Page 39

Chapter Seven

Jolie

Trace followed me up to my room and is now laying on my bed watching me get ready for the party at Colt’s. Standing in front of the mirror, I give myself a once-over—faux leather pants that tie at the front, paired with a red midriff top and black boots, smoky eyes and red lips topping off the outfit.

Trace sits up slightly, using his elbows to hold himself. “You look nice.”

“I look hot,” I correct, causing him to smile at me.

“Ever so modest,” he says with a chuckle.

Kai bursts through the door, dressed and ready to go. He looks good in his black pair of pants, a white button-down shirt—with the first few buttons undone showing off his tattoos—and a black jacket the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. His dark hair is styled, but still looks like he just rolled out of bed.

“Wow, you look smoking hot,” he gushes. “Lucky it’s just us going to this party. Chester would burst a blood vessel otherwise. I heard the little argument and then the fucking. Now I’m all sorts of turned on and need to get so fucking high that I can forget about it.”

I laugh at his theatrics. “There was no fucking.”

“Oh, not you,” he says with a wink. “Chester and Creed. I was tempted to join in.”

“Well, let’s go then,” I mutter, a little disappointed that Creed didn’t invite me to watch. How warped is that?

We all head downstairs and into the kitchen to find Brennan working on his laptop, and the clicking of the keys is the only sound in the room. He looks up as we enter. “I spoke to Mum and Dad about you moving in here and they understand. Also, Petra is coming here to work while they are away. She has been with the family for a while and since we’ll be here, Mum wanted her to still have work. Plus, she’s worried that you won’t eat well in a house full of men.”

“Tell her I said thank you.”

Creed and Chester both amble their way into the kitchen. Chester avoids making eye contact with me, but Creed walks past, stopping to place a kiss on my cheek.

“Nice ink,” he whispers.

“Where’s yours?” I spit with more venom than needed. What the fuck?! I’m not jealous of them. He lifts his arm, and I can see they’ve done some shading around a skull near his armpit.

“Are you jealous, Tenshi?”

“Jealous, no. A little disappointed that I didn’t get to watch, yes.”

“If you had watched, you would’ve wanted to join in, and Chester has no self-control. We don’t need any bodies piling up right now when we have better things to do. You’re also on a sex ban until we can trust that you’re not just using your body against us.”

I laugh so hard at that statement that tears run down my face.

A sex ban, really?

“In your dreams, all of you. If I want to screw someone, I will. You can’t stop me.”

They all glare at me and the air in the room chokes with tension.

Chester brings his hands down hard on the table. “Go ahead and do it. I fucking dare you. How many innocent lives are you willing to risk?”

“Ahhh, I hate you!” I throw my hands in the air and storm from the room as fury burns in my stomach.

Marching out to the car, I hop in and slam the door as loud as possible. Forgetting I don’t have the keys, instead I beat my fists on the dash and mutter curses directed at all the assholes still inside the house. Kai exits the house shortly afterwards, followed by Brennan. The lights flash on his car as he disarms it—I guess he’s driving us to the party.

Jumping out of Kai’s car, I stomp over to Brennan’s, not giving them a chance to say anything as I get in the front passenger seat. Kai slips into the back and mutters to himself, while digging through his pocket.

“Here,” Kai says, and I look back. He hands me a small bottle and a packet of cigarettes.

“What’s this for?”

“The bottle has a dropper. Put one drop into any of your drinks and it will help you get drunk. The smokes will get you high. You wanted to get wasted and tonight you can.”

“Responsibly, of course,” Brennan adds.

“Yes, Dad,” Kai replies.

Brennan turns around in the driver’s seat and whacks him in the head. “I mean it, Kai. The last time she got wasted she vomited all over my damn shoes. Also, we don’t need Chester to fly off the handle again,” he says as he pulls out of the driveway and onto the road.

