Page 77 of Devour

Axl: Take your time, little heathen. It’s good for you to get out for a while.

I smile and pocket my phone. I almost feel bad for calling him an asshole. Almost.

CHAPTER 31

SAYLOR

The grounds behind the Talon mansion are bigger than I realized. There’s a stone path that cuts through a stretch of trees and opens up to a view of the hills beyond the property line. It’s so beautiful out here, and it reminds me that I really should spend more time outside.

Justin walks beside me with his hands in his pockets. We’ve been walking for a while, maybe a little more than an hour. We’ve been talking the entire time, jumping between all kinds of random topics. It’s the most I’ve spoken to my brother in a long time.

“What are you doing with Kynlee?” I finally ask. This is my chance while I have him alone to make sure he’s not going to hurt or embarrass her.

He moves a branch out of my way so I can pass through the trail. “What kind of question is that? She’s my Dove.”

“You’re treating her like shit, Justin. She told me you don’t really have much interest in her.”

He’s quiet for a few steps. “It’s complicated, Sayl.”

“It’s not that complicated. You haven’t been allowed to fuck freely for years, and every other man in the house has turned into a fucking horny idiot from going without.”

“So I should just be able to get it up and fuck your best friend because I fucking can?” He runs his hand down his face. “She isn’t treated like shit. Not that it’s anything I want to discuss with you, but I do enough to make sure she at least gets off when she wants. I assure you, she isn’t all that interested in fucking me either, regardless of what she’s telling you.”

I don’t know what to say to that. Kynlee did mention something about not knowing if she even wanted him. He isn’t being cruel to her, and I can’t blame him for not wanting to fuck someone he doesn’t want in that way. I wouldn’t want that either. My body trembles imagining what would have happened if I hadn’t ended up with Axl as my Talon.

“Just don’t hurt her, Justin.” That’s really all I can ask for.

“I don’t intend to.” He sounds offended by my ask. “If you recall, I didn’t pick her. She picked me. And I’m doing the best I can with a situation that neither of us asked for.”

We walk in silence for a while after that. The path narrows where the trees thicken, and the ground is uneven with roots pushing through the dirt. My flip-flops aren’t exactly the best shoes for this little nature walk, but I don’t have much choice at this point.

My foot catches on a root, and I stumble forward. Justin’s arm is around my waist before I hit the ground, pulling me back against him. His chest is solid against my back, and his grip is tight on my hip with his other hand.

“Be careful, Sayl.” His voice is low and close, right against my ear.

I freeze. His breath is warm on my neck, and something about it sends a chill straight through me. My body goes rigid as his hands on me feel wrong.

But he doesn’t let go right away. His hand stays on my hip, and I can feel him pressed against me. I don’t know if I’m imagining what I think I feel against my back, but my skin is crawling and I need to move away from him.

I step forward out of his grip and awkwardly tuck my hair behind my ears. “Thanks,” I manage. “For catching me.”

“Are you good?” He’s looking at me like nothing happened. And I shake off whatever that was. Of course nothing happened. I tripped, and my brother caught me. That’s it.

I’m imagining things. Axl has me so wound up that clearly I’m seeing things that aren’t there. He has me believing everything is a threat. But I’m suddenly aware that I didn’t bring my knife like I was supposed to.

“Yeah. I’m good. I think we should head back though.” I check my phone, and there’s nothing else from Axl. “Axl will be home soon, and these flip-flops are starting to hurt my feet.”

Justin has his phone out too, seemingly unbothered by what just happened, which only confirms how wrong I am. He pockets his phone and motions down the path. “Let’s get you back to the asshole.”

I punch my brother in the shoulder. If luck is on my side, Axl will be there when I return.

Justin walks me back to my door. He leans against the wall, catching my attention before I enter the code.

“If Axl’s still not back later, text me, and I’ll make sure you get dinner. I don’t want you skipping meals again.”

“You don’t have to—”

He nudges my shoulder. “Will you just text me, Sayl?”