Page 56 of Fractured Memories

“Why me?” he shouts.

“Because if it’s Rohan, Miles will be dead in five minutes.” Kieran’s tone is dry, and excitement shoots through me at hearing him.

“I want him dead more,” Lochlan argues as I creep closer.

“And I have less patience.” Rohan’s voice is raspy, his accent thicker than the other two.

For a moment, I consider turning away, not wanting to interrupt them. But then Lochlan turns around to swipe a bottle from the table by him and spots me. At first, he grins, but I watch his expression fall as he remembers the way I’ve been avoiding them. I don’t like that.

“Ro, we should go.”

“You can’t throw a fit⁠—”

“Rohan.”

“It’s okay.” I step around the corner, my eyes darting to Kieran, who sits up as soon as he sees me. Meeting Lochlan’s deep blue gaze, I muster a smile that doesn’t feel that natural. I’m not like Mika. I only naturally grin when I’m teasing—or provoking. “I didn’t mean for you to leave.”

Lochlan looks from me to Kieran, uncertainty on his face. Even Rohan’s brow is pinched, not that I blame him. Neither of them seems to know what to do with me, and if I’m being honest, I feel slightly out of my element. I don’t really know these guys, not anymore, but my hand brushes over the blade sheathed at my thigh, reminding me that I’m not helpless.

And under Kieran’s green gaze, I feel myself relax a little more. I trust him enough to let my guard down around his friends. Or at least try to.

He lifts his glass, only focused on me. “You want to join us for a drink?”

Relief trickles through me at his invitation. With a playful grin, I echo his words from last night. “I would love to.”

CHAPTER 20

KIERAN

Eleven months before Eden went missing…

Jude’s glare is boring into the side of my face. I can feel it, even if I refuse to lift my eyes to meet his in the mirror.

I’m too focused on Eden, anyway. Dressed in skintight black shorts and a matching tank top, there’s endless skin on display—and those fucking thigh sheaths. They are sexy as hell, and I can’t think straight when all I want is to fuck her in them.

I tug her closer to me, tempted to drag her into my lap. Especially when she’s staring at me with a hooded gaze, lust dancing in those golden depths. I’ve already tugged my gloves off, needing to feel her skin beneath my palm.

I didn’t let her come before we got in the car, thinking it would be more fun to tease her all the way back up the mountain. But now I’m the one dying to be inside my girl.

Dipping my head down to kiss her neck, Eden leans into me. It’s not a long drive up to the compound, but I don’t know how I’m going to last when her hand lands on my thigh and drags up⁠—

“Not in my car,” Jude growls.

I lift my head to find his jaw clenched and eyes narrowed on me. Beside me, Eden tries to scoot away, but I don’t let her get far.

Her laughter is soft as she whispers, “You got in trouble.”

“I’m the boss.” I still keep my voice low. “I don’t get in trouble.”

“You absolutely do.” So, Jude has super hearing. Good to know. “Keep your pants on. I can assure you that Rohan is waiting for you already.”

I lean my head back and groan. Maybe it wasn’t the best idea to steal Eden’s challenge tonight after I told Rohan I’d stop. Especially when I didn’t even take Lochlan to the cages with me this time—mostly because he’s been stuck to my side whenever we go down to the city.

It’s not a slight at Eden, either. After they finally met, she quickly won them over. Lochlan loves her violent side, and she can even pull the occasional laugh out of Rohan. With the way she and Mika get along—which is all it takes to win over Jude—she’s more popular in my own home than I am.

Not that I mind.

No, they say that I’m thinking too much with my dick, and Jude can only rein me in so much. Why Lochlan is the one that they think will keep me on track—when he loves to drink and fuck more than I do and he’s worse about needing to spill a little blood—I have no clue.