“Chester can suck it. You can’t really expect me to only sleep with you guys. That’s insanity, seeing as how I barely tolerate you right now. I can’t get close to Mr Z unless I follow his orders, and he wants me to get along with my team. So here I am, being a good little girl.”

“I can’t force you to do anything, Jolie, and I also can’t speak for everyone else. All I can do is warn you that messing with their emotions is a dangerous game, and not one you want to play.”

“I can handle myself. I had to for years.”

Brennan’s grip on the steering wheel tightens. However, he doesn’t say anything as we pull up to Colt’s temporary house. Both Kai and I exit the vehicle. I may slam the door shut a little more forcibly than I intended, but damnit, they really know how to ruin my night before it even gets started.

“Call me when you’re ready to come home,” Brennan says out his window, before driving away.

Kai casually lights one of his smokes as we walk up the stairs, then he lets us in. The party is already in full swing, and with so many people here already, it’s hard to tell where one person ends and another begins.

“Peaches” by Justin Bieber thumps through the house. Kai sways to the music, encouraging me to dance, but I want nothing to do with it—he gets the hint as I walk away from him. Kai yells over the music that he’s going to find us some drinks, and I push my way through the crowd, hunting for Sinclair, Jimmie, and Danika. They texted already, saying they were here and sitting outside.

I snort at the scene I find as I walk into what looks to be a game room. There’s a pool table in the centre, a bar to the left of the entry, and plenty of seating. My friends are seated at a table, and Danika is cheering on Jimmie, who is trying to arm wrestle Blayne. They must’ve moved since the last time I talked to them.

Summer is also at the table, laughing. Her guys are playing pool, but I can see the way one of them is always watching her—Khale to be exact.

“Jolie, you’re finally here!” Danika yells excitedly.

Smiling at her, I take a seat next to Summer. “I’m sorry for ignoring you at school. I was being a bitch.”

“It’s all good, Jolie. I understand why. I just hope we’re good now.”

“Not forgiven,” Khale says, now standing behind her.

“I don’t care if you forgive me, Tattoos. I was talking to Summer.”

He takes a step towards me, anger flaring in his eyes; I really don’t get what this guy’s problem is.

“Khale, I wouldn’t do that if I were you. If you thought Laughn was a threat, you have no idea what Chester is capable of. I wouldn’t be surprised if the crazy bastard is peeping through a window,” Kai says, handing me a drink. “Already dosed up for you.”

Taking a sip of the fruity drink, I screw up my nose. This shit is so damn sweet, but he just downs his in one mouthful.

“Nice to see everything with you and Kai is okay,” Sinclair says.

“I wouldn’t say it’s great, but we’re working on it.”

“Hey, sweet cheeks,” Colt says to Sinclair as he takes a seat beside her. “Change your mind about me yet?”

Her face goes bright red, the flush creeping down her neck and across her chest. I actually think she might like him. “Not a chance in hell.”

“Well, they don’t fuck in heaven, so I still have a chance.”

“That doesn’t even make sense, dipshit,” Blayne says after slamming Jimmie’s arm to the table.

“The guys want to go do shots outside, but come find me later if you want,” Summer says to me as she extracts herself from her chair. Khale bends down, and she jumps onto his back, then he runs from the room.

It’s a vast difference seeing him interact with her and how he is with the others. Her team is full of alpha males, just like mine. Whereas Blayne’s team seems to have a good mix; Colt and Van seem like alphas, but the other three guys don’t appear as in your face. Not that I have spent that much time with them to know for sure.

Jimmie and Danika decide to play pool. Kai sits back, and I can feel him watching me, as I watch Colt and Blayne both staring at Sinclair. Oh shit, she’s in big trouble if they have both set their sights on her.

“I’m going to have shots with Summer. Does anyone want to come?”

“I think I’ll stay and play pool,” Sinclair says.

“Me too,” both Colt and Blayne say at the same time, causing me to laugh.

“Good luck with them,” I whisper to Sinclair, and she blushes.

