Page 271 of Outlaws of Tulsa

She was happy to see me.

Overjoyed.

They all were.

I still can’t believe it. That I’m here, in my childhood home, feeling welcomed and loved. It’s hard to merge these two worlds—being Chase and Dragon. Mom says I have no choice now. She’s not letting me go no matter what.

My heart hurts, but I also feel so fucking happy. I’m buzzing with pent-up energy. I need to expel it in some way. I’d love nothing more than to shred Night Giant to little pieces, but that’s not an option…yet.

Right now I have one option.

Him.

Cove motherfucking Gale.

“I think we’re going to call it a night,” I grunt out, faking a yawn.

Cove rolls his eyes at me, always a sassy bastard, but stands as well. My parents take turns fussing over me and then my brothers each give me a hug. Once we’re done with the affectionate shit that I’ve apparently really missed, I clutch onto the back of Cove’s neck, guiding him through the house to my old room.

“I can honestly say when I woke up this morning, this is not where I expected to end up,” Cove says. “Seriously, how are you not freaking out?”

We stop in front of my closed bedroom door and I release my hold on him.

“Iamfreaking out,” I admit, frowning.

He takes my hand in his and squeezes. For as much as I love when Cove is super bitchy, I also like this tender side of him. It makes me feel things I have no business feeling, but Jesus, does it feel good to actuallyfeelagain.

“We’re going to get Mitch back,” Cove assures me, “and you’ll have your family again too.” He grins at me and then stands on his toes to brush a soft kiss on my lips. “I’m happy for you.”

I capture his jaw in my strong grip, backing him up against my door. “And I’mhappyto see you.” To prove my point, I grind my body against his, letting him feel how hard my dick is. It’s been stiff for him all day. I don’t understand why I’m so damn addicted to Cove, but I am. I really fucking am.

My lips crash to his and he moans against my mouth. His hands are greedy, tugging at my shirt and pulling me to him. I suck in a gasp when his fingertips glide over my abs. His touch is addictive.

“We gonna fuck in the hallway?” I ask, nipping at his bottom lip.

“We’re freaks, but not that freaky.” He bites me back.

I grin against his mouth. “Go before I do something regrettable out here.”

He smirks but manages to find the doorknob. The door creaks on its hinges as he pushes backward into my room. As soon as the scent of my old Abercrombie cologne hits my nostrils, I’m flooded with bittersweet memories. Cove tugs me into the room and closes the door behind us.

“Whoa.” He lets out a whistle. “That’s not creepy or anything.”

She was telling the truth. Everything is as it was. I mean, the bed’s been made and it’s obvious the cleaning lady has been in to dust, but all my stuff is still here. My bookbag sits on the desk chair, still open with books tucked inside. Pictures of me and my friends are tacked all over the place.

The room blurs and I hate the way my heart clenches painfully in my chest.

I lost all this. In the blink of an eye. Because of one stupid fucking mistake. I believed a predator. Walked right into a trap. Told me I could be a model. I fell for that shit and lost…everythingbecause of it.

I land on my knees hard and dig my fingers into my jean-clad thighs, trying desperately to suck in more air. No such luck. My lungs are on fire as I choke, trying like hell to breathe. Everything spins and the room goes dark. Tears streak down my cheeks like rivers of regret.

“Shhh,” a voice whispers. “You’re okay. Everything is okay. Breathe, Dragon. Breathe.”

Someone sobs and it reminds me of the boy who woke up in a warehouse, chained to a pipe. Lost. Terrified. Alone.

Soft hands cradle my cheeks, rubbing the wetness on them. I manage to make air flow into my lungs and gasp for it.

“That’s it,” he murmurs. “I’ve got you.”

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