Page 7 of Creep (Vulture Hollow MC #2)

Creep

I’m in such deep shit. The only good thing about this whole fucked-up situation is that I managed to find him.

It’s fortunate I know these tunnels like the back of my hand, but they hold steep falls and other dangers that could have led to his demise.

I don’t even hold it against him that he attacked me.

I deserved it. Hurts like a motherfucker, but at least the screwdriver ended up in my arm not my neck.

I shouldn’t enjoy the distraught way he grips my hand with his shaky fingers, but I’m touched so rarely, I can’t help myself.

Neither of us says anything on the way back, but his chest keeps reverberating with dull sobs that make me itch to provide some kind of comfort. Then again, what do I know about comforting anyone?

When we reach home, I’m relieved, because now he will be able to lie in a comfortable bed, and eat something nice.

My captive goes straight for the bathroom and spends an inordinate amount of time washing his hands while I wait, standing awkwardly in the middle of the room until he pokes his pretty face out from behind the green door.

I know I should say something, but what?

I’ve never been good at that kind of thing.

The boy clears his throat and faces me with his arms crossed on his chest. He’s creating a barrier. Understandable. I’m fully prepared to spend the next few minutes in silence, then leave to lick my wounds somewhere else, when he speaks up.

“Are you… okay?”

I stare back into his blue eyes, and note to bring him a comb tomorrow.

“M-me?” It’s probably his way of asking why I’m still here.

“I… I’m sure you’re exhausted by what happened.

Get some rest,” I say and turn around, ready to flee, but his feet hit the floor, and then he’s once again holding onto my wrist.

“No, please, don’t leave me,” he rasps, his breath shallow as if he’s on the precipice of a panic attack.

I turn around, unsure what to do with him. I never intended any of this, but when that motherfucker shoved him around, all I could see was red. “I don’t intend to hurt you. This is temporary. Probably.” Ugh. Shouldn’t have added that last bit, I know that by the expression on his face.

His eyes remain red, and the skin under them is puffy, with a purplish tint, but now that I have the chance to see his face from up close, the shade of his irises draws me in, as if he brought a piece of the sky into my underground home.

“I-uh… that’s okay. I’m just scared. I did not want to hurt you,” he mumbles and, after a moment’s hesitation, reaches to the wound on my arm.

I shrug. “Don’t worry about it,” I say even though it just barely stopped bleeding a while ago.

“I brought you this. I was going to just leave it on the nightstand, but then you woke up, and…” I drift off.

This is why I don’t date. Holding my ground with enemies, sure.

Keeping my brothers in check, doable. Whatever I’m doing right now? Pure fucking agony.

I reach into my pocket and present him with the large smooth amethyst I got from our resident witch, Brigid. She told me this crystal is calming and promotes restful sleep, and going by the contents of my guest’s home, he likes that kind of thing.

His lips are plump and pink as he bites them, taking in my gift. “That’s… so thoughtful. Are you also into crystals?” he asks and gently takes the stone from my hand.

“Not really, but a friend of mine is.”

And all I can think about is that he knows .

He knows I like him. He knows I licked cum off his fingers.

I need to leave before I embarrass myself further, but he won’t have it and pulls me toward the armchair.

“I practically live in the store that sells crystals in my town. Marina is so kind and always keeps the best stuff for me, even the things that sell out fast. Do you know your birthstone?”

I can’t believe he’s talking to me instead of trying to stab me again, and I’m not sure what to do with that. “No.”

He only lets go once the backs of my knees hit the seat. “Oh, so when’s your birthday?” he asks and walks off. I stiffen, worried he might bolt for the door again, but instead he grabs a clean towel and a bottle of water, and returns to my side.

“June twenty-fifth.” I’m not sure what to make of him dabbing the towel on my wound. It’s… nice. I feel so exposed though. Am I even doing the conversation right? I usually don’t give a shit, but I want him to like me. Even if the circumstances are not playing in my favor.

He grins and cleans my wound with more water, as if he really cares whether I live or die.

“That’s a good month. Let’s see, there’s pearl, moonstone, and alexandrite.

The fun thing about that last one is that it changes color depending on the light.

I suppose that’s a bit like you,” he adds, meeting my gaze.

I swallow, because I don’t remember ever having a boy this handsome touch me, and I hope he steps back so I can discreetly place a cushion in my lap before my excitement becomes too obvious.

The last thing I want is for him to bear the discomfort of my attraction to him. This cave is my home, not a cell, but he doesn’t know that. To him it’s probably a serial killer’s lair.

