ‘Theman’sgottheballsforit Quiteafewoftheboysclickwellwithhim He’sheldaMasterlevelmembership here forthepasttwelvemonths,sothat’shelpedswaythingsinhisfavour.I’mnotentirelyconvincedthat he’dbecapableofbaringhisneck,butDonovanwantstotakehimunderhiswing,sounlessyouhaveanyconcerns,weshould lethimshadowtheduo.’

Colenoddedinapproval DeaconandDonavanweregoodpeopleandenjoyedtheWetwork Theyweren’tas colourfulasColtonwithhandling contracts,butitwouldbeabaptismoffireforDwight.Itwasagreatwaytoassesshis mettle.

‘What’swiththeblindfold?’heasked,hissaturnaliangazedrawnbacktothewoman.

Creedchuckled ‘FuckedifIknow CoolestthingI’veseeninawhile,though’ Colegruntedassherolledherhead,looseningupherneck,herlong,dark-haircascadingaroundherinsilkywaves. Hisgazezeroedinonherplumpmouthasitopened,watchingintentlywhenhertongueswipedacrossit,leavingahintof moisturethatcaughtthelight.

Guitarchordskickedinandhisbreathhitchedasthecymbalscrashedonce,twice,herteethworryingatthegold-hoop thatdecoratedherlowerlip.

Hissteel-likecocktwitchedassheraisedherhands

Her. Little Cupcake.

Thememoryofthebit-of-scruffhiddenbyclothingtwo-sizes-too-bigevaporated Shewasn’tagirlatall:shewasagoddess.

Fromhisvantage-pointColenotedthedark-denimshortshuggingherthick,tonedthighs;thefrayededgingmimickinga lovercaressingherskin.Theywerethetypeoflegsbuiltforpowerandforgrippingaman’shead ashefeastedonher.

ThesleevesofherSlipknott-shirtrolleduptohershoulders.Theblackcottonhuggedherbreastsbutallowedjust enoughfreedomforthemtoswaylikeatemptingtreat,withatantalisinghintofcreamyskinshownatthebaseoftheV-neck Tonedarmsraisedbeforeathird,fourth,andfifthstrike.Cole’sfingersgrippedtherailingtighter.Withaflourish,she spunthedrumsticksinherhandsbeforestrikingthehi-hatandridecymbal,instantlyfillingtheairwithanelectricenergyas herfeetworkedthebassdrumandthetomscameintoplay

Thestrobelightsflickeredonandthespeakersblasted Thecrowdscreamedasthegoddessbecameaferalmassof powerfulmovements.Herhairwhippedaroundherassheletloosethebeastinside,emphasisingtheastonishingmuscle memoryinherarms,legs,feet,andhands.

Damn,hehadanoverwhelmingurgetokneelbeforeherassheraged.Shewasperfection. By the gods.However, Coledidn’tsubmittoanyone.

Theleadvocalistbegan,buthetunedeverythingout.Hisentirefocusnarroweddowntothedark-hairedbeauty wreakinghavoconhisbloodstream.Thedrumsticks,cymbals,andtomsbecameextensionsofherasherheadnodded,dipped, andshook.Herpowerfullegsworkedlikeablazingfirehadbeenlitbeneathher.Colecouldn’thelpbutenvythestool.

Heshivered,shakinghishead,tryingtodislodgethefantasyofimageshe’dconjuredup,butitwasnouse Hebithis cheek,thinkingabouthowherasswouldlookwithherupperbodybentlowassheofferedthecreamyglobesuptohisflogger.

Hisframeswayedinrhythmwiththeemotionsthatflickeredacrossherface anger,peace,andexcitement They changedwithsuchspeedthatColequestionedwhetherwhiplashshouldbeavalidconcernashecontinuedtowatchher, completelyengrossed.

Hewasdesperatetoseehereyesasshebouncedandgroundonthestool,hiscocksopainfullyengorgedastheimages inhisheadmorphedintoherridinghimwiththesameaggressivestrokes

An itch? Fuckittohell.He’dneverbeensoturnedon.

Creedsaidsomething,buthebarelymumbledanon-responseashecontinuedhislecherouspeepingtowardstheraging goddessbelow.

‘Cole?’hisbrotherchuckled.‘MostofthefilesonGavin’sphonearepasswordprotected,soI’llcourierittothe TwinstoseeiftheycantrackwhosentthePaedothosepictures.’

Andifthatwasn’tenoughto unhitch thetentinhisjeans,thenColedidn’tknowwhatwas.

TheGallowayTwins themostinfamousbrotherstobethrownoutofScotland werewortheachpennyofthe heftyfeestheycharged.Anyonewithahintofcomputerskillscouldbeahackerthesedays,butthoseboysremainedtwoofthe best.Tunedintoeverynewpieceofsoftwarebeforeitevenhitthemarket.Observant,patient;theirguessworkwasakinto actualpsychicabilities

ThoughCreedcouldgetalower-rankingtechwizardtohackthephone,theGallowayTwinsweretrustworthywolves anddiscreet.

Herubbedathisneck,stretchingoutthetautmuscles ‘Goodthinking,’hesaid

ItwasthenthathenoticedColtontowardstheendoftherailings.Hislittlebrother’sgazewasdistant,devoidoffocus, andhisusualdemonicsmilewasnowheretobefound

Colegaveupontheattempttorelievehistensionandsworeunderhisbreath.Everyoneassumedthatthemanicgrinnedlunaticwaswhotheyshouldfear,buttheywerewrong WhentheyoungestAndersonbrother lost himself whenthe gleamofhiseyesbecamedull,hisjawslack that’swhenpeopleneededtoscarper.

Allthreemendealtwithbeatingsfromtheirdadgrowingup,butthespermdonorimbeddedsomethinginsidiousinto theoneshedishedouttoColton.Blamedforkillingtheirmotherwhenshegave-birthtohim,andafteryearsofsickeningabuse aspunishment,Colt’smindbecamefractured

Thetraumaandpainofhisfirstshiftatsixteensnappedwhatevertetherwaskeepinghimsane.Hiswolfmauledtheir fathertodeath;thebeastinsidehimwasamonstrousandblood-thirstyhoundthatwouldhavekilledbothColeandCreedif theydidn’thithimwithadartfromatranquillisergun.

Coltonneverallowedthatanimaloutagain,andtwentyyearsofforcingthepredatorinsidetostayboundhadchanged him.Thelight-heartedbrotherheonceknewwasgone;apsychopathstoodinhisplace.

Asighsoundedashispreviouslythrummingbloodturnedtoiceinhisveins.Thelunaticmeantthattheyoungest Andersonwaspresent,butthevacantexpressiononColton’sfaceimpliedhewasn’tinthedriver’sseat,andthatspelled trouble.

CreedfollowedCole’slineofsight,hisshoulderstensingashelookedbetweenhisvacantgazeandthegoddess belowbeforestating,‘Sorry,bro,butcancelyourplans.We’llneedtowatchhimtonight.’

ChapterFour

TheHeadyFeelingThatICravedLikeAJunkie

Avery

ASITOOK

adeepbreath,Icouldsmellahintofboozyperspirationpermeatingtheair.Evenwithalltheperfumesandother bodyodoursclamberingformyattention,therewassomethingdistinctiveaboutthescentofliver-processedalcoholemanating fromtheskin

Thelivelycrowdbelow,leapingandtossingthemselvesaroundwiththeenthusiasmofpinballs,electrifiedthearoma andambiance.Ididn’tdislikeit;itwasmoreofamildindifference.Buttheenergyintheclubwassoglaringthatitwas impossibletoignore.Mywearylimbswerebouncingwithadrenaline,andthefoggycellsinmybrainwerebacktofiringon allcylinders

Actually, this wasn’t so bad.

Icouldn’tcontainmyamusementatmybackpedalling,andasnortslippedout.ThoughIcherishedmycousin,Ihad reservationsaboutagreeingtohelphimoutbysubstitutingforJason.Ithadbeenatiringdayatwork,andallIwantedwasto goforalate-nightrunandthengetsomemuch-neededsleep WhileIoftenplayeddrumswiththebandwhenwehungoutback atthewarehousethatDwightandIcalledhome,I’dneveractuallyperformedinfrontofanaudience.

‘Why can’t you do it?’I groaned; his imploring gaze already weakening my resolute refusal.

