Page 13

Chapter Thirteen

Vivian

I slowly blink my eyes open and just lay here staring up at the ceiling. The sun hasn’t even risen yet but I’m wide awake and know I need to get out of here and get my head back in the game. I slowly sit up and try to be as quiet as I can. I look around and can’t help but smile at the sight of Archer slumped in the single seater. I look to the other side and my heart melts at the sight of Hayze curled up on the sofa with a smile on his face even as he sleeps. I drop my gaze to the ground and my whole body tenses at the sight of Ezekiel sleeping on the floor beside the sofa I passed out on. But it’s not the sight of him on the ground, it's the gun resting beside him that has my breath hitching.

Ezekiel Tempest has always been the one with his guard up, much like my twin. Ez doesn’t smile freely like Hayze. Archer may be wound tight but even he can let loose and relax. Last night was the first time I have ever seen Ez so unguarded and not walled off. He let me see the real him, they all did and that makes leaving them so much fucking harder. I slowly stand and tip toe over Ezekiel. I snatch one of their discarded shirts off the floor and snag Archer’s shorts as well. I quickly pull them on and tie the pants to keep them from falling down. My hair is a tangled mess so I just pile it on top of my head and rock the messy bun look.

As I make my way toward the front door, I pause just to take one last look at them. The three of them are such polar opposites but yet somehow, they have forged a bond that will surpass the test of time. They are brothers in every sense of the word. I never thought any of them would ever bat an eye at me, they are gods amongst us but yet, the three of them want me !

I had all three of them inside me!

I can still feel the ghost of their cocks. I’m sore but in the most delicious way. I give myself a minute to dream about what it would be like to wake up to the three of them every morning. I know it’s not conventional but fuck, I want that life. I sigh, then turn and flee. I need to finish what I started back home so I can have a chance at discovering if this is something that we could really have or was it a one-time deal?

I quietly open the door and close it behind me, smiling when I don’t hear them coming after me. I turn around and the smile instantly vanishes from my face at the sight of my brother leaning against his favorite car. That Hellcat and his Challenger Demon were the loves of his life until he met Nova. I dart my gaze around, trying to find an escape but grit my teeth because I know even if I tried to run he would catch me.

“Don’t run,” he pleads. I swing my gaze back to him and study my twin, he looks the same but different. He stands there with two coffee cups in his signature dark wash jeans, Converse and plain black tee. His hair is a tousled mess and his eyes are bloodshot, he clearly didn’t sleep last night.

“How long have you been here?” I ask as I slowly make my way toward him. His eyes instantly trail down my body, the tight set of his jaw tells me he doesn’t like the sight of me in his friends clothes but tough fucking luck.

“Long enough,” he clips out and hands me a cup. I eye it warily, he rolls his eyes. “It’s a caramel latte with two sugars, full cream and extra chocolate on the top.” I roll my lips over my teeth to keep from smiling. Vox has always hated how I take my coffee but the fact he still remembers my order warms my heart. “Come on, I’ll drive you back to the dorms.” I open my mouth to protest but he holds a hand up, stopping me. “You gave those three a chance, the least you can do is give me one as well.”

My brows raise. “I didn’t give them shit, they kidnapped me!”

He pins me with a deadpan look, then scoffs. “Yeah and you look so distraught about that,” he mocks then climbs inside the car. I growl and stomp my bare foot.

“Fucking asshole,” I mutter as I round the car and climb in beside him. He doesn’t start the car, he just sits there gripping the wheel and staring out the windshield. I can tell he is warring within himself about something. I remain silent and wait.

“I need you to answer me honestly.”

“Ask me what you want, Vox,” I say tiredly as I lean back in my seat and sip my coffee. I swallow the moan that threatens to escape me at the sweet taste.

“Do I need to go in that house and beat the shit out of my three best friends?” I choke on my coffee and pound a fist against my chest as I try to breathe. My brother just sits there and doesn’t move a muscle. When I get myself under control, I turn and glare at him.

