AllFreeNovel
Share Us
GENEVIEVE
Everything is different now. Well, some things. I’m no longer questioning if they are going to kill me at every turn. While we still have some issues to tackle, it feels as if we’re on the verge of being normal, but most importantly, I no longer feel like a prisoner.
I don’t exactly feel like I’m part of the family yet, but we’re getting there. I’d be lying if I said I’m not looking forward to that. The reason I stay, the reason I didn’t run, is the urge I feel to be a part of the small, tightknit family they have created. I want it so badly, I’d give up so much for it.
In the end, I suppose I am giving up things I might not have considered before. I still have money, of course. I’ll need to make my own reappearance at some point, or at least alert the police that I’m fine, so it’s a nonissue. It’s best to make sure they don’t freeze any of my assets, thinking I’m still missing. My reputation, once everything gets better, might be ruined, but I’ve never cared for that anyway. Honestly, if I had to, I’d give up my money and everything I’ve worked for just to feel as if I belong, but I don’t dare say that out loud to the others. It’s a weakness of sorts, one I’m not sure I want Archer exploiting so soon. Sure, I trust Booker and Eric, but Archer has one mission, and that’s to protect his family.
Gage… Well, I don’t really know what to think of Gage yet.
Now that I’m no longer sequestered in my room or fearing for my life, the atmosphere in the old farmhouse is very different. Nowhere is really off limits, though out of respect, I stay out of the guys’ rooms. I am free to roam the house, and I’m even allowed outside as long as the sun isn’t up. I’m still a missing person, so if someone reports spotting me, I don’t want the police to show up and get the guys in trouble.
Today, I’m sitting at the dining room table, picking at a plate of food Eric whipped up. Eric and Booker sit on either side of me, their hands tracing my skin every so often under the table, stirring me up to the point where I consider inviting them both to my room. Would they be up for something like that? Neither seem to care that I’ve slept with the other. Perhaps being family means something even greater, and if I become a part of it, they won’t mind me being with both of them…or with all of them.
My eyes trail to the other side of the table, where Archer studies his tablet, his glasses perched on the tip of his nose as he reads whatever information he’s found.
While Booker and Eric have completely accepted me into their midst, Archer is standoffish. He purposely stays away from me, never allowing us to be alone together. I try not to take it personally. The fearless leader probably considers me a wrench in their plans as opposed to any sort of asset. I’ll have to find a way to prove to him I can belong here, that I can be an important part of the family.
As I stare at him, Archer glances up from his tablet, his eyes meeting mine. There’s always something so different about Archer’s eyes. From first glance, the colour is bright and striking, but that’s not what’s so pretty about them. It’s the emotions, the complexity, that are always reflected there. I can see the responsibility and stress he feels swirling with his distrust of me and the cleverness of whatever plans he makes.
I’ve never seen such expressive eyes.
In the same instant, all that I see is hidden away behind a mask Archer must have spent years perfecting. His brows rise as I continue to stare at him, unashamed of being caught looking. Archer is an attractive man. I’d be a fool to lie and say his complete mastery of this team isn’t a turn-on. There’s something inherently sexy about a man who can make decisions and stick to them, especially when those plans are successful. It makes me want to let him master me in return.
“Didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s rude to stare?” Archer asks, his gaze piercing.Fuck, what I wouldn’t give for him to talk to me like that in the bedroom. I’ve never been one for degradation, but maybe I wouldn’t mind this man talking a little dirty to me while I’m at his mercy.
I shift in my seat to hide my sudden arousal, but Archer notices the movement. The corner of his lips kicks up as if he knows exactly what I’m thinking.
Bastard.
“Of course.” I shrug, playing it off. “But I’ve also been taught to admire masterpieces, so here we are.”
Archer’s eyes widen in surprise at the clear pick-up line. Eric had been in the process of taking a drink of his orange juice. The moment the words slipped out of my mouth, he nearly spit the juice all over the table, covering his mouth just in time to prevent a mess. Booker snorts in amusement, while Gage goes eerily still.
It takes longer for Archer to recover than I expect, and I can’t help the smile that curls my lips. Oh, so the big, bad, fearless leader doesn’t know how to take compliments.
I like that a lot more than I should.
“This isn’t a museum,” Archer finally mutters, and my grin only widens.
I look around the group pointedly. “Isn’t it though?”
“Any time you’d like me to model for you, I’m down,” Eric offers with a wink. “I can hold a pose like the best of them. I even considered nude modelling at one point.”
“Of course you did.” Booker laughs. “I bet you were a regular Adonis.”
“Aw,” Eric teases. “You noticed I’m hot.”
Booker shrugs, and I eye him curiously.
“Enough,” Archer growls, returning his eyes to the tablet.
For a moment, I consider not saying a word. He’s clearly annoyed at us, but I’ve never claimed not to be a brat. The urge to push and prod and poke until he caves and puts me in my place is strong.
Setting down my fork, I clear my throat. Archer glances up at the sound and scowls.
“What is it now?” he rumbles.
I reach up and rub my eyes. “There must be something wrong with my eyes,” I say, and everyone frowns at my words.
