AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You know what I mean,” Orion said. “I should have stepped in or, at the very least, asked you if you were safe at home.”
“Are you saying this is your fault?” Santee looked incredulously at Orion. “Don’t you dare blame yourself for what Marvell did to you. He’s sick and twisted and is hurting people. He even had Deloris threatened if she didn’t tell the cops that you were last seen with me.”
“For real?” Orion’s brows shot up.
Santee desperately wanted to tell his friend what was going on, that Marvell was setting up shifters to be killed. But Orion was human, and it was forbidden to tell them about the preternatural world if they weren’t a mate or someone who helped them, like the vet or someone else who provided a valuable service.
As significant as Orion was to Santee, the human wasn’t important to the preternatural world, so he had to stay in the dark, even if Santee didn’t like that.
At least, that was what his parents had drilled into his head. For all he knew, they could be full of shift. Lord knew his trust in them had been shattered, but until Santee asked Beckett if it was okay to tell Orion, he was keeping his mouth shut.
“What do you mean he’s hurting people?” Orion asked. “I thought he just jumped me because I helped you that day.”
“Have you told the police it was him?”
Orion shook his head, shame filling his eyes. “No. I didn’t want Marvell coming after me again for ratting him out.”
Santee took a seat on the side of Orion’s bed, hearing the bed crinkle as he sat. “You can come stay with me until Marvell is caught.”
Orion snorted. “No offense, but I’m not staying in the same house as your brother. I’m not looking to get my ass kicked again.”
“I’m not living at home,” Santee said. “Remember that guy I was heading out to meet the day you covered for me?”
Orion nodded.
“I’m living with him now. His name is Beckett. He knows about Marvell, too. Beckett also has three brothers who will protect us.”
“Why?” Orion asked. “They don’t even know me. They barely know you.”
It was on the tip of Santee’s tongue to tell Orion that Beckett was his mate, to tell his friend everything, but again, until he spoke to Beckett, Santee’s gut told him to remain quiet. “They’re good guys, Orion. After growing up with Marvell, I didn’t think men like them existed. That perfect strangers would go out on a limb to help people they don’t know… It seems unreal, but I swear they’re like that.”
“You never told me who else Marvell hurt,” Orion reminded him.
“As far as I know, he’s killed twice, but I’m willing to bet they’re more.” Santee held up a hand. “Yes, the cops know. They’re actively searching for him as we speak.”
Santee had to say it was Marvell because he couldn’t tell Orion that his brother was selling out shifters to human hunters.
Santee was just glad his friend had been willing to forgive him and to talk to him. That showed him what kind of character Orion had. His friend might change his mind if he found there were more than humans roaming the earth.
Orion looked taken aback. “Your brother is a serial killer?”
Santee palmed his own face. “I swear to god I’m adopted.”
“What about your parents?” Orion asked. “You told me that they’re on their dream vacation, traveling around the world.”
Clenching his jaw, Santee said, “And they refuse to believe that Marvell is sick. My mom thinks the way Marvell treats me is boys being boys.”
“Are you serious?” Orion’s jaw dropped. “That’s not normal.”
“Tell me about it. I just got into it with my mom before I came to see you, and she refuses to think that her darling son is a ruthless killer.”
Not the actual killer, but still…
Orion slid down the bed and rested his head on the pillow. “A real-life serial killer attacked me, and I lived.” He sat back up. “Do you think he’ll come after me to finish the job?”
“I honestly don’t know,” Santee answered. “That’s why I want you to come stay with me until he’s caught.”
“I can’t leave my mom alone,” Orion said. “If Marvell comes to my house looking for me, he might hurt her. Sheriff Harper said he had someone watching out for her, even though I didn’t tell him who attacked me.”