He ran his fingers through his shoulder-length dirty-blond hair, pulling it together in a topknot ‘You know we don’t have another lead guitarist available, so I won’t be able to handle the drums tonight. I’ll owe you forever,’he pleaded with an exaggerated pout, his pale-blue eyes wide as his gaze begged me to agree.

‘What, exactly, is that worth?’I asked with a raised eyebrow, my curiosity piqued.

‘What if I cooked for two weeks?’he suggested, stepping closer to me

I frowned, looking up at him, wincing as my neck throbbed with an ache. ‘Two weeks? You just said you would owe me forever’

His eyes rolled, and his lips twitched as he fought to conceal a smile ‘You can play the drums blindfolded ’

Mymentalhealthwasthriving,soIdidn’tthinkIneeded it,butthepromiseofexperiencingtheeuphoriaIcravedwas strongandoverrodetheconcernsofpotentialdrawbacks.IassumethatmeantIwanted it.Despitemyabilitytocopeandfind refugeinfamiliarcomfortsandroutines,Icouldn’trelyontomorrow’sgoodgraces,sotoppingupthefueltankwasasmart move.

Twomonthshadpassedsincemylastepisode,andtheweightofitseemedlikeadistantmemory.TheonlywayIcould navigatethroughlifewasbytakingeachdayasitcame,withoutexpectations.Ijusthadtohopethatwhenanotherflashback struck,itwouldn’thaveanynegativeconsequencesforanybodyelse HowIhadn’tphysicallyscarredDwightwasbeyondme I’dlosttrackofthecountlesstimesI’vecomebackaround,onlytofindmycousinwithscratchesandbloodcoveringhisarms andface Thankthegodshehealedfastanddidn’ttakenoforananswer

DistinguishingbetweenwhatIwantedandwhatIneededprovedtobequitechallenging.Icouldn’ttrulygrasptheir essence DrJemersonsayswantsaredesiresandpreferences,whereasneedsarebasedonsurvivalandwell-being Andthat understandingthishelpstoprioritiseandmakeinformeddecisionsaboutwhatisnecessaryforafulfillinglife.Formost people,Ithinkthatthoughtprocessisinstinctual,sotheydon’tevenrealiseitishappening ButIhavetopause,contemplatemy options,andpraythatI’mmakingthecorrectchoice.

However,todayitdidn’tmatter WhetherIwantedorneededtoseektheexhilaratingrush,theoutcomewasbeneficial Becauseaswemergedinto Slipknot’s “Psychosocial”, mybodywaspracticallypurringwithexcitement.Andtheenergy thrownoutfromthecrowdhadsomehowbecomemypersonalstashofCatnip.

Isnortedagain,realisingthatI’dbeenmissingoutonitallthistime.IsupposeIshouldhaveknown.Atseven,Ilearnt toplaythepiano,andatnine,Dwighttaughtmeguitar,butthedrumsbecamemyaddictionwhenIwassixteen Mycousin,not knowingwhattodoto fix me,shoveddrumsticksinmyhandandtoldmeto“get at it”.

Betweenhim,thesound-proofedatticatAuntyCarol’s,andonlinetutorials,I’ddiscoveredahealthyoutletformy issues.Focusingonthedetailedtechniquehelpedpullmeawayfromthemind-numbinglockdownIsometimesfoundmyselfin.

Therepetitivemovementwaspredictable,soothing,andgrounding IcouldburythepainfulmemorieswhileIfocusedonmy arms,legs,feet,andhands:thefeelofthedrumsticksbetweenmyfingers.

Coping. That’swhatmytherapistsaid.

Ineededtofindwaysofmanagingandworktohandlethepain Tousehealthymethodstoprocessthetraumaticevent, whilelearningtodealwithallthepotentialtriggersassociatedwithit.Andthereliestheissue:Idon’tremembereverything evenafterfourteenyears.

Mymindblockedouttheworstofit.Initially,Ionlyrecalledrunningawayfromsomethingorsomeoneinblindterror. Aftersixmonthsoftherapy,Istartedgettingflashbacks;terrifyingshardsofglasspromptinghiddendetailstoemergefromthe void.Piercingthroughmyarmourandlancingthepsychologicalwounds.Anewtriggerpresentingitselfprecededeachpainful recollection.

Turpentine:thatwasthefirststimulustoactivateamemory.LoadingupjunkintoAuntyCarol’scarforatip-run,Ilost myfootingwhileheadingbackintotheshedandknockedoveraboxthatwasbalancingonaricketybaseunit Glasssmashed onthefloor,myeyestakinginthepaint-stainedremainsofanoldpicklejarasIinhaledthepotentscentoftheWhiteSpirit spiltatmyfeet.

Mylungsfrozeasaterrifyingapparitionofchokingonthefumeshitme.Soundsofscreamsandsnifflingwhimpers piercedmyeardrumsasmyshakingpalmsghostedovertheshadowedrecollectionofcrackedandirritatedskin.

IwishIcouldsaythatcomingroundafterblackingouttofindDwight’sconcernedfacewatchingmeonlyhappened once Orthatwakingfromanightmare,mythroatachingfromscreaming,wasathingofthepast

DrJemersonemphasisedtheimportanceofself-soothingasanotherpowerfultoolinmyarsenalagainstPTSD.To fullyappreciatetheothersenses,Itookitastepfurtheranddeliberatelyignoredoneofthem.Teachingmyselftoplaythedrums blindfoldedwasthebestthingIcouldeverhavedone.Itwasoneofonlyafewthingsthatkeptmetethered,likerunningand thefreedomofmymotorbike.Itwaspowerfulenoughtodragmebackfromthedepthsofperditionwhenmemoriespulledme under

Isometimeswonderedifrememberingeverythingwouldmakelifebetterorworse.Iknewsomeonebadtookmeat fourteen.Heldagainstmywill,I’dlivedthroughthenightmareofbeingkidnappedforsixweeks.Atleast,that’swhatthe policetoldme.Arunnercameacrossmeatdawn;wonderingnakedthroughvastwoodland;coveredinbloodthatwasn’tmy own Otherthanbeingfrozen,exhausted,andmalnourished,Ididn’thaveamarkonme

Thedoctorskeptmeinhospitalfortwodays,gettingmyfluidsbuilt-upandassessingmymentalhealth,before releasingmetothecareofAuntyCarol.

Notmymother:eventhenshedidn’tbothertoshowup.Mydadwasneverinthepicture,andmumcouldn’tcopewith me Idon’tthinkIwasanaughtychild,butparenthoodwasn’tforeveryone So,hersistertookmeinwhenIwassix,andthe threeofuswereinseparable.Moresoaftermyabduction:Dwightdeeminghimselfmyprotector.

Ishookmyhead,clearingouttheunpleasantreminderofmyabsentparents.

Thescentofbeer,sweat,andwhiskeyfilledmylungsasmylimbsworkedinstinctively Theboomingbassshookmy entirebeing,theforceofitresonatingdeepwithinme,asmysmilegrewwider,almosttothepointofdiscomfort.Ibitmylip, myteethscrapingagainstthegold-hoopasithuggedtheplumpflesh

Thiswasit:theheadyfeelingthatIcravedlikeajunkie.Thesweetspotactedasacatalyst,causingmyneuronsto igniteandexcitementtosurge.Theedgeoftheabyssbeckonedme,andIcouldfeelthethrillofflightsurgingthroughmybody. Iranatitfulltilt,feelingaliveandalittleunhingedasmysoulpreparedtosoar TherewasnothingquiteliketheheartpoundingfeelingofadrenalinecoursingthroughmyveinsasIsailedoffthecliff.

NotthatIdidn’tchasetheotherreactionjustasardently.Myfightresponsewasheartyandon-parwithanyredbloodedman.Dwighthadbeensparringwithmeforyears,butonlyrecentlydidheagreetoallowmetotryitblindfolded. Thosefirstfewsessionshadbeeninteresting,butIwasgettingthehangofit,andIcouldn’twaituntilournextspar-date

Justlikenow,Iputmyselfinasortoftrance;onewhereIdidn’tseemtorequiremyeyestosee Everynerveandfibre ofmybeingfeltwhatwasgoingonaroundme.

Thesweettangpumpingoutfromthesmokemachinesmixedinwiththemultiplecolognesandperfumesrisingfrom theheatedbodiesbelowme.Atightnesspinchedmychestastheheavyfogirritatedmylungs,butIignoredit,revellinginthe sweatpouringdownmyback.

