Page 23 of Deceptively Dead

“Yes. We find it is easier this way. And it means we don’t have to bury people we know when someone unworthy is grantedaccess to the community. It is much harder to kill someone when they have been accepted into the fold. Too many people around all the time to pull off a clean murder.” Chase adds in cheerfully, “Plus there’s really only so many accidents that can happen before people get suspicious.”

I bark a laugh at his down-cast expression, as if murder should be easier.

“So, what makes them unworthy?” I question.

“Oh, the usual. Unwarranted violence, animal cruelty, child molesters or a general cunty attitude, I guess. Oh yeah, murders and serial killers and stuff.” Chase replies deadpan and I laugh again, giving him a pointed look. “Oh, we aren’t classed as murderers. More like vigilantes?”

“Ah, of course. I always loved an antihero.” I say, fluttering my lashes at him in an exaggerated motion. He laughs and leans over to kiss me again, but Hunter snaps his hand forward and face palms him away.

“Less distracting, idiot.” He huffs at Chase as he struggles against his palm. Turning back to me Hunter asks “Are you ok sweetheart? I know this might be a lot to take in.”

I think it over and realise that yes, I am ok. I know one hundred percent that the guys in front of me would never hurt someone who didn’t deserve it. They were built to protect, and if that protection requires deadly force, then that’s what they will do.

I lean back into Hunter and gaze up into his dark eyes. I give him a grin and simply state. “I trust you guys.” And I do. I trust them to take care of me and to not be the villains in my story. They can be the villains in everyone else story, just as long as they stay the heroes in mine. I say as much to them.

Nate leans across the kitchen island to grab my hand and bring it to his mouth. He gives me a panty melting smile that warms his ocean blue eyes and makes my brain go fuzzy.

“I knew she was perfect.” Chase murmurs to Hunter. Then, “Told you so.” He says smugly. Hunter pushes him off his stool with a clatter that has me jumping and Nate roaring with laughter.

“Just one more thing.” I say before I get completely side-tracked by them all. “Who is Isabella and why would she make a scene out of telling me any of this? It doesn’t seem to me like this is that big a deal.”

The laughter and shenanigans cut off abruptly and it’s Hunter that answers in a cold, dead voice.

“Isabella is a member if the council. She likes to make our life as hard as possible. She was one of the original survivors that we saved from the government refuge. She would make a scene out of telling you because you will be only the third person we have brought back in the two years since we started going out. It has been over a year since we brought anyone back so she is going to be all over you. She also thinks our method of… operation is questionable and she loves nothing more than trying to make us uncomfortable.”

“And, you know, not many people would be as cool with us killing off the dregs of society as what you are Angel.” Chase points out helpfully. “She’s going to think she has some leverage over us now, with you in the mix. She will think that someone like you, someone from outside the community, couldn’t possibly understand all that we do and why. She’ll want to twist your view of us.”

“Add in the fact that she has been after Hunter since the first day she arrived at that camp, and she is going to be very interested in moving you away from us.” Nate adds in with a smirk in Hunters direction.

Hunter growls at Nate and swings me around to face him as I stiffen in his arms.

“Isabella is a power-hungry harpy, Angie. She wants us in her power and has for a long time. While we are not members of the council, the three of us have each been offered a seat multiple times and we have a heavy amount of sway in what happens within the community. And while it might be true that she has been trying to add me to her harem, sweetheart, there’s not a damn thing on this earth that could take me away from you, least of all another woman. I need you to believe that.” He tells me earnestly, leaning in to touch his forehead to mine as he stares into my eyes. When I take a deep breath and nod, he pulls me up into his arms and kisses me stupid. Plundering my mouth and making me forget my own name, let alone hers.

When he finally releases me, my legs are a little wobbly and he has to hold me up.

“Well, we could always just kill her if she makes any trouble for you Angel, seeing as you don’t seem to mind the odd justified murder…” Chase states nonchalantly, raising an eyebrow at me as I gape at him.I absolutely mind murder that is done in my name. I mean, not all murder done in my name. But some. Petty murder.Before I can say anything though, he bursts into laughter again and I follow suit, completely unsure if he was serious.

With the tension broken, Nate starts to gather plates and Chase steals me from Hunter’s arms to go check on the vegetable garden that he has been trying to weed. And just like that my worries disappear and I get lost in the day-to-day routine of our private slice of heaven. The problems with the council can wait for another day as I lounge, relax and heal for a few blissful days with my guys.

Chapter Twenty-six

On the sixth day I have had about as much as I can take of sitting around. Sure, the luxury of three hot meals a day and fresh warm water will never wear off again, but I’m starting to feel restless. This is the longest I have gone without running in fear, starving, or being beaten, since the apocalypse began. It’s a little unnerving.

I’ve taken to running laps around the perimeter of the property, always keeping well away from the fence as Hunter instructed, when I am alone. Although, I barely run alone. In fact, I barely do anything alone anymore. One or more of my guys are always with me, teasing me, touching me and nearly driving me to the point of madness, but still, every time I open my mouth to demand more, something holds me back. I lose my voice and I hate it. Each time I let them walk away I hate myself a little bit more. And I kind of hate them too. I wish they would push me over this inability to ask for what I want, just like they push me over pretty much any other doubts or fears Iexperience. But at the same time, I also am so damn thankful that they won’t.Basically, I’m a fucking mess and it’s making me want to do something stupid.

Absolutely fed up with my thoughts I stomp out to the front porch and tug on my boots. When Chase appears behind me and wraps his huge arms around my waist, I force myself to stiffen against him and step away.

“I just need a sec on my own.” I state, avoiding his eyes as I stare at my laced-up boots. I still see his muscles tense as he takes my words as an insult. I don’t know how to explain my thoughts without sounding like a whiny bitch though, so instead I soften my tone and ask “Please?”

Chase releases a big breath and nods his head, visibly relaxing himself before he responds. “Sure, Angel, whatever you need. Just take this with you if you’re gunna run alone.” he hands me his massive hunting knife that he pulls from… somewhere on his body. Honestly, he pulled it so quick I didn’t even see it and considering he’s wearing a pair of loose running shorts and a tight singlet I have no idea where he could have had it hidden in the first place. I blink at him as I take the knife slowly.

“I need to take a knife with me while I run inside the fence now? Really?”

“It’s that or you take me. Hunter’s rules Angel, take it up with him.” He gives me a devilish smile and I roll my eyes. Then I shrug as I tie the holster for the knife around my thigh, twice. The damn thing is massive on me. It’s more than a little surprising I didn’t think to strap my own weapons on before I left the library, so I’m actually kind of glad Chase offered his knife.Not that he needs to know that.

Once I’m done, I look up at him, cocking my hip to the side and raising my eyebrows to ask if he’s satisfied. He may say the rules are Hunter’s but I know damn well that each of the males in my life agree with them wholeheartedly.

Chase grins down at me before sweeping down to place a light kiss on my lips as one big hand gently trucks a stray hair behind my ear.

---