Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 61868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
We tread carefully around each other when we need to. We tolerate each other’s crap, and all is forgiven when it goes wrong.
But like brothers, there is an urge to protect, to look out for each other, and to keep our business between these four walls despite the things that cause friction.
Skye coming into our lives has given us a shared purpose. She’s ours to protect. Ours to care for. This cabin, this forest; this is home.
What will it take to heal our wounds and right all the wrongs?
Maybe more than any of us can achieve.
But we can try.
For Skye, we can try.
14
JACK
A SEED OF A PLAN
As Skye rests in Finn’s arms, I’m suddenly taken aback by a wave of protectiveness towards this woman who has come into our lives. The moment I saw her, I had a feeling in my gut. I thought that feeling meant trouble, and maybe it still does, or maybe it was a sense that she was destined to become something bigger in our lives.
I know West and Finn feel the same way.
It’s as if we’ve been given this woman who needs our help, and now we have to look outside of our own lives and rise up like her knights in shining armor.
I remember the night I saw Finn huddled on the sidewalk outside Rangos. I could have walked past him, but something told me to talk to him. The rest is history. Sitting here tonight, I have the same urge to help Skye, and as much as I try to push the sensation away and lock it up with a heavy-duty padlock, I can’t deny the anger that has gripped me hearing what that man has done to her.
The heat from the fire I hastily stoked is dying, and the light in the room is fading along with it. It won’t be long until the sun begins its ascent. Skye looks exhausted as she disentangles herself from Finn and moves onto the couch. He rises, too, stretching his arms above his head as he follows Skye and wraps her in a blanket. West guzzles water as if it’s the height of summer and he’s decimated half the forest with his ax.
“Thirsty work. I thought Skye was here to ease the strain, not make us bust a gut!” We both stifle laughter, even though no one’s sleeping yet.
“We’re getting old,” I joke.
“Speak for yourself. I’m in the prime of my fucking life.” West rubs his abs, unconscious of the jut of his cock, proving his sentiment right now. The man’s ready to go again, although it’s doubtful Skye could face more of our brand of sex right now.
I pull on my shorts and toss West’s his. He tugs them up his thick legs, adjusting his cock so the waistband holds it in place.
We both sit at the table, even though it’s the middle of the night, and we all need to sleep. I lean in, keeping my voice low so Skye won’t hear.
“It’s fucked up what she said, though, right?”
“Yep.”
I know that this will be something West wants to put right. He has too many stories from his days in the military, where justice and retribution were distant or impossible. Our simmering frustrations could be put to good use.
“We’re gonna need to do something about it.”
“Yep.”
Our eyes meet and silent confirmation passes between us. Whatever it takes is what we both communicate.
“I’m gonna put Sleeping Beauty to bed. Sunday tomorrow.”
West nods, guzzles another slug of water, and returns the glass to the sink.
As I stoop down to scoop Skye from the safety and comfort of Finn’s lap on the couch, I catch her sweet and now almost familiar scent and lift her with ease. She’s like a feather in my arms, already half asleep, and she stirs a little before encircling her arms around my neck. Her pale skin is warm against my rough and calloused hands. I tread carefully into the hallway and along to her room.
From her window, the lingering glow of the moon is fading and I can already hear the first of the early morning birds begin their dawn chorus. What time is it? She doesn’t have a clock, and I can’t see any sign of the burner phone.
I reach out to draw back her cover and lay her gently on the bed below. I grab the blanket that West left for her, hanging idly over the back of my rocking chair, and spread it over her slim frame.
Her body is curled in on itself in a protective pose. I watch her as she stirs and settles, and my eyes wander over to the window. The curtains are undrawn, and the space behind the glass is as black as Satan’s heart.
Casting my gaze back down, I’m caught off guard to see Skye’s eyes wide open. She reaches out for my hand, which I accept.