Ifeltthedancers’raggedbreathsandthunderingheartbeats:likelover’sfingersplayingagainstmyfleshasthey jumpedandslammedintoeachotheraggressively,shoutingalongtothelyrics,losingthemselvestotheirownhighsasthey chasedaftertheirpreferredstateofmind.Therewasnojudgementhere,justindividualsoulsescapingthehumdrum.

IknewmymethodofprocessingwasskewedbecauseInolongerfeltemotionsthewaymostpeopledid.Myreactions toeventsweren’tnormal,andsometimesIdidn’tunderstandwhatemotionIwasfeelingatall.Butinmomentslikethis,or whenIpushedmybikewaypastaspeedlimit,forcedmylimbstopushthroughthepainofsparringwithDwight,Ifeltthingsin suchawaythatitwasintoxicating.Iunderstoodit;relishedinit.ItwasthatveryissuethatmademeleanonDrJemerson’s tips FollowingherguidedtechniquesthatshouldtriggeranunderstandingofhowIshouldbefeeling Idoubtshemeantthemto workthatway,butthat’showIusedthem.

Ididn’tneedanyofthatnow,though Isoakedupeverythingasthecrowdroared Thetinyhairsonmyskinstoodon endandmytoestingled.Myheartthreatenedtobeatoutofmychestastheadrenalinesearchedforsomewheretogo.Iwanted torunoffthecliffanddiveintothedeepsea Myentirebodyfeltlikeitwasvibrating,threateningtoexplode,butIgaspedas musculararmswrappedaroundme.

IletoutasquealasDwight’sfamiliarscentfilledmynose HeliftedmeoffthestoolandItriedtorelaxintohis embrace,butmylimbsweretrembling,andmyheartwasstilljittering.Asenseofpowersurgedthroughme.LikeIcould simplypickhimup,holdinghimovermyhead,spinninghismassiveframeonthetipofmyfinger.

HechuckledasIsquirmed.‘Howdidthatfeel?’heasked,rockingmelikeachild,despitemyattemptstoescape.

Ilaughed,givingupthefightasIpulledoffmyblindfoldandremovedmywrap-aroundheadphones.‘Thatwas amazing,’Isaid,asthenextbandkickedofftheirsetfromoneofthesmallerstages.

‘You wereamazing,’hecountered,smilingashesettledmeonmyfeet ‘Areyougoingtostayforaround?’Hishopeful expressionfadedasIshookmyhead.HealreadyknewIneededtogohome;myshiftstartedearlytomorrow.‘Itwaswortha try’Hechuckled,rufflingmyhair ‘Doyouneedmetocomewithyou?’

‘I’llbefine.Don’tbetooloudwhenyoucrawlinthough,’Iwarnedashetookmyhandandledthewayoffthestage andalongthegangwayaroundtheedgeofthedancefloor,mysmileofgratitudegivingfreelyasintoxicatedrevellersshouted outtheirappreciationofmydrummingskills.Colourrosetomycheeksatalltheattention,butIrefusedtoallowmy embarrassmenttowipeawaymyhappy-high

Themusiccontinuedtopumpadrenalinethroughmyveinsaswestoppedbesidetherestofthebandatthebaseofa roped-offspiralstaircase Patrick,theoverlyfriendlybassguitarist,steppedtowardsmeandtuckedastrandofhairbehindmy ear,drawinghishandbackquicklyasifmyskinburnthim.‘Heygorgeous.’Heliftedhisfingerstohismouth,blowingairon thetips.‘We mighthavetokeepyouaround,’hechuckled,suckingthepadofhisforefinger.‘Thatsetwaspurefire.’Hewinked andlickedhislipssuggestively,hiseyebrowsdancingabovehispenetratinggaze

Mysmilewasgenuine,buthisplayfulflirting,asusual,sailedrightpastme Idiscoveredthatthemostpainless approachtoadoptwithhimwastogowiththeflowandlethimplaythepartofalovablerogue.Ifeignedalady-likefaint, saying,‘Scoundrel.’

Hegroaned.‘Ihaven’tseenyourlovelyfaceforages.Theneedforafixhasbuiltup.Sogoddamnbad,’hesaid,biting hislowerlipashishandreachedtowardsme

Ibathiswanderingfingersaway,laughing.‘Yousawmelastweek.’

Isuspectedthatmyunattainability onlyaddedtotheattraction WomencameanddisappearedwithhimasquicklyasI wentthroughknuckletape.NotthatIhadaproblemwithone-nightstands.Infact,Ipreferredthem.Sexformewasapurely physicalact Nofeelings,nopromisestocall WhenIhadanitchtoscratch,ImetthatneedwithaskilledandwillingWhambam; thank you, Stan.

Patrickwasattractive Blueeyedandblonde-haired,hestoodtallandwell-built,andexudedaswaggerand confidencereminiscentofaseasonedguitaristlikeMcCartney.Butthehorizontalwizardryheofferedjustdidn’tgetmymotor running,andIhadnodesiretobeanothernotchonhisbedpost

Hehummed,liftingmyfreehand.‘Toolong.’Heplacedakissonmyknuckles,hisfingersfondlingthesilkstillheldin mygrip ‘Seeyoulater,Avery’Hewinkedandranhishandsthroughhisshoulder-lengthhairasheheadedforthebar

Dwightshookhishead,smilingindulgentlyasIwavedgoodbyetotherestoftheband.‘IfIdidn’talreadyknowthathe wasn’tyourtype,’hemurmured,hisvoicetrailingoffintosilence Irolledmyeyesasheescortedmethroughtherevellers hangingbackfromthedancefloor.Heopenedtheheavyfire-doorthatledtothestaffrooms,‘Sayaufwiedersehen.’His terribleGermanaccentcaughtmeoff-guard

IlaughedoutloudasIturnedaround.Heliftedhisrighthand,raisinghisthumbabovehisfistashisfingerpointed straightatme Insteadofmakingtheusualfiringsound,hejustwinked

‘YouwatchedIngloriousBasterdsagain?’Igrabbedholdofthedoorhandleandhechuckled.I’dlostcountofhow manytimesheforcedmetositthroughwatchingit Itwashisfavouritefilm

Dwightlovinglykissedmyforeheadandgentlysqueezedmyhand,smirkingashepulledthestripofsilkoutfrommy graspbeforeshovingitinhisbackpocket.‘Straighthome,Killer.’

Iclickedmytongueagainsthisretreatingform;Ididn’twanttoknowwhathehadplannedformypoorblindfold.‘Yes, Klepto’

HismuffledchucklehitmeasIturned,butmyarmseruptedingoosebumps,causingmetopauseinmytracks.An alluringscentdancedthroughtheair,ticklingmynoseandcapturingmyfocus.Icouldn’thelpbutstandupstraighterbecauseof it.

Iwheeledbackaround,mygazescanningthedancefloor,flittingfromoneblurredbodytoanother;acuriousfeeling thatIwasbeingwatchedwashingoverme.Anoddtugging,flutteringatthebaseofmyspinebeforepullingrightthroughmy centre,demandedmyattention.

Imutteredtomyself,scoldingmymentalpeculiarityasIattemptedtoignorethepersistentsensation.Butitlingered,an unsettlingsenseoftrepidationfillingtheair

Avery

RIGHTINGMYCAP

,Iloopedmyhoodythroughthehandlesofmybackpack,settlingthembothagainstmybackasIstepped outfromEncore intothecooleveningair.Despiteitnotbeingcold,IwasgladIchangedintomyjeans.

Nighthadsettledintothatstrangelullwherethebuzzofactivityhadfaded,leavingbehindaneeriestillness.The expectationofdrunkpartygoersfloodingthepitch-blackroadatkickingouttimelingered.Thenightclubwasn’tonthemain thoroughfare,sotherewerenostreetlamps.Therewasalsonomoontoguidemyway,andtheneonglowfromthesignabove theentrancewastooweaktoprovideanymeaningfulillumination.

