Page 13 of Heavy

It’s three in the morning and she’s passed out in the guest room. Even if she weren’t sleeping like a rock, I’m quiet enough to have slipped in without disturbing her.

The laptop is propped up against the bedside table, plugged in. She’s oddly trusting, but I suppose for a girl like her—who seems quite privileged—being overly cautious doesn’t seem necessary. She quite literally begged to stay with me here. Living with her parents couldn’t be that bad if she’s willing to take this risk. I could be a serial rapist for all she knows, or even a convicted murderer…

My aim is to scare her, not do any sort of permanent damage. I may loathe my brother, but I’m not here to hurt him. I’m a monster stitched from pure evil, and the threads that bind me can never be severed or burned. That doesn’t make me incapable of control.

She’s predictable:Calista.Does she not know that facial recognition technology, especially when the device is shoved close enough to your face, is extremely dangerous. And don't even get me started on fingerprint identification. Do people not realize how easy it is to sever a finger? I suppose they don't, at least not those who are considerednormal.

After flashing my light in her face and letting the laptop unlock with her very pretty features, I settle onto the couch to set up my phone. The reason for my eagerness is waiting in my email—two separate messages. I don’t even bother opening the first one. I immediately download the second.

“Please, Daddy…”

Fucking hell.

Just as it was the moment her knees hit the floor and those words spilled from her pouty lips, my cock is tenting my boxers. This one is for me and only me. I might even threaten to use it against her if she keeps trying to touch me. Within the span of barely a week, she’s attempted to do so nearly a dozen times.

All acts of innocence or frustration, but still: no one touches me. Not even her. When my brother grabbed my shoulder the day I was released, I had to dig deep to find a thread of restraint strong enough to avoid breaking his wrist. He doesn’t understand, and neither does this… slice of peach pie. But she will.

I take a moment to snoop on her laptop, focusing mainly on her social media. Facebook is clearly her least-used platform, while Instagram shows she has a couple thousand followers, and TikTok has even more. Her inbox is flooded with messages, mostly from boys. They’re read but rarely answered. I’m not about to sift through all hundred to see who catches her interest.

Moving to her photos, I’m hoping she’s a dirty little slut and has nudes stored. Unfortunately, there are no revealing photos. Instead, I find a few snapshots of her with what I assume is a friend, along with some of my brother posing with a woman sporting bleach-blonde hair. Given her green eyes and the similar button nose, it’s clear that this woman is Calista’s mother.

Before closing the lid to the laptop, I lock it, then grab my phone. I don’t hit play, but just stare at her face looking up at me. She is definitely beautiful, but quite the conundrum. Take the piercings from her nipples, I’d guess virgin.

That, however, definitely is not the case. I don’t need to be told she’s spread her legs wide for some, or a dozen, boys. Those lips have seen a cock or two—maybe even pussy—no doubt.

I tap the phone and let the video play for a few seconds. Her hands glide to her thighs, sliding down to wipe away the sweat that’s probably collected there.

“I need to stay here. Please, Daddy, let me stay with you.”

A low, frustrated growl rolls straight from my chest. She’s so fucked.

The lake stretches out before me, quiet and calm, which surprises me given that summer is here. It’s private and I’d expect the other families with properties nearby to have boats, parties, or some kind of gatherings. The water is expansive enough that I can’t see any houses, but lush greenery hugs the shoreline all around.

I let out a sigh, tucking my hands into my pockets and leaning to the side, savoring the warmth of the sun on my bare chest.

“I had imagined you’d befar, faraway from this damn state when you finally got out.” His voice resonates, accompanied by the sound of footsteps on the wooden dock as he approaches. “I didn’t think it possible for you to build out further, Ronan, damn.”

I don’t turn right away to acknowledge him as he comes to stand beside me, but when our shoulders brush, I shift my gaze. He has grown his hair out and has it pulled back in a slight ponytail. I warned him of doing that in prison. Men like handles.

Ken is freshly thirty-two, and while I think his crime didn’t warrant being locked up with someone like me, I’m grateful for it. He was released two years ago and has been in my life since. He visited me as often as he could after his release, bringing along the boys and Mia.

“Good to see you.” I lift my fist to him, and he meets it with his own in a quick, solid punch.

His big grin follows his laugh. “Is it now?”

Before responding, I roll my eyes. “I’m glad you didn’t change your phone number, I’d have been pissed if I had to track you down.”

He laughs through a snort before tucking his hands into his cargo shorts. “I’d have let you know. Sorry for not being there when you got out, man. I got the days fucked.”

I shrug my shoulders. “All good. Honestly hadn’t expected anyone, so when mybig bropicked me up, needless to say I was shocked.” Almost simultaneously we square our shoulders to one another.

Ken is more compact than I am, his physique honed from years of dealing drugs. That discipline hasn’t faded; he still looks fucking good. Considering he has the connections to deposit the money he did into my account, I’d wager he’s slipped right back into that world.

“The offer still stands.” He winks one of his hooded eyes at me. “Got a free room, you’ll just have to deal with the rascals. You understand.”

I nod. “I’m good for now. Going to get some shit done here before I move south, maybe Texas.”

“Don’t do that.” He laughs nervously and takes a step toward me. “You’ll kill someone there without a second thought.” He juts his shoulder toward me and wiggles his brows. “Tell me about the family reunion.”

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