“What about you?” I ask Kai as I stand and he follows suit.

“Do you even need to ask me that? Wherever you go, I go. Pay close attention to Summer or Blayne. Wherever they are, at least one of the guys is there—it’s just how it is. We follow protocol.”

“Who the hell is going to come after us?”

“Seriously? Mr Z has so many enemies. You’re at risk more so than anyone else. The only link to the woman he loved till death, and he keeps that no secret. Also, our teams have done jobs and pissed people off. We try to leave no evidence behind, but that doesn’t mean someone won’t figure it out.”

“It still seems excessive. Summer and Blayne seem like they can protect themselves.”

“I have no doubt they could kick my ass, but that’s a risk their guys are not willing to take with the most valuable member on each of their teams.”

“Mood” by 24kGoldn blasts through the speakers as we make our way to the outside patio where Summer and her guys are all doing shots. Khale glares at us as we approach. I flip him off, sick of the constant hate coming my way. He snarls and I just laugh.

“You came to do some shots with us! Leland, get these guys some shot glasses,” Summer says cheerfully. “Where are your friends?”

“Jimmie and Danika are playing pool, and Sinclair is currently the meat in a Colt and Blayne sandwich. Or at least they’re trying.”

Summer laughs. “Yeah, their dynamic is weird. I’ve seen teams like mine all be together, and I have seen one girl and one guy paired up on a team, but never an arrangement like theirs. I don’t get it, but they seem happy.”

Leland places shot glasses in front of us and fills them up, spilling a bit onto the table. I watch as Kai adds a small drop to our glasses with a slip of his hand. He’s probably done this a million times.

“To good times,” Kai says, lifting the shot glass. Everyone lifts theirs except Khale. Summer elbows him in the ribs and he lets out an audible oomph .

“What’s your problem?” She asks him after she downs her shot. His eyes flick to mine immediately.

“What did I ever do to you?” I ask.

“You came back—that’s what you did. Summer wanting to be friends with everyone fucking puts her at risk. Do you even realise how lethal your team is, and was? One fuck up and they’ll come after her. I can’t risk that.”

“Bullshit. Mr Z put her at risk. He knew what he was doing and yet you all played into his hands. I know he fed you information to tell me. And I think that I’m in more danger around you than she is around Team Zeus. As long as she doesn’t try to sleep with me, that is.” Summer raises a brow at me in silent encouragement to elaborate. “Long story short, apparently Chester is the obsessive stalker type. I would have pegged Creed to be that way, but apparently not.”

“It’s always the silent ones,” Leland adds as Summer laughs.

“Just relax, dude. None of us have you in our sights. You’re not even on our radar,” Kai says, throwing back another shot.

“Yeah, just relax,” Khale mocks.

“Hey, unless your plan is to trip and your dick falls into me, you’re safe. And no offence, but you’re not my type anyway.”

“I’m everyone’s type,” he gloats, and Summer snorts at him.

“Now you have just fed his ego,” she replies.

“Don’t flatter yourself. Kai, maybe we should convince Chester to do his next tattoo.”

Kai laughs and shakes his head at me while Leland fills up our shot glasses again.

“Speaking of tattoos, I have my appointment with you next week,” Summer says.

“And Atti, if I remember correctly,” Kai replies.

“I’m so excited. I have been waiting for months for this tattoo. Did Kai do yours?” she asks, pointing to my neck.

“No, Chester did it earlier today.”

“You’re so lucky. No offence, Kai, but there is something about wanting to get someone to tattoo you and they constantly refuse.”

“There’s a reason he doesn’t tattoo anyone, and let’s just say that your guys wouldn’t be impressed.”

“I don’t know,” Kai says, rubbing his chin. “That one looks like he could use a good stint to fix his attitude.” He points to Khale, and I laugh. He isn’t wrong.

“No way,” Summer says, leaning over the table. “Girl, get in on that action. I’ve been trying to get these guys to cross swords, and do you think they will do it? No.”