Itdidn’tbothermeintheslightest,andthesoundofmyhummingfilledtheairasIwalkedtowardsmyvehicle, contemplatingamidnightjog.Iwasstillridingthehigh,soIneededsomethingtohelpsettlethequiverinmylimbs,andI doubtedashowerwouldcutit

Turningthecorner,Ifoundmyselfinapoorlylitalleywaythatprovidedashortcuttomydestination.Thecarpark aheadhadsomelights,whichmadethetunnellesscreepy

ButIdidn’tgetmorethanthreestepsintothealleybeforeasoftwhispertickledmyear,alertingmetosomeone’s presence.Iwhirledaround,fistsreadytofly,butmymovementsfroze,agaspgettinglodgedinsidemeasalargehandflewfor mythroat.

Deathloomedbeforeme;darknessincarnate.Hisoverlysharpnailsdugintothetenderfleshofmyneck,butthat becameovershadowedbythepiercingintensityofhiseyes.Thewhitesseemedfullyengulfedinblackashisunfocusedgaze driftedfrommyhairtomylips,dippingdowntothepulseatmyjugularbeforegettinglostinthesurroundingair

Mybodywasimmobile,yetmylungscalmycontinuedworking.Iexpectedthepanicthatshouldhavegrippedme… however,allIfeltwasasenseofpeace,andalittlepinchofconfusion.

Istudiedhim,hisravenhairhanginginloosewavesthatdancedacrosshiswideshoulders Hewastallandcasta shadowoverme,emphasisinghisimposingpresence.Musclesstrainedagainsthisgreyshirt,showcasingtheirpower,buthe hadaleannesstohisframe.Itwasasifthegodshadbuilthimforspeed.ThisIcouldbelieve;heappearedsofastandhad caughtmeinhisclutchesbeforeIhadtimetoblink.AndIknew,inarationalsense,thatIshouldfeelfear.Withtheunstable manthreateningmythroat,terrorshouldhaverisentothesurfacebynow.

Iexhaledslowly,tryingtoprocessthesituation Offthetopofmyhead,Icouldthinkofthreeeffectivemovesto escapehishold,sowhywasn’tIutilisingthem?Iinhaled,apleasanttangofsalted-smokeandcharred-cherriesfillingmy lungs Maybemytrainingplayedarole Thecarehomehadmanypatientswithdementiawhocouldbeviolentandgrabby,soI underwentsafetycourseswhenIstartedfouryearsago.

Thatjustdidn’tfeelright,though Therewassomethingelsegoingon Perhapsmybodycouldn’tproduceanymore adrenaline?Isomehowtappedoutmysupply,andwithit,myinstinctshavefloundered.Withaninternalnodofmyhead,Iwent alongwithDrJemerson’sthree-stepplanforsituationsthatinducedfear,anyway Surelythatwouldwakeupmysurvival instincts?

Ievaluatedmysurroundings Iwasjustacouplehundredfeetawayfromtheclub,withonlyaboutfiftyfeetleftto reachmycar.Itwaslateatnightandnooneelsewasaround.

Nope, still nothing

Whatdomyinstinctssay?Thatthedark-hairedmanwithobsidianeyesandahandgrippingmywindpipemeantmeno harm.

Yep, I’m officially broken.

Ineededtomakeanappointmentwiththegooddoctor.

Deathwhispered,hisvoicebarelyperceptibleashisgazereturnedtomyface,occasionallydriftingtomyhair Applycommonsense.Ishouldbescreamingforhelp;usingthemovesDwighttaughtmetogetfree.

Seriously? Nothing?

WasmywarpedwayofprocessingemotionssomessedupthatwhenTheReapercamecalling,Ismiledandinvited himin?Becauseeverythingaboutthismanscreamed, run!

ItwasentirelypossiblethatIhadagrowthonmybrainthatneededlookingat.Icouldn’tevenputitdowntomylove ofdanger WhileyouraverageFredbentoverbackwardstoavoidit,IfoundIrevelledinit Sometimesrunningrightatit,a hungrybeastwithin;acravinginsidethatbuiltuntilitforcedmetofeedit.

ButItrulydidn’tsenseanythreat.Myinstinctssaidthismanthatwasshroudedindarknesswouldn’thurtme.Hismind waselsewhereatthemoment,andIjustneededtoremaincalm.ThoughI’dhavetoquestionhowIknewIwasn’tinanydanger later,fornowIleftmyhandslooseatmyhips.

Itookinthewildnessofhisfeatures,thearcheddarkeyebrows;theleftcutthroughwithajaggedscar.Therewas somethingaboutthestrangerthatkeptthepanicatbay,aninexplicableconnectionthatmademefeelatease:anoddsenseof kinship.

‘Pretty,’hesaid

Hiswarmbreathtickledmyeyelashesashisgriptightened.Asoftfingerreacheduptomywarmcheek.Iexpecteda sharpstingliketheoneonmythroat,buthisbluntnailmoveddowntomyjawbeforehisfingersdriftedtheirwayuptomy cap.

Heremovedit,thesoundofithittingthealleywayfloorapiercinghowltothequietudethathadsettledaroundme

‘Silk.’Hetoyedwiththedarklengthofmyhair;hisgriponmyneckloosenedasheliftedhisloottohisnoseand inhaled ‘Honey’

Anothervoiceboomed,‘Colt.’

Myheartraced,poundingagainstmychestasiftryingtobreakfree.Thedeepresonanceofthetenorreverberated throughmybeing,sendingshiversdownmyarmsandcausingatinglingsensationtospreadthroughoutmyentirebody.Itwas asifeverynerveendinghadcomealive,chargedwiththeintensityofthatvoice.

Iclosedmyeyes,allowingmyselftosurrendertotheonslaughtofbewilderingemotionsthatsurgedwithinme.The gravellyaftertastelingered,creatingabittersweetsensationthatwasexhilarating Itbombardedmysenses,leavingmeina stateofbothfascinationandconfusion,unabletofullygrasptheemotionscoursingthroughme.

Butmyminddidn’tcare.Itreplayedthesound,overandover,weavingaspellthattingledupmyspineasifagentle breezewerecaressingit.Mylegs,steadyandstrongwhenthreatenedwithMrDeath,whostillheldmeinhisgrip,nowfelt liketheyhadturnedintojelly Thesheerstrengthofthatvoicehadsweptmeoffmyfeet,leavingmefloatinginaseaof pleasureandvulnerability.

Suddenly,thesightsandsoundsofearlierthiseveningcamerushingbacktome,asifIwererelivingthemomentall overagain.I’dheardthatdeeptenorbefore.

ChapterSix

TheirLittleBrother’sPsychoticDispositionDid NotEndearHimToNormalFolk

Cole

COLEOVERLOOKEDTHEirrationalbootofjealousythatkickedhiminthegutsasDwightliftedthedrummeroffthe stool;hersquealoflaughterwasthesweetestsoundasitreachedhisears.Theluckyfuckerpulledthebeautifulwomanintoa hug,rockingherasshepeeledofftheblindfold.

Healsoignoredtheconversationsthatpickeduparoundhimashetrackedthedark-hairedbeauty.LedbyDwight,and withhercheeksflushed,theyheadedthroughtheclub.Desiretoseethatbloomclose-uprodehim,andhesquinted,desperate toglimpsehereyes Butshewastoofaraway,andforthefirsttimehefeltincensedatthesoftandsensuallighting itdid nothingtoaidhim.

Afewsecondspassedasheconsideredjumpingtherailing.Maybehe’dhavebetterluckcatchinghergazefromthe groundfloor.Heponderedthequestionofwhatcolourhereyesmightbe.Herlightskinanddarkhairspokeofblueirises,pale likefrostonacoldwinter’smorning Hementallyscoffedandrubbedhischin,eyesdartinginconcernthatsomeonemightread thethoughtsflittingthroughhisbrain.

Whatwasitaboutthatwomanthattuggedathimsofiercely?Itwasn’tmerelyherattractivenessthatcaptivatedhim. He’dmetcountlessbeautifulwomeninhislife;theradiancethatseepedfromwithinthemonlyhighlightingtheirphysical allure ButsomethingabouttheDrummerspoketoCole;calledtohiswolf Evennow,outofsight,hefeltaninvisiblerope tuggingathisgut;demandinghefindher.Thewolfwouldsettlefornothinglessthanreciprocalattention.

‘Fuck,whereisColton?’Creedmutteredunderhisbreath;hisvoicefilledwithtension

Sodding hell

Somuchformonitoringhim.Inhiscurrentunhingedstate,theyoungerAndersonwasunpredictable.Ahintofmania touchedbothCreedandCole,buttheirlittlebrother’spsychoticdispositiondidnotendearhimtonormalfolk Theboydidn’t playwellwithothers.Colescannedthelowerlevel,dreadfillinghimasheturned,hopingtofindhislittlebrotherskulkingin acornerupstairs,orsatinawingback,allthewhileknowingthatitwasdoubtful.

