Page 104 of Twisted Heathens

Goddammit, the way she came apart beneath my touch.

The memory has been seared onto my mind ever since. Every stolen kiss and late-night fuck when we were kids pales in comparison. She acted like she didn’t want it, but the minute I touched her dripping pussy, I knew the truth. She’s as hung up on the past as I am. Neither of us has moved on in the last five years.

I can’t stop thinking about her. Every day she ignores me is fucking torture. I hate her, hate how powerless she makes me feel. Like I’m nothing more than a puppy trailing after her, begging for any crumb of attention. Yet every night since she was in my bed, I jerk off to the memory and imagine ways to lure her back. Excuses to talk to her. Ways to get in her room. Conversation starters and scenarios in which we could actually be good for each other.

Yet every time I come up empty handed.

Attempting to tame my hair, I startle when Kade breezes into the room.

“Hey, you ready to go? It’s nearly four.”

“Since when don’t you knock?” I groan.

“Since you stopped answering when I knocked. Come on, we’re going to be late.”

I straighten my shirt collar, tugging at the material that threatens to choke me. Kade looks me up and down, giving me a smile. “You look good. Mum will be pleased.”

“Can’t believe you’re making me do this.”

“She hasn’t seen you in over a year. With the legal shitstorm heading our way, least you can do is act like you care,” he criticises, causing guilt to bloom in my chest.

I follow him out, leaving my phone but grabbing my ID. Not much of a defence I can offer, I’ve behaved like a fucking asshole. To my adoptive mum and many others. We walk over to the reception in tense silence, neither bothering to make small talk.

Once inside, we head through several brightly lit corridors, walls lined with art that probably costs more than my entire tattoo sleeves. Everything’s clean and tidy the closer we get to the visitation area, with even more finery than the other buildings. Like the wealth of this place isn’t clear enough, they’ve got to rub it in just that little bit more.

At another reception surrounded by equal grandeur, we check in and get our IDs scanned, a burly security officer seizing us both up. He frisks us and checks for concealed contraband, anything we could be trying to get out or trade with the visitor.

“Out,” he demands, placing his hand under my chin.

I spit the gum out. “You done? We’ve got somewhere to be.”

Several more seconds of aggressive patting down later, we’re finally permitted to enter the room. It’s kind of like a restaurant, with tables and chairs spread out, refreshments available from the hatch and elevator music playing in the background. The only difference being the barred windows, heavy security presence and multiple cameras dotted about.

“Smile,” Kade orders as we take a seat.

“I’m an adult, I know how to fucking behave.”

“Do you? That’s news to me.”

My leg jiggles under the table, betraying my anxiety while we wait for our visitor to show up. “No need to be a dick. I know you’re just fucking jealous.”

Kade scoffs incredulously. “Of what exactly?”

“I’m the only one that’s had her in my bed.” I smirk at him, “And that’s driving you crazy. Don’t worry bro, I’ll take good care of Brooklyn.”

The laugh he lets out hurts my confidence a little, it’s so full of humour and disbelief. “You really are delusional. You think you’re the only one?” Kade turns in his chair, giving me his full attention. “She agreed to stick around, that doesn’t mean she’s all yours. The other two are with her right now doing God knows what.”

I swallow the lump in my throat, refusing to entertain the possibilities of what could be happening at this exact moment with my goddamn girl. “So what, we’re sharing her now? Like she’s some piece of meat to pass between us?”

Kade settles back in his chair, shaking his head. “Look… I don’t know. We’re looking out for each other, that’s it. You know that we all care about her, that’s why we’ve brought her into the fold.” He hesitates, fidgeting nervously. “The rest of it is up to her.”

“I don’t share,” I growl automatically. Hell no.

“She’s sleeping with Eli already, Hud. Probably Phoenix too. You gonna say no if she comes to you?” Kade asks simply. “All I care about is getting everyone out of here alive and starting fresh. Nothing else matters. We stick together.”

I hesitate, feeling a brief blossom of hope that’s quickly crushed. I don’t want to lose the guys, and I can’t begin to contemplate losing Brooklyn now that I’ve found her again. But sharing her? How the hell would that even work? It’s insane to say the least.

“So you’re happy to fuck someone that’s also screwing your best friends?” I snort.

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