“Just because you think ‘what’s a little sucking dick between friends’ is a saying, it’s not. Friends don’t suck each other’s dicks,” Leland injects with a look of disgust on his face.

“I vote they should,” Kai says. I whack him on the arm, causing his drink to spill. “What?”

“You’re not sucking anyone’s dick!” I demand, jealousy rearing its ugly head, that useless fucking emotion I’ve never cared for flaring to life.

I’m finding out quickly my damn brain thinks these guys are mine, and I’m ready to fight for them. How ridiculous is that? I barely like them.

“Um, if I remember correctly, you told us you could fuck whoever you want, so it’s only fair,” Kai retorts.

“Oh, lovers quarrel! What did I miss?” Colt asks, kneeling between Kai and me, throwing his arm around our shoulders and pulling us both into his body.

“I think it’s only fair that I can suck dick if Jolie can,” Kai says.

“Dude, we don’t want to know about you sucking dick,” Ry, one of Summer’s guys, says.

“Speak for yourself,” Colt replies. “I volunteer as the test dummy if you both want to suck my dick. Bring your friends—it’s big enough to go around.”

“Blinding Lights” by the Weeknd starts to play and Summer squeals. “I love this song! Jolie, come dance with me.”

Getting up from my seat, I trail Summer inside through the glass patio doors to the dance floor. I can feel eyes searing into my back and following us the entire time we dance together. Song after song plays as Summer grinds herself against me. Kai comes over and joins us, taking residence behind me. His hands run up my waist, causing goosebumps to erupt across my skin. We spend the next few hours alternating between drinking and dancing. Summer’s guys have loosened up throughout the night and everyone is having a great time.

After the latest song finishes, I head off the makeshift dance floor and go in hunt for a bottle of water. Multiple bodies rubbing together makes the room hot and sweaty.

Finding water in the fridge, I crack the bottle and head back outside. I take a deep breath, the fresh air infusing my lungs, then take a seat on the back patio where we originally started and light a smoke. I know it’s modified so I’ll get high, and that’s exactly what I want right now.

Even though I’m pretty sure I’m extremely wasted, I light it up anyway.

“Having a good time?” I whip my head to the right and see Creed step out of the dark and pull back his hoodie. He takes a seat across from me and holds out his hand. I pass him the joint and hold back a groan as our hands touch.

“I am,” I slur, causing him to smirk. “Why are you here?”

He shrugs. “I was bored and thought I would come and see what you were doing.”

A laugh falls from my lips. “It was you or Chester, wasn’t it?”

“I told him I would come and check on you. He has tried to stay away from you. But since that day he called you into his office, back when he was the guidance officer, he’s been struggling.”

“I’m ready to call it a night anyway. I just have to find everyone and say goodbye.”

Creed follows me into the house and back towards the dance floor. Kai notices our presence and walks over to us. Before he can say a word, Creed chews him out for letting me go off alone, but Kai just snorts and points across the room. I snap my head in the direction he is pointing and find Trace leaning against the wall. What the fuck?!

“So that’s where he disappeared to,” Creed mutters to himself more than anyone else.

I wave to Summer, and she gives me a wave back. I don’t find Sinclair, Colt, or Blayne, but Jimmie and Danika have started doing shots with the rest of Colt’s team.

“Jolie, come and join us!” Jimmie half shouts, half slurs.

“I’m heading out. Are you okay to get home?” I ask, worry evident in my voice.

“They are sweet to stay here. We have lots of room,” Jarrah says from across the table before Jimmie can answer. He’s one of the nicer guys on Colt’s team. Jarrah is a big dude with dreads and a huge smile, and he always seems so damn happy.

“Thanks,” I say as Jimmie hands me a shot. “One for the road can’t hurt.”

I pull the bottle of liquid from my pocket and drop some in, then down the shot.

“Holy shit, Jolie! I said one drop, not just squirt it in.” Kai gapes at me in shock.