Creedpointedtotheclubentrance.‘There.Whatarethechancesthathe’scallingitanightandisnowonhiswayupto theapartment?’heasked,hisgazeholdingCole’s.

Hedidn’tanswer,thoughhisfeaturesspokeofhowunlikelythatscenariowas.‘Comeon.’Hislegstooklongstrides asheheadedforthespiralstaircase ‘Let’strackthefuckerdownbeforehecausesascene’Hegrunted,‘Again’

ThebrothersmadetheirwayoutsideandColebreathedinthroughhisnose,discountingallthenormalscentsthat lingeredinthelate-nightairashehuntedforhisyoungestbrother’sparticularnotesofsmokeandsearedcherries.Heattempted toopenthepacklink,butthelittleshithadhisheadlockedup,likeitwasPentonvillePrison.

Cole’sgazedartedtothesmallalleywayatthefarendoftheirproperty’sboundary Thedarkpathwayveeredofftothe left,acut-throughleadingtoacarparkhiddenontheothersideofthetallgranitewallthatenclosedthewesternside.Even thoughtheyweresilenttotheworld,hecouldstilldiscernthecrispsoundofCreed’sfootfallsbehindhimastheydashed towardsthepath.

Roundingtheopeningofthealley,hetensedup,andashiverrandownhisspineastheystumbledupontheunsettling scene.

What kind of fresh hell was this?

Cole’sbreathhitched,andafirescorchedhislungsastherestofhisbodyfroze.Coltonhadthegoddesscaught,with hisright-handdrifting,almostreverently,throughthelong-dark-strandsofherhair,butthatwasn’twhatunsettledhim No,that littledisturbingnuggetwasthepartiallyshiftedhandwrappedaroundherthroat;hisextended,sharpclawsonthecuspof drawingblood

Coltondidn’tlethiswolfout.Ever.Butwhatwasmorealarmingwasthefactthatshifterscouldnotpartshift.Itwas allornothing Hislittlebrothershouldnotbeabletoisolatehisnailsandturnthemintothethree-inchclawsthatwereonthe limitofcrossingaline.Thebrothersdidn’thurtinnocents.Theyhuntedthemonstersthatdid.Ifhecameroundtofindhe’dhurt

thedrummer,Colewasn’tsurehowhisbrotherwouldhandleit

Hefeltanoverwhelmingurgetorushtothewoman’srescue,asifitwasinstinctive Toprotecther Thatwasnormal Layingdownhislifesothatshemightsurvive notsomuch.Hetensed,aninternalbattlebeginning.Hiswolf’sferaldesire waspalpableasitenvisionedtearingoffColton’sarmandwieldingitasaweapontoendhisbrother’slife

ThatthoughtterrifiedCole.Hewantedtode-escalatethesituation,notharmhisbrother.However,hiswolfplannedto gostraightforthekill.Noquestionsasked.Hedemandedthecompleteeradicationofanythreattothefemale.Likeanalpha protectinghiskin,hisinstinctswerespot-on,buthiswolfurgedhimtoshieldtheonepersoninthealleywhowasn’tpartofhis pack.

CreedclutchedCole’sforearm,hisfingersdiggingintotheflesh.‘Shit.’Thewordescapedhisbrother’slipswitha harshbreath.

Yes. What in the actual…

Heinhaleddeeply Thenagain,willinghiswolftotrusthim HeknewthattheoneandonlytimeColtonhadshifted,the crazedbeastleftabloodymassacreinhiswake,buthehadtobringhimaroundwithoutirreversiblyharminghim.

‘Colt’Hetriedtosoundreassuring,buthiswolf’sdeepdesiretosavethetastymorselpushedathimhard,soitcame outasagrowl.

Hegrimaced,hisinternalbattleastruggle ThepredatorinsidecouldsensetheyhadlosttheyoungestAnderson brothertohismind,andtheusualwaysofbringinghimbackwouldnotwork.Heshookhishead.That’snottrue:itwould effectivelybringhimaround,butColtonmightenduptearingouttheDrummer’sthroat Onlythroughviolencecouldhefindthe strengthtoclawhiswaybackfromthedepths.

Cole’swolfsimplywouldn’tallowit Forwhateverreason,hehaddevelopedanattachmenttothesiren Iftheydidn’t figureitoutsoon,hisholdonhis own beastwouldsnap.

‘Whathaveyougotthere,brother?’Creedasked,histonesuggestinghewasunconcerned,butthetighteninggripon Cole’sforearmtoldhimotherwise.HewasterrifiedthatColtonwouldharmthewoman.‘MayIsee?’

‘Pretty,’Coltonsaid,eithernothearingCreedorignoringhim Itwasmostlikelytheformer

Colestudiedthegirlashisbrothercontinuedtopetherhair,hisnosedippingdowntoherneckandscentinghernow andthen.Herhandshunglooselyatherside,hershoulderslowandrelaxedasshekeptherselfstill.

Smart woman

Yethehadastrangedesiretocomfortandcoddleher. He. Nothiswolf.Whatthefuckwasthatallabout?Hisgaze drifteduptoherface;herskinseemedghost-white,herplump,striking-redlipsstandingoutagainstit,buthereyespulledhim inonthatinvisiblerope.Hewasright.Ablue,sopale,theyalmostlookedlilac;herfocusmovingsteadilyfromCreedtoCole, beforesofteningonColtonashecontinuedhissinglewordwhisperstoher.

Thenhergazesnappedstraightbacktohis,andhefeltcompletelycaptivated.

Frozenintime,theycouldhavebeenanywhere.Hermouthopenedafraction,agentlepinkhuedrivingbacksomeof thepalenessinhercheeks.Hewantedtorunhistongueagainstthem,feeltheheatbeneath.Heneededtoburyhisnoseinher hair,fillhislungswithherscentsohe’dalwaysbeabletotrackher ThegoddessheldCole’sattentionsocompletelythathe didn’trealisewhenthehandthatheldhimletgo.Heswayedslightlyonthespotuntiltheintensearomaofpenniesdrewhim outofhisdazeanddowntowardstheblade,hisshoulderstensingasitslicedthroughCreed’spalm

Hisbrothergroaned.‘Fucker.’HeflippedclosedtheSwissArmyKnifebeforeslippingitbackintohispocket.

Withasmallsigh,Cole’stensionsubsidedafraction Thecleverbastard ThescentofCreed’sbloodmightbeenough towakeupColton’sprotectiveinstincts.Itpissedhimoff,becausehehadn’tthoughtofitfirst.

CreedbellowedColton’sname,thesoundmournful.

Colewatchedasthedrummer’seyestightenedandhisyoungerbrother’swholebodybecamerigid.Hisheadslowly turned,hisfrenziedgazetouchingbrieflyonCreedbeforereturningtothewomanstillheldinhisgrip.

Hechuckled ‘Hello,LittleDrummer’Hedidn’treleaseherthroat,butasked,‘Whydidyouhideyourlovely fragrance?’

MoreofCole’stensionseepedout,hearinghislittlebrotherbacktofullsentences Hiswolf’shackleswerenolonger raisedeither,buthewaspacing.

‘Lettheladygo,’Creedsaid,asasubtlescentoftheDrummer’sfearhitthenightair She’dclearlynotedthechangein Coltonanddecidedthiswasaworseversion.Andwhilehemaydosomethingstupid,hewouldn’tdoanyphysicaldamage,

andbothCreedandColehadabetterchanceofgettinghimtoreleaseher.

Thoughhecouldalsosmellatouchofexcitementmixedinwithherfear DidtheDrummerenjoyaspotofdanger?

ColtondisregardedCreed’splea,continuingwithhisownfuckedupagenda.‘Yousmelledliketemptationbefore.A mesmerisingsiren’ssongluringsailorstotheirdoom’Hischuckleresonatedwithahintofmalice,asifhederivedpleasure fromknowingsomethingothersdidn’t.Hesniffed,hisnosecrinklingindistaste,andmuttered,‘Notcomposedforme,but…’ HisgazedartedtoCreed.‘Come,scenther,’hedemanded,histhumbtracingherplumplip.