“I… change color?” I frown at him and attempt to bite my nail but my captive gently pulls my hand down.

His lips crook. “You’re getting a bit pink right now. But you’re a Cancer, so it makes sense you’re very passionate about things.”

I feel my face burning. He’s taking so much time washing the dried blood off my forearm I could be fooled that he wants to touch me.

“Oh no, I’ve never been called ‘passionate’.

‘Emotionally stunted’? Sure.” I snort like it’s a joke, but is it?

Maybe it’s one of those ‘it’s funny because it’s true’ kind of jokes.

“What’s your star sign?” I ask to change the topic.

I don’t know much about those, but if he cares, so do I.

He puts away the towel and strokes my arm. “I’m a Pisces, and you were actually spot on with the amethyst, since that’s my birthstone. What are the odds, right?”

It feels as if something is blooming inside me. Moths flutter their wings in my stomach, and while I’m lightheaded, it’s not from blood loss. I smile. “One in twelve?”

I make a mental note to ask Brigid if Pisces and Cancer would make a good match. She’d know about those things.

He watches me with a small smile, then steps back and settles on the bed, watching me. While I’m adept enough at reading body language to know he remains wary, he’s no longer frightened of my presence. “I’m Angel, by the way. And what’s your name?”

“Cree…” Really? I take a deep breath, torn between telling him my real name and the nickname everyone uses.

I took it on, and made it mine for years now, but could he not know me as something else?

There’s no one around to tell him otherwise.

“Cree…” No. I can’t do it. It’s ridiculous.

I know what I am. I clear my throat. “Creep. Just call me Creep,” I say and get up, because I’ve overstayed my welcome.

This might be my home, but it’s not his fault that he ended up here.

He shoots back to his feet too. “Um…. am I boring you? We can change the topic. Like… why do you live in a cave with scary birds? What are the birds? Are they your pets, like the spider? It’s a very cute spider!”

I stop, halfway to the door. His voice is so nice, but I do notice it got a higher pitch at the end.

He’s nervous. Who wouldn’t be around me?

When you lurk in the shadows, you get to hear what people really think about you.

But I also don’t know how to fix this. He’s a witness to my crime.

What am I supposed to do? Let him take the stand and end up in prison for life? My club wouldn’t have it.

I try to focus on the question at hand. “No. They’re vultures. Some of them sleep in the caves. If by any chance you end up near them again, don’t approach them, they are dangerous.”

He pales and steps closer. “They won’t get in here, will they? I destroyed one of their eggs. It was an accident,” he adds, as if that wasn’t obvious. He doesn’t seem to be someone who’d hurt anyone or anything just because.

My shoulders sag and I shake my head. “No, even if, by any chance, one ventured into the tunnels, the door would keep it out. They’re not vengeful, you’re safe.” I want to stroke his pretty blond hair so badly I ball my hands into fists to stop myself.

“That’s good. I was really ungrateful when I attacked you, by the way,” he says, scratching his arm. “You did save me from Adam. He wasn’t my favorite person on the planet,” he adds with a chuckle.

I smile so rarely I’m not even sure I’m doing it right. “He did become the vultures’ favorite person for a while.” I know my joke didn’t land when Angel cocks his head at me with a curious expression. “Because they ate him.”

I know I’ve overdone it when his pretty blue eyes widen. I guess that’s my cue to go.

I turn on my heel, mind overcome by a storm, but before I can touch the door handle, Angel collides with me and tightens his arms around my torso. “No. Don’t go. Don’t leave me here! The tunnels are terrifying, and the lamps can run out of battery.”

My stomach does that happy backflip again despite the pain in my arm when I raise it.

“I… um… I’ve got spare batteries,” I say flatly, unsure what to make of it.

My heart beats ever faster, but there’s a disconnect between my body and brain.

Not with my dick though. His closeness is making me hard already, which will only embarrass us both.

“I don’t want to be alone. I’m scared,” Angel whispers against my shoulder, and a full-body shudder shakes him as I stiffen, unsure how to handle a situation like this. My club president, Prophet, would know, but I can’t tell him about Angel.

I swallow hard, trying to be logical. “Will it not be more frightening with me here?”

“No,” he replies almost immediately, and one of his hands travels up my torso, settling over my furiously beating heart. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he’s doing it on purpose.

“O-okay. But I’ll need to leave in the morning.”

What the fuck am I getting myself into?