Across the Vanishing Sky (Starlight Grove, #1)(104)
“Dex?” she mumbled.
“Yeah, Hellion?”
“Will you stay with me?”
Fuck me. She’d never asked that before.
“Yeah. I’ll stay. Just give me a second to check the doors and turn off the lights. Okay?”
Her eyes were still closed, but little lines appeared between her brows. “You’ll come back?”
A knife to the goddamned chest. And then I made a promise I knew I shouldn’t. But I did anyway. “I’ll always come back, Hellion. As long as you want me to.”
“Okay, Buttercup.” And then her whole body went slack, and her breathing deepened. She was asleep.
I couldn’t move. Not at first. Because walking away felt like a betrayal. Even when I knew I’d return.
A thought of the douchebag finally spurred me into action. I moved as fast and quietly as possible, checking every door and window and the alarm system, then shut off the lights and moved for the weapon I needed.
I snatched my laptop from the coffee table and strode back toward the bedroom. Brae lay curled on her side, deep breaths fluttering the hair that had fallen across her face. I eased onto the bed, careful not to wake her.
As soon as I settled, I pulled my phone out of my pocket. I brought up my brothers’ group chat and started typing.
Me
How do you feel about a revenge mission?
Maverick changed the group name to 50 Shades of Slay.
Maverick
We ride at dawn. Who we fuckin’ with?
I shook my head, wanting to laugh but not being able to get there. Mav didn’t need to know the why, just the who, because he trusted me not to ask for help unless the cause was just. And that kind of trust was a gift.
Kol
Change it back. What’s up, Dex?
Maverick
You change it back, Gramps. Oh, wait, you still have an AOL email and pay your bills through the mail.
Wylder
Mav, not the time.
Wylder changed the group name to Hot Sauce and Hot Goss.
Wylder
What’s going on?
Me
Brae’s asshole ex showed outside the Boot this afternoon. Put fucking bruises on her arm and wants to take Owen. I want him buried.
Orion
Name.
Oh, hell. If Orion was in, Vincent was a dead man walking. But I didn’t give a single fuck. He’d earned what was about to come his way.
Me
Vincent Faber. Wealthy family from Rhode Island.
Kol
Want me to tail him? I’ve got off tomorrow. I can put in some man-hours while Skylar is at camp.
Maverick
You’re letting her go back?
Kol
Waylon and Blaze are joining the counselor ranks.
Wylder
Sweet baby Jesus. They have no idea what they’re in for.
Kol
Tail?
Kol was coming through with his vow to have Brae’s back, and it felt damn good to know my brother was on her side. They all were.
Me
Please. Send me everything. I’m going to hit the digital trail. See what I can find. But Brae needs a lawyer. Anyone know someone good?
Orion
I might. Give me a day.
Maverick
I’m sorry, YOU know someone? You never leave Twisted Oak Ranch, and you don’t talk.
Orion sent Mav a middle finger emoji.
Maverick
That’s uncalled for. I was just curious.
Me
You’re just an asshole, you mean. Thanks, Rion. Let me know what you find.
Wylder
You’re going to bury him, aren’t you?
Me
I’m going to ruin everything good in his life and expose every dirty little secret he has. And after he’s dead and buried, I’m going to set that grave on fucking fire.
Maverick
God, I love it when you’re on a vengeance streak.
Maverick changed the name of the group to 50 Shades of Slay.
Kol
MAVERICK.
Maverick
Peace out, bitches. I got a douchebag to fuck with.
And fuck with him, he would. Just like the rest of my brothers would do their parts.
At the end of the day, Vincent Faber would never breathe easy again. Just like he deserved.
43
BRAEDYN