‘WillyoureleaseherifIdo?’Creedasked,steppingcloser,buthefalteredwhenColegrowled.

Itwasunbidden,butthethreatbehinditrungclear.Hiswolfdidn’twanthisbrothergettinganyclosertothefemale. ThemiddleAndersonlookedbackatCole,hiseyebrowsraisedhigh,asmirkthreateninghislips.

Coltonsnickered,thesounddarkandfullofwarning.‘Come.’HegesturedtoCreed,ignoringCole’sunnecessary displayofdominance

Hedidn’tknowwhatwaswrongwithhiswolf,butitwastimetobattendownthehatches.Collaringthetwat,he shovedhimasideintheirsharedpsyche.Itwasn’trespectfulandwassomethinghedislikeddoing.Italsotooktremendous efforttokeeptheholdinplace,butColedidn’thaveachoice.Hedidn’tknowwhattheboywasdoing,buthewatchedonin raptfascinationasCreeddidasrequest.TheDrummer’seyeswerewideashesteppedintoherbody.Hebent,liftingherhand uptohisfacetosniffher

Withagleefullookinhisgaze,andnoddingtowardshissharpclawsthatwerestillgrippingherneck,Coltonsaid, ‘Here.’

Creedgrowledlowinvexationbutfollowedthroughwiththedemand Colton’snosetwitchedasthedark-haired beauty’sscentchangedagain.Theairwasnolongertaintedwiththerancidstenchoffear;instead,itcarriedagentle,sweet perfumeofsummerrain.

Adreamylookfilledtheyoungestbrother’sgaze.‘That’sbetter.’Histhumbcontinuedtoswipeacrossherlowerlipin encouragement.‘Enough.’Hisfingersleftthedrummer’schintoshoveCreedbackinannoyance.‘Cole,come.’

CreedshruggedasColelookedhisway,hiseyebrowshighonhisforehead.Thefuckerwaslettingthingsplayout,too. HeignoredhisownannoyanceatColtonorderinghimabout Concernedthathishandwasstillpart-shiftedandaroundthe woman’sneck,hetookCreed’splace.

‘Kissher,Cole,’Coltonwhisper-shouted,hismanicgazenotleavingherashethumbedherlipagain

Hedidn’thearhimright.Surely.‘Areyoufuckingjoking?’heasked,hisgazeflittingbetweenhisbrotherandthe womanwhoseregardhadn’tlefthim ‘Doyounotthinkthishasgonefarenough?’ Coltongrowled;hisheadswivelledaroundashisunhingedstareboreintoCole,hispupilsblown.‘Kiss.The.Little. Drummer’

Hiscrazysiblingloweredthehandthathadbeencradlingherface.Cole’sshouldersslumpedasheresignedhimselfto thesituation,hiseyesfixatedonthewoman.

Loweringhiseagerfingers,hedelicatelyheldherchin,andheexhaledwithasighthatseemedtocomefromthedepths ofhissoul Hisholdonhiswolfloosenedasanodddesirerolledthroughhim Asuddenneedtopissonthegroundandrollin ithadhimquestioninghismentalhealth.Hewantedtorubagainstherlegs,coveringherinhisscent.Hegrunted,hergaze washingawaytheconcernasheliftedapieceofherdark,silkyhair,rubbingitbetweenhisthumbandforefinger Thelatenightairhadgiventhepreviouslystraightlengthabeautifulwave.Helikedit.

Whowashekidding?Hisdesiretokissherconsumedhisthoughts Ifonlythecircumstancesweredifferent Sod it

‘Iapologise.’Hisbreathcarriedtheliefromhismoutheasilyashereleasedthecurlinhisclutches.

Sheblinked,aquietgaspliftingherchest Coleclosedthegapbetweenthem,hislipstouchinghersinasoftcaress TheDrummerstood,unwavering,andherscentofsummerrainfilledhislungsashepreparedtopullback.

Shockmuddledhisbrainashermouthsoftenedagainsthis,agentleexplorationthatdidsomethingstrangetohisheart Heignoredtheneedtorubathisribsasoddpalpitationsflutteredtheperpetuallyfrozenorgan,butthedesireformoreofthe goddessgrewinhisgut,likeafirespreadingthroughaneglectedwilderness

Asqueakescapedherashedemandedentry.Heranhistongueacrosstheseamofhermouth,andassheopenedfor him,itdelvedinsidetoexploreherdepths,elicitingadeepgroanfromhim Thesweetscentthatcamefromhertransformed intoaheavenlymixofhoney-drenchedfigsandpears,instantlyenchantinghim.

ChapterSeven

THEIMPERTINENTWEIRDO

Avery

.Thedouchewhomanhandledmeintheclub’sfoyerwascalledCole.Hismoodhadn’t improved.Heglaredatmewithpiercingeyes,thenshiftedhisgazetothehandtightlywrappedaroundmythroat.Heremained aslargeandimposingnowashewaswhenIenteredEncoreafewhoursago,excepthisauranowcarriedafaintbut unmistakablesenseofthreat.

Itdidnothingtodampenmyattractiontohim.

Avery, your psyche is truly disturbed

AsIstrainedmyeyesinthedarkness,thefaintthumpingbassofmusicreachedmyears.Thesmellofstalecigarettes andcheapcolognewaftedthroughtheair,minglingwiththedampscent Itwasimpossibletoseetheclubfromthealley,butI couldcatchglimpsesofredneonlightthroughthebrambles.

IguessthatColeandtheonenamedCreedhadfollowedthehunkofcrazyholdingmehostage

Wasthissomethingthathappenedregularly?MrDeathtargetedunsuspectingwomen,ambushingthemintheeerie darknessofalleys?Thenhe’dmakeothermensniffhispreywhenhe’dcaughther?Andhowwoulditfeelhavingtheweirdo sniffmeasCreedjustdid?

Despitemyanticipation,thepanicstillhadn’tarrived Thesetoweringfiguresshouldhavemeshakingwithfear, especiallyconsideringmycurrentpredicament.Butthey’veputmeinastateofpeacefulcalm,evenwithDeath’sunwavering attentionstilllockedonme

‘Kissher,Cole,’hesaid.Itwasawhisperofwords,yetevenIfeltthepowerbehindhiscommandashisthumbcame backtoprodatmylip

Anechoofmyearlierdesire,broughtaboutfromtheimpertinentweirdo’spraise,hummedthroughmyblood.Yes,kiss me,Cole

Thesoftorangeglowcastbythelampsfromthecarparktomyrightlitthesideofhishandsomeface.Hisstriking,dark featuresandthealluringshapeofhismouthcaptivatedme Heknewittoo,aconfidentsmirktoyingwithhislips,silently acknowledginghisabilitytoexciteme.

Cole

Hisnamewasfitting.Itmatchedthecolourofhishair:pitch-black,loose-curlstousledovertotheleft perfectly untamed.Ihadanoverwhelmingdesiretocirclehim,asifhe’dcaughtmeinhisgravitationalpull.Itfeltpeculiarand unsettling.

Theforceofhispresenceinthenarrowwalkwayvibratedtheatmospherewithsomethingtangiblethattastedlike power;itmademewanttokneelbeforehimandconfessmysins.Histoweringheightofsix-foot-threewasnottheonly captivatingaspectofhim.Therewasanundeniablestrengthexudingfromhisframethatmademeinstinctivelywanttoturn aroundandpresentmyselftohim.

Pardon me? What did they put in that smoke machine? Why would I do that?

Iquestionedmymentalstability,feelingasenseofdetachmentfromreality Therewasstillnopanic,butnowawild, almostanimalisticurgeconsumedme.Ashakybreathleftmylips,andinthatmoment,allmydoubtsandworriesaboutmy sanityvanishedasourgazesconnected.

Theworldaroundmeappeareddistorted,andIcouldheartheechoofmyheartbeat,thesoundamplifiedtoan uncomfortablelevel Thescentofmysurroundingsbecameoverwhelming,eachsmellblendingtogetherinadisorientingmix Mybody,consumedbyastrangeenergy,pulsatedwithaprimalurge.Itfeltasthougheverynervewasonfire,urgingmeto succumbtomyanimalisticdesires.

Hisvoice,deepandresonant,shatteredmydazedstate.‘Areyoufuckingjoking?Doyounotthinkthishasgonefar enough?’