“What the fuck?” I snap.

He slowly turns his head toward me but doesn’t release the wheel from his death grip, his eyes burning with anger. I can tell it is taking everything inside him not to break into that house and murder his friends.

“I’m not fucking stupid, Vivian, and even if I was, the hickey on your neck is a dead fucking giveaway about what you and… they did.” He shudders in disgust.

“ Them ?” I push.

His eyes narrow. “They aren’t as slick as they fucking think. Nova may have put it together before I did but I know they all have… intentions with you.”

“ Intentions ?” The humor is clear in my voice.

“Don’t be a brat, do I need to murder them or not?”

Tears prick the backs of my eyes, even after a year apart my brother is still willing to fight for me and that means more than he knows. I shake my head. “No.”

“Then why are you doing the walk of shame at five in the morning?”

I balk at my twin. “I am not.”

His face blanks. “Ah, bullshit!” he mocks.

“Start the fucking car, Vox,” I huff out.

“The second I start this bitch they are going to wake up and come running out here, you ready for them to chase you?” His question floors me for a second.

“Why do you sound so happy about that?”

He exhales loudly and his shoulders deflate. “Because they finally found their balls.” I snort but bite down on my tongue so I don’t blurt something crass out. Vox’s gaze is fierce as he stares at me. “They didn’t come to me for permission or even ask if they could date you, they told me. They didn’t give me an option to fight them on this. They are choosing you over me, Vivian.” My jaw slackens and my brows draw in. “Now, I’m going to ask you again, sister, are you ready for them to chase?”

“I—I…” I clamp my mouth closed, unsure how to answer that.

“I can only hold them off for so long, Vivi. Those three won’t let you walk away now… after…” Disgust is clear in his features. “Look, just make sure you are ready for this because the Filthy Few broke up a year ago and now suddenly you wind up here and those three revived it to capture you. Don’t think they are above playing dirty because they aren’t.”

I mull over his words for a while and I’m grateful for the fact he doesn’t rush me or push me to make my mind up.

“I have to go home today.” Vox shakes his head, clearly not happy with my answer but he doesn’t argue. They may not know it but I am doing this for all of us. Vox was right, the second he starts the car and begins to pull out of the driveway I see the front door fly open in the side mirror. Archer, Hayze and Ezekiel all stand there staring after us with varying looks of shock, confusion and sadness and it pains me to be the cause of that reaction.

“What are you really doing at the Saints?” Vox’s question startles me.

“What I’m supposed to do,” I answer in a clipped tone.

“I call bullshit. You didn’t seriously think I wouldn’t be keeping tabs on you, did you?” I grind my teeth.

“Stay out of it, Vox. I mean it.”

“Stay out of what exactly?”

“Nice try, douchebag. I mean it, you need to stay the fuck away from Hollow Hills.”

He glances at me for a second before focusing back on the road. “I would say you have a week tops before those three come after you, Vivian. Wrap up whatever it is and be ready because I doubt I will be able to throw my weight around with them this time.”

I shift in my seat to face him. “You’re okay… with this… with me and them?” His eyes close for a second as he inhales sharply.

“You want my honest answer?”

“Yes!”

“No, I’m not okay with it.” I deflate and drop my gaze to my lap. “But, I’ve lost you once already and I won’t risk that happening again.” I lift my gaze back to him to find him looking directly at me. “When they come back to Hollow Hills to take you, I’ll be with them. I’ll help them and deal with whatever this thing is as long as it means I get my sister back.” His words shouldn’t inspire hope inside me but they do. I wish I could confide in my brother but I can’t risk it not with so much uncertainty inside The Brotherhood.

Vox pulls into the parking lot outside my dorm and I sigh at the sight of six men stationed outside the building. Vox gruffs at the sight of them but remains silent. When he kills the engine, I don’t get out, we just sit here silently for a while drinking our coffees. When students begin to appear I know my time is up, I have to let go of my brother once more and finish this thing.

