Fuck, I love that boy.
The sun hovers at the edge of the horizon, its spindly gold rays brushing against the tops of trees and buildings. The setting sun has brought with it a cool wind that blows my hair around my head.
I run a hand down my face, feeling inexplicably tired. Exhausted, actually. My eyelids feel as if they’re made of concrete, the weight of them impossible to keep up.
A mixture of regret, rage, and disappointment curdles in my stomach. I acted like a fucking coward and left without asking any questions.
Why did I do it?
Am I just too afraid to know the answers?
“I fucked up with them, didn’t I? I should’ve asked them all of these questions and demanded answers and?—”
“You have time to think,” Reid tells me gruffly, placing a hand on my shoulder before instantly lowering it back to his side.
His fingers clench and unclench as if unsure if he’s allowed to touch me.
“Andwehave time to finally catch up,” Emery says, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet. He rubs his hands together, a mischievous, shit-eating grin tugging up his lips. “Like…a date?”
“Are you asking me out after I just killed seven people and then met with my biological fathers for the first time?” I deadpan.
Emery stops his incessant bouncing, though he keeps his hands together. “Errr…yes?”
“Good.” I chuckle, though the noise is mirthless. “Because that’s exactly what I need.”
“You know I would love to hang out with you guys,” Ethan begins miserably, peering at his watch. When he glances up at me, there’s an apology in his eyes—and a raging heat that sweeps through me like a wildfire. “But I have to be at work.”
Ethan works at a computer store in the mall. It’s actually where I first met him all those weeks ago. God, has it only been a couple of months? It feels like longer, like I’ve known him forever.
But maybe that’s just because I know how his body feels on top of mine, his lips teasing my own, his cock sheathed in my pussy.
A flutter erupts in my belly, and I curse the butterflies for making an unexpected appearance. Those fuckers never settle when I’m around these men.
Which reminds me…
“Where’s Ashton, by the way?” I don’t know if I’m upset, indifferent, or grateful he hasn’t shown up.
Jake texted him along with the others, but apparently, he hasn’t gotten a reply.
Ethan and Emery exchange a glance, and Reid’s frown deepens, creating deep grooves in the sides of his face.
“Errr.” Emery bites down on his lower lip, his tongue snaking out to fiddle with the bulb there. “We don’t know.”
“You don’t know?” I repeat, incredulous. “How do you not know? You four are thicker than thieves. I swear you guys even poop at the same time.”
“I’ll have you know I draw the line at butt wiping,” Emery interrupts. “But to be completely honest, we don’t know where he went. He went to the Council headquarters the other day, then he sent a text saying he was going to be away for a few days.”
“And you’re not worried?” I lift both eyebrows at that.
Ethan takes my hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze. “Ashton’s fine. We’d be able to sense through the packbond if he wasn’t.”
“Probably trying to find Christian,” Reid grunts, scowling.
My heart batters my rib cage.
“And has anyone found him? Christian, I mean.” I know the answer, but I still want to hear them confirm it.
Ethan shakes his head apologetically. “I’m sorry. But Gregor has people looking. That’s probably where Ashton is.”
