Page 33 of Last One Standing (Saint Brothers #5)

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

KONA

The next few days were solemn. Carmichael had come by to look at the footage of the shop from when the Kings had arrived.

It was all very obvious they were the instigators, and he too was surprised none of them had been arrested yet.

He’d instructed us all to lay low for a few days, and that was what we were doing.

“I think we should watch a horror movie,” Gabe said.

We were finishing up dinner, and it was family night—which, I guess, was something they did here. One person picked dinner and a movie once a week. Gabe apparently was on deck for this week, and I had a feeling they were trying to find some normalcy.

“It’s your choice, babe.” Mason patted his shoulder and took his dish over to the sink.

“Lizzy, are you okay with horror?” JJ asked. She was mostly quiet, not really hanging around anyone since she’d arrived.

“I don’t care; I probably won’t watch.” She shrugged a shoulder, a permanent frown on her face.

Hazel (Phoenix’s sister) and Four were the only two people she seemed to be comfortable having near her, and she kept asking if she could go home.

“What movie did you have in mind?” I smiled at Gabe once I realized they all were about to give up on showing anything.

“I dunno, we can go cheesy classic or modern terrifying.”

That got everyone talking. In the end Gabe chose Unfriended , which I’d seen a while ago, but it was pretty good, and it took everyone’s mind off what was going on.

Lizzy and Hazel had opted to go up to one of their bedrooms, and no one stopped them. The second the credits rolled, I glanced at Angel. He’d also been pretty quiet, and I had a feeling he was feeling as guilty as me and the others.

This whole house was in disarray because of me, and I couldn’t do it anymore. I was scared of Brick, but I was terrified of what he was going to do to this family, and maybe I could do something about it.

When everyone stood to leave, I stopped them. “This is all because of me.”

They turned and looked at me. “You can’t believe that,” Angel scoffed.

“I can and I do. You guys came into that clubhouse and rescued me and Pika. In return Leo died, you lost a friend, your shop is ruined, and you’re all in danger. I’m not trying to be a martyr here or anything, but maybe I should talk with Brick, go to him and?—”

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

“Not a chance.”

“No!”

Everyone shouted at the same time.

“This isn’t your fault. The Dead Kings were escalating; we’ve seen it happening.

Somehow, we’d likely have gotten involved in it.

You were the reason we jumped in now and not later.

” Angel walked closer to me and placed his hands on my shoulders.

“If you go talk to him, he’ll kill you, and we’re not losing another person to those fuckheads. ”

“Angel—”

“No, Kona. No one blames you. Not a single person. You aren’t responsible for other people’s actions.”

From the way he spoke and the serious expressions on the others’ faces, I knew the conversation was done. I wasn’t sure if I agreed or disagreed that Brick would kill me. Hurt me, yes, but if I were dead, he couldn’t torment me anymore, and he didn’t like it when his toys were broken.

It was late, and everyone headed up to bed. Pika hugged me and I walked him to his room, stopping in front of my door and realizing I didn’t want to be alone. I spun on my heels and made my way down the hallway, freezing because I didn’t remember which room was Angel’s.

Huffing, I decided to go back to my room only to come to a stop once a body blocked my path. I looked up to find Four there. He wasn’t glaring, but he wasn’t smiling, either.

“Uh, sorry I was just…” Just what, Kona?

“Looking for Angel’s room?” There wasn’t a flicker of emotion on his face.

“Maybe?”

He hmphed and motioned for me to follow him. I did, and soon enough we were standing by Angel’s bedroom.

“Here you are.”

“Oh.” I blinked at him. “Thanks.”

“ Mhmm .” He spun on his heels and was gone. Well, all right.

I took a deep breath and knocked. My hands were at my sides, tapping against my thigh. I didn’t know why I was nervous. I’d just ask if I could hang out or…ugh, hang out? No, maybe…? My thoughts were obliterated as soon as the door opened and a shirtless Angel stood before me.

Good God, I could grate cheese on those abs.

Angel chuckled. “Pardon?”

“Oh, shit. Did I say that out loud?”

“You did.”

“Fucking hell.”

He opened it more, inviting me in. “Are you okay? Is something wrong?”

I stepped in and waited for him to shut the door. “Well. I mean, there’s a lot wrong, but I…” This shouldn’t be hard. I was a performer; I entertained people all the time. All I had to do was speak words to a gorgeous man who was way out of my league and…yeah.

“Just ask, Kona.”

“I didn’t want to be alone,” I spat out. There. Done.

“I see. And Pika didn’t want to be with you?”

Why were there questions? “No, I mean?—”

He laughed and reached out to grab my hand and pull me against his chest. “I knew what you meant.”

“You were making me fumble.”

“It was cute—what can I say?”

I could truly get lost in Angel’s eyes. Debbie Gibson knew what she was singing about. He was taller, bigger, and broader, but I didn’t need to stretch too much for our lips to touch. I loved kissing Angel; it was quickly becoming my most favorite thing in the world.

“Want to stay with me tonight, Kona?”

“ Mmm .”

He pulled away, smiling. “That’s not an answer.”

“Sorry, you short-circuit my brain.”

His thumb brushed across my cheek. My bruising was getting better every day, thankfully. I’d gotten makeup and the products I’d needed from JJ. He’d surprised me the other day with some stuff, and when I’d tried to pay him, he’d refused.

“I should maybe feel guilty about that, but I don’t.”

That made me snicker. “Yes. If it’s okay with you, I’d like to stay here with you tonight.”

“I was about to shower; would you like to join me?”

“Are we asking each other stupid questions now?”

His neck arched, and he laughed loudly. It was stunning…and contagious. Soon we both had tears in our eyes. Without saying more, Angel led me to the bathroom, where we undressed and stepped into the shower.

He was tender with me as he washed every inch of my body, and I was gentle with him as well. His cuts were beginning to scab, but I didn’t want to hurt him.

Wrapped in towels, we went into his bedroom and the electricity between us was so strong I swore I smelled ozone.

“What do you want to happen here, Kona? I’m gonna follow your lead on this.”

I adored him all the more for that.

“I want you, Angel, and all that you’re willing to give me.”

His smile was so bright, it lit up the motherfucking room. He pulled back the sheets and tossed his towel away.

“Get on the bed.”

Hell, yes.