Death’svacantgazebecameunhingedashegrowled,thevibrationstravellingthroughmythroatashisheadtwistedto

facetheman.‘Kiss.The.Little.Drummer.’Histappingonmylipceased.

Cole’sshoulderssaggedashesteppedincloser,holdinghimselfinaself-assuredsortofway,withmychingently supportedinhisgrip.Heliftedastraypieceofmyhair,andtheactionfeltintimate.Ifeltwarmandcagedandgrounded.

ThenallIcouldsmellwashim,hisintoxicatingscentmakingmyheartgallop Theunrulyorganpoundedagainstmy chest,thesoundofmybloodadrumbeatinmyears,ashisgazesearchedmine.

Thestrangesensationofplummetingfromagreatheightwashedoverme,mymusclestwitchingashisdarkandintent staregraspedmyvitals.Grey-sapphires,fleckedwithgreenandringedwithgold,wereanetthatbrokemyfall.Beingnearhim providedmewithanunwarrantedsenseofsafetyandcomfort

‘Iapologise,’hesaid,hismelodiccadenceasoothinglullaby.

Inatrance,Ilookeduptothelightmistingofraven-stubblethatadornedhisfirmjaw;sandalwood,whiskyandahint offernengulfedmemomentsbeforehislipsgrazedmineinthesoftestoftouches.

Despitetheunhingedmanattheendofthehandthatremainedaroundmyneck,butterfliesswarmedbeforefluttering insideme.Amouse-likenoisemighthaveescapedmymouth,butthedragon’swing’sthatunfurledwithinmycorewipedout theembarrassmentasIrespondedtohiskiss

Myskintingledasmyfingersachedtograbholdofhim;topullhimcloser.Ididn’tknowtheman,butIcouldn’tbring myselftocare Somethingshiftedbehindmybreastbone,clawingasitdemandedfreedom Thatpartkneweverythingitneeded to.Withhissoftlipsonmine,therewasnowhereelseIwantedtobe.

Theclawsdugdeeper.Asubtlerumblebuiltinmychest.Myhoodywastootight,myskintoohot,myunderweartoo ohfudginghell damp.

Boundbyrapture,Ihadavaguesensationofthehandaroundmyneckdropping.Ashoutsoundedoutastheonethey calledColtfelltohisknees.Ifeltafuzzysenseofpaininmyleg,butmylust-riddledbrainhadtakenahiatus.Themadman buriedhisnoseintheapexofmythighs,alowgrowleruptingfromhischestasheinhaled,butmyentirebeingfocusedonthe godworshippingmytongue.

Everythingthereafterhappenedtoofast Mymouth unexpectedlydesolate tingledinmemoryofCole’slipsas coolairdrapedovermybody.Thesoundofascuffleensued.Cursesandgroansfilledthenightsky.Thestarofmynextlonelyevening-fantasyshouted,‘Creed’Hehuffed,anominouscracksoundingout ‘Takeherawayfromhere,now’

Warmhandsgrippedmywaistasmyentireworldupended.Mydinnerthreatenedtohitch-hikearidetothepavement, andtheairescapedmylungsinahuffasmystomachcollidedwithalargeshoulder

Isquealed,jostledonthemountainousmanashetookoffbackdownthewayIjustcame,turningthecornerand headingawayfromtheclub.‘Wait,’Igrunted.‘Stop.’Heignoredme,continuingourescape.Iliftedmyhead.Throughthe curtainsofhairtryingtothwartmysight,mygazefoundtheotherentrancetothecarparkdisappearinginthedistance.

Fudging Friggin Frugger.

Mychestvibrated ‘Stop,’Isaid,andhefroze ‘Enough’MyvoicewasmuchdeeperthanI’deverheardit ‘Put Me Down.’Hiswarmand,surprisingly,gentlehandsmoveddowntomyhipsbeforehesetmedownonmyfeet.Iblinkedawaythe angerthatthreatenedtoconsumeme.‘Mycarisbackthatway.’Ipointedinthegeneraldirectionbeforesmoothingoutmy clothes.‘Idon’trequireadonkey-ridehome.’Ahuffescapedwithmysenseoffeelingout-of-sortsasItuckedmynowmessy curlsbehindmyears.Myfingerscaughtinknots,myexasperationreachingcriticallevel.

Greyeyesfilledwithamusementstudiedme.Hiseyebrowarched.Liketheothertwomen,hishairwaspitch-black, butthisoneworehismuchshorter,thesidesclippedclosetohisscalp.

‘Donkey,eh?You’reafirecracker.Andthecommanding-whipthreadedinyourvoiceis…unexpected.’Hechuckled,a quizzicalgazeexaminingmebeforeheshookhisheadasiftoclearit.Heheldouthishand.‘CreedAnderson,’hesaid,asmile onhislipswhenmyfingerscreptclosertohisautomatically,theingrainedpleasantrypissingmeoff Hisremarkaboutmy voiceleftmeperplexed,butIstillgraspedhispalmfirmly.‘You’rethestandinforJason.’

Histonesuggesteditwasn’taquestion.Howdidheknowthat?

Igaveaslightnod,myforeheadfurrowinginafrown ‘AveryWhitehall’Ikeptmyvoiceeven,butmybreathcaughtas hisnameregistered.

The Andersonbrothers?Thosedangerous don’tcrossthemifyouknowwhat’sgoodforyou hideyourdaughters, AndersonBrothers?Thegossiphadreachedmyears,carriedonthewindsofwhisperedconversation.You’dhirethemifyou requiredexterminators,thetypewhodealtwithpestsofthehumanvariety.Iwasscepticalaboutthetruthofitall,butDwight, inhisoverprotectivenature,didn’tobjecttomeworkingforthemforthenextfewweeks,implyingthatthoserumourswere

likelyunfounded.

Mytongueheldtheweightofthequestion,poisedandreadytobereleased However,Ihesitated,weighingupthe appropriatenessofseekingconfirmationforthosetales.

‘YouownEncore?’Iaskedinstead Yes, a much safer line of enquiry ‘That’sright.’Hiseyessparkledashissmilegrew.

Asingleeyebrowshotupinconfusion.‘Andwhatabouttheothermen?’Iignoredhowthequestioncaughtinmythroat as,mid-sentence,theknowledgefellintoplace ‘They’reyourbrothers?’

Themen,themyths,therun-for-the-hillslegends?Isnorted,unabletosuppressthesound.AndtothinkIwokethis morningwithasub-paroutlookforthedayahead.Thoseexpectationshavebeenwellandtrulyshattered.Ikissedagodand hadmycrotchsniffedbyDeath Littleblipsofanxietyateawayatmyunconcernedattitude Bloodyhell,shouldIfeelalarmed?

Creednodded;thankfullynotsensingmyunease

‘IapologiseonColton’sbehalf,’hesaid,bringinghishandstogetherinapacifyinggesture.‘Trynottothinktoo unkindlyofhim,though.He’shadatoughlifeand…’thegreyofhiseyesseemedtodarkenashiseasy-goingsmileslipped,but hequicklyrecoveredit.‘Andhetrulymeantyounoharm.Thatbacktherewashisversionofahandshake,anofferof friendship.Helikesyou.’

‘Ifyousayso,’Isaid,feelingalittleindifferentasawaveofexhaustionhitme.Iwrungoutmyhands.ThehighIwas ridingafterplayingthedrumshadallbutvanished,leavingfatiguetoweighonmyshoulders.Theimageofmyparkedcar flashedinmymindasIgesturedbackinitsgeneraldirection,consumedbythethoughtofreturninghome.‘Ishould ’

‘Youweren’tscared,’Creedinterrupted,causingmetolowermyhand ‘Mostwouldhavepissedtheirpants’

IsthatwhatColtonwassniffingfor?Didhegetoffonmakingpeoplepissthemselves?‘Oh,um…’Myvoicetrailed off;Icouldn’taskthosequestionsandnoother appropriate responsecameforth

Yes,Ishouldhavefeltscared.Itriedputtingitdowntotraining,butthatstilldidn’tfeelright.Ijustwasn’tatall worried ThoughCreedwaswrong,becausesomethingchangedinColton’sdemeanour,andthatlostgazebecamemanicasit convergedintentlyonme.That’swhenIpanicked.Theimpendingthreatsetmybloodonfire;myheartthundered,desperateto escapemychest,myfightinstinctwhollyonboardwiththesuddenchange,butCreedsteppedcloser,andmyalarmanddesire forbattleceased.

