AllFreeNovel
Share Us
An irrational flame of jealousy burns brightly before I tamp it down. I have a whip tight leash on my darker emotions and rarely let them come out. There’s a reason I’m the sunny one. I don’t let that darkness show. It’s just that the idea of someone else trying to claim Lena has me wanting to bash in skulls.
“With me at your side, no one would dare ask. I’ll warn them off with my vicious stare.”
“Yes, that’s exactly how I’d describe you.”
“I’ve been taking lessons on surliness from Davis.”
Lena laughs, the sound making my heart swell.
“Okay, then. I guess I’m on guard duty this weekend.”
“Consider it a date.”
An introspective look clings to Lena’s face as we arrive at the address Serafina provided. The trail ends on a private drive that’s been cleared; the path covered in gravel. Her eyes are on the woods, but I doubt she sees anything. She is too lost in her thoughts. She looks beautiful, as always. Perfect on the outside, brewing pot on the inside. Tonight, she’s wearing a tight black skirt that ends just below her knees, a slouchy red shirt, and a leather jacket over the top. She has on a pair of red high heels that match her shirt and should be fucking illegal. I will not be able to stop thinking about fucking her in those shoes and nothing else. I almost drooled over her ass when I picked her up.
“Why are we at the Smithe’s house?” Obviously, I was too distracted to realize this was where we were headed tonight.
Lena's attention drags from the woods. She cocks her head to peer out the window, taking in the architectural beauty in front of us. It’s been years since I’ve been out here, and I forgot how gorgeous this house is. It was built in the 1880s, but painstakingly restored about twenty years ago by the Smithe family. The Second Empire style home is three stories, with a mansard roof that has ornate surrounds on the dormer windows. The windows on the second floor are arched, and the porch has stone pillars that perfectly frame the front door and main level windows.
“This house has been in the Smithe family for as long as I can recall. I have no idea why Serafina insisted we have our meeting here tonight.”
Ben and Julian’s ATV is already parked out front, but there are no other vehicles outside. I shrug at Lena’s questioning brow when she seems to be as clueless as me, and get out.
“Does this feel like a set-up in a scary movie to you?” Lena whispers once we’re out of my vehicle and walking to the front door. Her hand brushes the back of mine and I hook her pinkie.
“If we’re going to get murdered, at least we’ll be together.”
Lena shakes her head, but a blush steals over her cheeks. “That's almost romantic, in a totally creepy, crazy way.”
“That’s me. Romantic in a totally creepy way.”
Lena laughs, and it lights me up. It’s too rare, and it’s one of my favorite sounds. It cinches something in my chest when her smile disappears.
“I was going to tell you earlier that I went to see Rhys yesterday.”
“Was he being an ass?” I raise my brows and then turn toward the door. There’s a large brass knocker on the double front doors in the shape of a lion’s head. I lift the heavy circle notched tightly in the animal’s mouth, and the bang is way louder than I anticipate when it connects with the door.
“That’s not ominous at all,” Lena says with a dramatic shiver, and I roll my eyes.
“Do you think a demon is going to answer the door?”
As if on cue, the door swings open swiftly and quietly, startling us both.
“I wouldn’t say I’m a demon. I’m just misunderstood.”
Colton Zima is on the other side of the door. He has a huge grin on his face, like we’re all just great friends sharing a private joke. The problem is, the jokes on us. What the fuck is Colton doing here? Lena looks just as confused.
“What are you doing here?”
“Well, it is my house, so I would think that’s obvious.”
Before either one of us can voice the multitude of questions we have, Colton waves us inside. “Come in, come in. Let’s not stand on the threshold of the door like a bunch of savages. We don’t want to let in any dark spirits.”
My hand is wrapped around Lena’s arm, just above her elbow. I don’t even know when I grabbed her, but I sure as hell won’t be letting go now. It takes all my willpower not to tug her back to my ATV and get us the hell out of here. I don’t know why I have such a visceral reaction to Colton, but I don’t think I’m alone. Lena leans into my side, pressing closer to me. I finally drop her arm to let my hand rest on her lower back, just above the swell of her ass. Her perfect ass, in that too fucking tight skirt.
Colton leads us through the front hall and down a corridor, not bothering to keep up any conversation.
“What happened with Rhys?” I ask, resuming our conversation from earlier. I look toward Colton, but he’s so far in front of us, I doubt he’s listening.