“Thank you,” I whisper as I reach for the door handle.

“Vivian?” I peer back at him over my shoulder, the worry lines that mar his face kills me. I never meant to hurt him.

“Yeah?”

“I’ll always have your back. I walked away a year ago because I knew it's what you wanted—needed. But, I can see it in your eyes…”

“See what?” I push.

“The fear. You’re terrified and it’s taking everything inside me to not keep you here. I need you to tell me you’re going to be okay. I need to know you will be okay because I can’t… I can’t fucking lose you, Vivi.” The anguish in his voice is what breaks me. I shift and lean over the console to wrap my arms around him. He holds me close and tight like he doesn’t want to let go.

“I’m okay, I got this,” I whisper as I pull back and force a smile for his benefit, then climb out of the car but his words have me pausing for a second.

“From the womb to the tomb, sister.” I don't respond or look back as I make my way toward my building. The guards all nod at me but say nothing about the state I’m in.

I stand outside the boardroom, waiting for them to call me in. Nerves thrum through me, it took me months to uncover the truth and now that the finish line is in sight I can’t help but feel like everything is going to blow up in my face. When I finally checked my phone earlier, I had numerous missed calls from David. Another letter and box. I’m fucking scared to find out what’s in the box after the last one.

I need to find out who the fuck is behind these letters. I have three suspects.

Thomas.

Nexus.

The Butcher.

Call me crazy, but I would rather it be one of the first two. They are familiar and reachable but Alexander isn’t. Everyone has heard the rumors. He claims to be innocent of the crime he was accused of and hey, he might be, but he sure as fuck was no saint. He was the head of one of the deadliest crews in the nation and since his arrest, the Denver Kings have essentially vanished. I’m pulled from my thoughts when the double doors open and a man wearing a pair of plain jeans and jumper appears. I gasp, I recognize him! His blond hair styled roguishly and his blue eyes shine with warmth.

“Mrs. Tempest?” It still shocks me to be addressed as Mrs. Tempest . I stand and smile as I make my way toward him with my hand outstretched, he wraps his larger one around mine.

“Call me Vivian, please,” I say with a smile.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Crue Hastings,” he says with a nod and releases my hand as he leads me inside. Crue Hasting was drafted into the NFL and had an amazing fucking career in the league. I pause in the entryway when I spot Dawson sitting there beside a mirror image of himself—his father. Including Crue and Dawson there are only six people in the room and I was led to believe there were more members of the board. Each of them stands from their seats and makes their way toward me with their hands outstretched. I recognize another two of them, Corvin Williams and Saint Morgan, both of them were in the NFL as well.

They’re all dressed in plain clothes which makes me feel overdressed in my pants suit.

“Darius Lockhart,” the first guy says as I shake his hand. The next one is Saint and I swoon. I had a crush on him years ago. I beam when Corvin Williams shakes my hand.

“My brother is a huge fan,” I blurt. Corvin smiles and ducks his head in thanks. The next to step up is Dawson’s father, Beckett Dawson. After the introductions are made, Crue leads me around the table and pulls a seat out for me. I look at Dawson feeling nervous but he shoots me a reassuring smile. Crue rounds the table to join the others. The six of them sit at one end of the oval table. I sit alone at the other end.

Saint reaches for the folder in front of him and opens it. He hands the others a piece of paper each, then focuses on me.

“Mrs. Tempest?—”

I cut him off. “Vivian, please.”

He nods. “Vivian, I must give you credit, you are very persistent.” I fight not to smile.

“Our wife is the reason we are taking this meeting.” I gape at Crue then dart my gaze between him and Saint, he said their wife .

“Katie was impressed with the way you hacked her system.” I bite my lip and smile sheepishly at Beckett.

“I would be lying if I said I was sorry,” I admit, which has all of them chuckling.