I start to giggle and stumble on my feet. “Whoopsie. Who wants to carry me?” Holding out my arms, I make grabby hands. “I can’t remember how to use my legs.” Laughing again, I wobble, my feet feeling like jelly.

“What the fuck!” Someone snaps, and I’m picked up like a baby and cradled to a chest. I recognise Trace’s smell—he always smells like a fresh ocean breeze and a juicy orange wrapped up in one package.

“You know, the last time you carried me like this, I was almost fourteen and had fallen asleep on the couch. You carried me to bed. I’ve always loved you, Trace.”

I look up at him through blurred vision and rub his face. “You’re so pretty. Look at those lips, so damn plump and juicy.” Someone snorts from behind me; they would be lucky to have lips like that. “Don’t tell Kai, but they’re some good dick-sucking lips.”

“Don’t worry, bro, you’re not my type,” Kai says with a laugh.

Oopsie, I forgot Kai was here. Damn, this shit is good.

I must fall asleep at some point because I don’t remember getting into the car. The next thing I know, I’m waking up as I’m being carried inside. “Put me down, I can walk. Goddamn, I’m so hungry, I need food.”

I’m put down and, like a newborn foal, I stumble on my feet. Fumbling my way through the house, running into everything that stands in my way, I eventually make it into the kitchen. As I mutter to myself, I pull random things out of the fridge and make a sandwich.

Biting off a huge piece, I groan as the taste hits my tongue. A throat clearing causes me to look up and five sets of eyes are staring at me.

“What? Do you want some?” I ask, holding out my sandwich to them.

“Are you seriously going to eat that?” Trace asks, screwing his nose up and glaring at my offering.

“Yeah, why?”

“Because it’s frozen nuggets, a bag of potato chips, salad dressing, and bean sprouts. I don’t even think that’s edible,” Kai adds.

I look down at my sandwich and have no idea what he’s talking about. I take a bite and it’s rock solid. “Maybe you’re right, but I’m hungry,” I pout.

“Don’t cry, Tenshi. We’ll make you something to eat. Go and sit at the table.”

Turning to look from Creed to the table, I spot Chester sitting on one of the chairs. A Cheshire-like grin hits my lips and my sandwich drops on the bench, then I sway my hips in what I’m hoping is a seductive manner, making my way over to him.

“Can you hold me so I don’t fall over?” Nibbling my bottom lip, I try to sexily bat my lashes his way. He pats his lap, and I let out a little squeal as I sit and curl up into him. He wraps his arms around me, and I snuggle impossibly closer. “My heart hurts, my brain hurts, everything is hurting,” I mumble into his neck.

“How much did you let her drink?” I hear Brennan ask somewhere in the kitchen.

“She snuck a whole dropper at the end of the night. Before that, I was only doing small drops.”

“Are you fucking kidding? That’s enough to take down a grown-ass man. Now we have to watch her all night. She could choke on her own vomit.”

I laugh. “I vomited on Brennan once, and he wasn’t very happy with me. Someone help me take these clothes off. It’s really hot in here.”

Someone grabs my ankle and takes off my shoes, but it’s still hot. “I need my clothes off. I feel trapped, just rip them.”

“Little Angel, I need you to stand up for a second.” I feel a set of hands holding me up and my pants being slid down my legs. I instantly cool down.

“Tenshi, your food is ready.”

I open my eyes and sit forward, but Chester keeps his arms wrapped around my waist. In front of me is a bowl of chicken and rice; it smells heavenly. I shovel the food into my mouth as quickly as I can. “This is so good. Creed is now the designated cookerer.”

“That’s not a real word, Little Angel,” Chester whispers into my ear, giving me chills and making me giggle.

Once I finish eating my food, my eyes begin to close again, and I yawn. I hear all the guys say goodnight. The last thing I remember before sleep claims me is someone tucking me into bed and a whisper-soft kiss on my temple.