Page 4 of Apple of His Eye


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KOHEN “VORTEX” PRINCE

The sound of rainfall overtakes the music coming from the sound system I installed when I first bought my two-bedroom bungalow. It was a shithole until I got my hands on it a year ago. It’s a work in progress, but it’s also an escape for me. A place to crash when I need a moment to myself without all the noise of the clubhouse.

I drag in a deep breath, mute the television, and listen to the torrential rainfall pounding the ground. It’s a welcome sound, but it’s a terrible combination when it’s near freezing outside.

I like the rain. It reminds me of happy moments in my life. The times before my parents divorced. I would sneak into their bedroom at night to climb in between them when the thunder rumbled over us. My brother, Atticus, wouldn’t be far behind.

There are other moments it brings me back to.

Moments with her…

Lottie.

I haven’t thought of her in a long time. She’s the only woman to claim a piece of my heart. She’s also the only one to break it, too.

Lightning flashes outside, and a second later thunder booms, causing the house to vibrate.

Fuck.

The crew.

Atticus.

The Jackals are out on a mission tonight, and my younger brother is with them. I reach for my cell phone, shooting off a text to the brother in charge this time, Smoke.

I like the rain, but it doesn’t mix well with riding, especially when it’s cold out. But damn, there is nothing in the world like riding a motorcycle down the open road without a care.

ME: Check in with me when y’all get back. Weathers ramping up outside.

SMOKE: 10-4, boss.

Rain in cold weather is never a good sign, especially for a biker. It means either you risk your life in the elements or act smart and choose a different mode of transportation. Knowing my crew, they opted for their bikes.

I take a breath and settle deeper into the oversized couch, listening to the storm as it passes overhead. The area experienced a record heat and drought this year. We didn’t get much of Fall and this storm is a little out of character, but any precipitation is welcome. Even if it causes the roads to ice over tonight.

The dryer chimes, signally the end of its cycle, interrupting my thoughts and I take another breath. I’m not supposed to be worrying about this shit when I’m here, but damn if I can’t shut it off. I bring the amber bottle I’ve been nursing for the last hour to my lips and discover it’s empty.

Well, damn.I eyeball the fridge from across of the now open concept room. Knocking down the walls separating the living area from the kitchen was the first thing I did in my renovation. It made the house feel larger, and if I’m honest, it’s good to have a direct line of sight to each door from any angle.

I stand and walk toward the fridge, intent on getting another beer, but something stops me.

The sound of a light scrape, and then a thump. It’s soft, competing with the noise outside. I look around the room, trying to assess where it came from.

Maybe it was the trees outside, scratching against the new siding. Or maybe it was the heater kicking on,I think to myself before backtracking my since I arrived this afternoon.

No. It couldn’t have been the heater. I never touched the control panel.

Straining my ears, I don’t even breathe trying to determine if it was my imagination or ghosts of the past fucking with me.

Skkkrph. Thump. Skkkrph. Thump.

It sounds like something is being dragged across the floor.

The fuck?

I can determine it’s not coming from outside.

The basement then?

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