Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 62782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
“It helps having a piece of them to remember them by,” Cash says. “Do you have something of the ones you lost?”
Nothing.
Not one single thing.
I shake my head, frowning.
“Here. Wear this then.” He lifts my head and slides the dogtags around my neck. “I always feel closer to my dad when I have them.” He chuckles. “Don’t look at me so shocked. It’s been a long time. I’d rather you have them. That way, whenever you’re feeling all alone, you’ll think of me.”
His words are sweet, making my stomach tighten. I sign the words Thank you. He closes his probing green eyes when I touch his hair. It’s feathery soft, and I want to bury my nose in it. Whenever Cash is near, I’m just so damn enchanted by him.
“Come with me tonight,” he murmurs, dipping down to kiss me again. “I’m going to the gay dance club in town, Blur.”
Yeah, right.
Cy would have my head on a stick if I did that.
“Please,” Cash begs. “We’ll be more careful this time. I’ll even borrow Wyatt’s car.”
I want to argue, but it’s not like I can voice my opinion anyway. He distracts me by licking my neck. My fingers are once again in his hair, tugging and urging him closer to me.
“I’ll suck your dick, Remy. Right there on the dancefloor for all to see.”
Lust burns hot in my gut. I know he’s just messing with me, but fuck if that doesn’t give me the best damn fantasy in the world. I’ve never been to a dance club, and I’ve certainly never had my dick sucked. It sounds like an insanely good time.
“Just say yes,” Cash implores, an impish grin on his face.
I nod because whenever he’s in my presence, I have a hard time denying him. I’m damn near desperate to have a friend or crush or whatever the hell this is. When he’s around, I’m not choking on the fog of hatred and resentment I feel toward Cy. It’s refreshing, if not a bit blinding to the world around me.
“Spike your hair again,” he instructs. “It makes you look older. If we can get inside, I can con someone into buying us drinks. I’ll have you back home by two in the morning, and Cyrus will never know you left.”
He makes it seem so easy.
And stupidly, I believe him.
My whole body jitters with nerves and slight apprehension the farther we drive from the cabin. Sneaking out was easier this time. I made sure to focus on the bond, aware of the others, without revealing to them my thoughts and desires. Hopefully, they’ll all stay asleep until we get back. The last thing I want to do is argue another night with Cy.
“The sheriff said they found a body on the road,” Cash says, glancing my way before darting his gaze back to the headlight path lit before him. “Thought maybe an animal got him.” He shudders. “The guy was close to our age.”
I grimace at the thought of Cash lying on the side of the road, half-eaten by a bear.
“But Van was in town later and he overheard some people talking. Said the guy had been raped.”
Raped?
My thoughts drift to when I finally came to after that fateful night.
“It’s okay, sweetie. You’re safe now,” a Black woman says to me, a sad smile on her face. “We’ll take care of you.”
I want my mom.
The words don’t come out, though. Only pain. So much pain.
“Do you remember what happened?” the woman asks.
Blood. Snapping of bones. Tearing of skin and muscles. Snarling. Grunts and growls. Hot, stinky breath coming out in heavy pants in my face. A tail snaking around my leg and yanking it. The drag of a tongue on my face.
Tears blur my vision and race down my cheeks. Heavy footsteps thunder into the room, making me startle.
“What is it?” the man demands. “Why is he upset?”
“Oh, Cy. Whoever or whatever did this to him…”
The man—Cy—is so angry it feels like it’s an explosion in the room. I try to roll away and escape, but everything hurts too much.
“I’ll hunt it down and kill it,” Cy growls. “Until then, we’ll keep him protected. No one will hurt him ever again.”
He whistles to get my attention, and I blink away my daze. I’d been lost in my memories. Back then, I’d been afraid of Cy’s protectiveness. Now, I’m just annoyed by it.
“Time to wake up, Rem. We’re here.”
Five minutes later, we’ve made our way into a dance club that throbs with bodies and music. Glitter is everywhere, and the place smells oddly like cotton candy. I’m mesmerized by all the dancing people. If it weren’t for Cash’s hand in mine, I’d probably get lost in the crowd. He manages to pull me to the center of it all beneath the lights pulsating with the music. His arm is still in a sling, so he brings my hand to his good shoulder before letting go to hold on to my waist. Our lips find each other for a hot kiss. He grinds his erection against mine, making me nearly dizzy with need.