“Impressing our wives isn’t an easy feat, Vivian. The fact you managed to impress all four of them means they see something in you we don’t.” My confidence waivers at Corvin’s decree. “We’re all curious about why it was so important you met with us specifically.”

“What makes you think it was you five I wanted to meet with and not the board?” I retort.

“You may be able to hack Katie’s system but she is better and counter hacked you without you even knowing. My wife doesn’t like it when another woman snoops around my background and tries to force her way into a meeting with me and her brother. You have ten minutes to explain yourself or this meeting is over and you will never get another chance,” Darius bites out. I look to my only friend in the room. Dawson nods for me to continue so I take a deep breath and do just that. I put my bad bitch hat on and channel all the big dick energy I have—if I can take the three alpha males like I did last night, I can take these guys.

“Okay, can I be frank?” I ask.

“Fuck formalities, Vivian. Give it to them straight or they will get bored and stop listening,” Dawson says. I nod my thanks.

“Okay. I know that you five are the owners of BCD’S?—”

“That isn’t a secret.” Saint cuts in to add.

“But it was at the start. The three of you managed to funnel from your investment in the stock market into a small startup that led to you owning a multi-billion dollar resort franchise.”

“Your point?” Darius clips out.

“My point is that I need to know how you did that.”

They all share a loaded look before Beckett eyes me and the scrutiny with which he assesses me has me fighting not to fidget. “Why would we tell you that?” he asks.

“The only reason I am disclosing this information is because I received the signed NDA from Alexa Williams a week ago.”

“Nothing you say will leave this room regardless of an NDA,” Corvin tacks on.

“Upon my investigation I found that some of you faced a similar problem as I currently do. I have a… company that I need to funnel money from without my… partners knowing and put it into a company under my name.” I cringe at how vague that sounds but I can’t give them more details than I already have. I have the basics down but I need to funnel the rest out so there is nothing left and the accounting team will know if I drain all the accounts.

They remain silent for a long moment studying me, then they begin speaking in hushed tones while I sit here trying to strain my hearing but still can’t manage to work out what they are saying. When they break apart, they all face me with serious looks.

“I can see here upon Katie’s investigation into you that your twin brother and his three friends transferred here.” I grind my teeth and force myself to nod, I don’t want to involve any of them in this. Corvin smirks then continues. “You get your brother and his three friends to agree to finish out their schooling here at CHU and bring our team to the championship four years in a row. You have a deal.” I balk at him.

“We also need Ezekiel Tempest, who I am assuming is your husband, to join the team as our star wide receiver,” Crue adds.

“How do you know how they play?” I ask.

“We don’t just take any transfers onto our team at CHU. Hours of tapes have been watched before we select. Coach may be the face of the team but make no mistake, Vivian, the five of us are the ones who give the final nod on who joins and the fact my son thinks your brother is good enough to take over his place as starting QB, that means something.” I swing my gaze to Dawson, I had no idea he even played football let alone that he is the fucking quarterback!

I open my mouth but no words come out, I can’t promise them anything. I want to lie and say yes to it all but if all of this turns to shit, then I can’t guarantee that the guys will do anything to help me.

“I can’t promise you that,” I admit quietly, feeling utterly defeated. “I want to sit here and lie and tell you that they will do as I say but I can’t.”

“Why not?” Saint asks.

I shrug. “Because one day I hope to attend CHU as a student and lying to the owners doesn’t seem like the best way to start. Thank you all for your time,” I say as I stand.

“Wait.” I still half way out of my chair and look at Darius. “Sit down.” I do as he says. “The fact you didn’t bullshit us is the reason we will help. If you had agreed to our terms we would never have given the information you needed.”

I gape at him. “Are you serious?” I rasp out.

“Yes. Now, get your phone out and start recording.” I do as Crue says and sit back and listen while they explain everything. This is one of the final pieces I needed! I suddenly feel like I might actually be able to pull this shit off.