Itwasbizarre I’dnevermetthembefore,yetasthescentofburntpineandLiquoriceComfitsfilledmylungs,Ifelt safe.Forthethirdtimetoday,astrangermademefeelprotected.

What a peculiar day indeed

Ibreathedinacleansingbreath,hopingforanotherhitofaniseed,butcopperwrinkledmynoseinstead.Mygazemet Creed’s,andIgesturedtothehandshovedinhistrouserpocket

‘Youcutyourself,’Isaid,catchingafurtherwhiffofthemetallicscentofblood.‘Whywouldyoudothat?’Iasked,my tonelacedwithamixofsurpriseandconcern.Irememberwatchinghimslicethatknifethroughhispalmeffortlessly,asifhis skinwasassoftasbutter.Hedidn’tevenflinch.

Creedlookeduncomfortable,rollingbackonhisheelsashefrowned ‘Colthasanamazingsenseofsmell’Hedidn’t soundtoosureofhisanswer.Theupwardsswingofhisvoiceattheendmadeitsoundlikeaquestion.

Thoughthatwouldsortofexplainthesniffing,howeverweirditmighthavebeen.Inarrowedmyeyesasheranhis unbloodiedhandthroughhishair.

Creedsighedheavily,hisshouldersslumpinginsurrender.‘Sometimeswecanpullhimawayfromtheshadowyplace hefindshimselflostin Ihopedifhesmeltbloodhewouldsnapbackandletyougo’Heshruggedatmyopenedmouthstare, likeitwasnothingtosliceopenhisfleshtohelpanunknownwoman.

Myvisionbecameblurredathiswords;Iunderstoodthefeelingofgettingdraggeddowntothedarkpitsinsidemy mind,andwhatothersconsideredoddreactionstosituations.WasthatwhyIfeltthatstrangeconnectiontoColton?Itwasour soulsthatresonated,eachbearingtherawwoundsandjaggedscarsofdespair,creatinganunspokenunderstandingbetween us?

InoddedasIblinkedawaythehaze,gesturingforhimtofollowme.‘Ihavesupplies.Let’sgetthatbandagedupbefore Ileave.’

Iturned,makingmywaytothecar.‘That’sunnecessary,’Creedsaid,butfollowedmeanyway.

ImarchedthroughthecarparkandunlockedthebootofmyHondatoretrievemyextensiveFirst-Aidkit.Itcontained

everythingtohandleminorinjuriesuntilmedicalhelpcame;IevenhadafewHypaguardsplintstodealwithbrokenbonesand sprains.Fortunately,Dwightwasanalwithmyhealthandwellbeing,sotheitemsI’dmostlikelyneedwerecloseathand.I pickedoutafewantiseptic-wipesachets

‘That’ssomeinventoryyougotthere’Creedchuckled ‘AreyouexpectingaZombieApocalypse?’

Idippedmyhead,peeringathimovertherimofmyimaginaryglasses.‘Whenpeoplewakeup,theyneverexpecttobe involvedinacaraccident.Buttheyshouldalwaysbepreparedforone.Andyou’rewelcome.’Igesturedtowardsthestashof supplies.‘Nowyouwon’tgetaninfection.’Henoddedsagely,smilingwhenIcouldn’tcontainmyhumour.‘Mycousin,he’s… meticulous.’

Ah,hemouthedinunderstanding.‘Overprotective?Apaininyourass?’

Asnortescapedme ‘Youknowhim,then?’

Creedsmiledashewinked.‘Let’sjustsaythatthereareafewappleshangingfrommyfamilytreethatsoundvery similar’

Shakingmyhead,mysmilefelteasyasItookholdofhisinjuredhand.Inoticedthegrazedknuckles,ponderedhowhe mighthaveearnedthem,thenquicklydecidedIprobablydidn’twanttoknow Theydidn’tseemtoneedtendingto,anyway

Iwipedthecutwiththeantisepticcloth,ahissofpainwarmingmyscalpasheattemptedtoescapemyministrations.I clickedmytongue ‘Staystill I’llhavethiscleanedupintwotugsofalamb’stail’

Iinvokedmyinnersternmatronandtappedmyfoot.AsIwrestledwithhispalm,hegrumbledinpain,mutteringhis displeasure.‘Don’tyoumeanshakes?’Awhineaccompaniedhisquestion,buttherewasaplayfulundertonetoit.

Ilookedupathim,myhandfreezinginmidairasthepeculiarquestionhungbetweenus ‘Shakes?’

Hegrinned,almostdazzlingme.‘Ofthatpoorlamb’stail.’

Irolledmyeyes,mysmilethreatingthecornersofmymouth ‘Theoutcomeisthesame Itwillsting,butI’mcleaning it,anyway.’

Heconcededwithaslighttiltofhishead.‘Yes,mam.’

Ifinishedwipingawaytheblood,hissoftchucklesfillingthesilence.Ilookedupathim.‘Areyouallergicto adhesives?’

Heshookhishead,‘No’Asmirkliftedhislip ‘Ifthedrumminggigdoesn’tpanout,youwouldmakealovelynurse’ Helaughedatmysneer,whichonlyfedhishumour.‘Andyou’renotsouglywhenyousmile.’

Ihuffed,feigningaffrontasIeyedhisridiculoussize ‘Andyou’dmakealovelygurney’

HebarkedoutacontagiouslaughasIplacedadressingoverthedeepcutandexplainedhowIusuallyonlyplayedthe drumsforfun Iputallthesuppliesbackinthekit,enjoyinghishappy-go-luckynature Beinginhiscompanywaslike rediscoveringadeepconnectionwithanoldfriend.

‘MydayjobisasacareratRosewoodResidentialHome’

Creedbeamed,tippinghisheadalittletotheright ‘Admirable Andfitting,’hesaid,noddingathishandashemade hiswaytothepassenger-sidedoor.Hereachedforthehandle.

‘Whatareyoudoing?’IaskedinconfusionasIclosedtheboot. Creed’seyebrowspulledtogethertightly.‘GettinginyourcarsoIcanseeyouhomesafe.’Hisexpressiontoldmehe wasquestioningmysmarts ‘I’djumpupandholdontotheroofrack,but ’heliftedhisinjuredhand ‘No.’Iblusteredasheopenedthedoor,‘it’snot ’hefoldedhismassiveframelikeapretzelashetuckedhimselfinto thepassengerseat ‘Necessary’Igrowledasheshuthimselfinside,theclunkasheengagedthelockearningastringof whisperedcursesasIstormedtothedriver’sside.

‘Anescortisn’trequired’IhuffedinexasperationasIthrewmyselfinside Creedsmiledgood-naturedly,andIbit backalaughathowsmallhemadethecarappearasthelowroofforcedhisheadtotiltalittle.Iretrievedthekeysfrommy bagbeforethrowingtherucksackintheback ‘Andyousaidyourbrotherwouldn’tharmme’Iputonmyseatbelt,myglare tellinghimheshoulddothesame.

Heclickedhistonguebutmanoeuvredthebeltaroundhisbody ‘AndImeantit,Firecracker,butoncesomeone’s rousedtheoldprotectiveinclinations,it’sdifficulttosetthemaside.It’sanAndersonthing.’Hesomehowshruggedhis shoulders ‘Justappeasetheknightinmeandallowmetoseeyouhome’Iopenedmymouth ‘Youraddresswillbeonyour temporarycontractanyway,soI’lleventuallyknowwhereyoulive.’Hepaused,studyingme.‘AndyourfriendDwightis biggerthanme.’

Ilookedathim,frowningashecontinuedtostudymyface.Itfeltlikehewassearchingforsomethinginparticular.He sniffed,hisgazedriftingtothedarkroadahead.‘Heseemedtoactasyourshield,andthatVikingcoulddosomedamagetome ifanythingbadhappenedtoyou’

Howcloselydidhewatchmetonightifhe’dnoticedthat?Amomentarythoughttoldmetobeconcerned,butitfled justasquickly,becausethemanhadapoint.Ididn’tfeeltheneedtocorrecthimaboutDwightbeingmycousin,though.He mighttreatmedifferently,andIwasenjoyingthebanter.

Ishovedthekeyintheignition.‘Fine.Nolecherousbehaviourallowed.’ Creedchuckled,agreeingtomyterms,mumblingsomethingaboutbigbrothersandblackeyes