Page 10 of Requiem Of Him (Of Solace And Sin #1)

CORTLAND

‘Out Of Oklahoma’ Lainey Wilson

I ’d waited as long as I could before tracking Levi down.

He’d wanted space, and I’d given it to him.

He wanted to be left alone, and I understood.

I knew when I could push his boundaries, and this was not one of those times, but I’d given him enough to let him resume his normal life for a week before calling in a favor to find his address—an active address.

Levi’s somehow managed to acquire quite a few properties over the years, but the one I wanted was where he went to hide.

Imagine my surprise when it was a little slice of heaven hidden in Savannah with acres and acres of open land unblemished by the outside world.

It had been someone’s ranch at some point, unless Levi had built this and was taking care of the upkeep by himself.

I realized just how secretive he’d become since he left Louisiana, especially since no one had any idea that he’d done all of this, let alone knew he owned it.

Well, except Alessio, but he wasn’t out here spilling people secrets, and when I’d asked him to give me something, he hesitated.

In his own way, that was how Alessio showed he loved someone.

As I drove up the winding paved driveway to the main house sitting under Spanish moss trees, tears pricked my eyes, emotions clogging my throat at the sight.

It was everything Levi had said he always wanted.

A house hidden beneath the trees that he loved, a small southern oasis.

There was no other way to describe it. I knew Levi wanted nothing more than to get away from the life he’d had before hiding out in Georgia, and I could see and feel it in the way he spoke and how he avoided personal questions, but some things never die, no matter how deep you bury them.

His bike sat out front with a truck that had him written all over it, a stark white GMC Sierra 2500, lifted with just a smidge of chrome that could never be considered gaudy.

Both sat in front of black modern rancher style home with a wraparound porch complete with rocking chairs just like his momma loved.

Of course, Levi had infused his style into the exterior of the home in a way his momma would have loved, even if it wasn’t a classic ranch, but he’d loved his momma more than words could ever express, and it showed in the way he built this.

It was like he’d done it with her in mind, like she would eventually see it.

I didn’t know if that would ever happen, but damn if I didn’t want to move heaven and earth to make it so.

It was a bittersweet sight.

The only thing sticking out like a sore thumb was the black Dodge Charger parked next to Levi’s bike, the same one I’d seen at that car meet. It felt like I’d been stuck by a cattle prod.

That bittersweet feeling became overwhelmed by a sickening rage as I jerked my truck into park in front of the house and tried to get a handle on it before getting out and bounding up the few stairs leading to the porch.

I waited for a moment, counting to ten again, even though it did nothing to settle my erratic heartbeat, then started darkening the front door.

I could make out the two of them standing together in the living room a little too close.

When neither of them got any sense of urgency, I banged on the door again before stopping abruptly and walking around the side of the house.

If it was anything like Mrs. Sorensen’s, Levi would have added a door that led directly into the kitchen.

And if he was really like his momma, he never fucking locked that door if he was home.

I sent up a silent prayer hoping I was right when I reached for the handle and pressed down on the latch. A sigh of relief escaped me when the door opened with an ease I didn’t feel. I could hear Levi murmuring something to that kid, softer than I thought he was capable of.

Somehow, I had enough restraint to keep myself from interrupting them as they embraced each other far too long for them to have been the enemies they appeared to be on the black top.

And I sure as hell wouldn’t be standing that close to a man who deserved to be sliced from stem to stern for something that came out of his mouth less than two weeks ago.

I’d missed something, or Alessio had, because it looked like they were lovers.

There was a gentleness to the way Woods–yeah, I remember his name–handled Levi that I wouldn’t have expected from someone who spouted so much hate for the man in his arms.

It didn’t take long for Levi to notice me.

We’d always been attuned to each other, knowing when the other was near without having to even look.

It was a feeling so palpable, so strong, and completely impossible to ignore.

We joked about it especially when people began noticing we’d become close and spent probably too much time together, but it wasn’t like we were told not to.

It was encouraged regardless of Levi being less than legal at seventeen years old while I had been twenty-nine at the time.

It was sickening. The feelings I had developed for Levi during those last few years before he’d left were no one’s fault but my own.

Looking back at it now, I knew it was wrong, whether he had pursued me or not, encouraged by our parents or not.

I should have cut ties with him before it went too far, but I could never bring myself to do it, and that fact still haunted me even now as I stood in his kitchen.

Hell, both of our fathers seemed more than thrilled by the idea that we could join the families and form some fucked up dynasty. Of course, until Levi chose to come out. And while I was prouder of him than I’d ever been, I was terrified of what they might do to him.

It took every drop of willpower I had left to stay rooted in place when Woods pressed a delicate, barely-there kiss to Levi’s temple, but knowing I’d have Levi to myself with no escape made it bearable.

I wasn’t a man who thrived on the idea of stripping someone of their free will, and I never had been until Levi.

The thought of bending him to my will and forcing him into submission until the only thing concerning him was me quickly became more intoxicating than anything I’d ever experienced.

Woods whipped his head in my direction, confusion and hurt etching his features. His pale green irises ignited as the pieces started falling into place and his hands tighten on Levi’s waist like that would change the outcome.

“Are you fucking serious? Him?” He barked in Levi’s face. Neither of us tried to deny it. I certainly had no intention of letting either of them believe I wasn’t getting what I came here for. I told Levi a week ago, and I’d meant it.

Levi took a step back and another, shaking his head in disbelief, but his words came out crystal clear, “You should go. We’ll see each other around, yeah?”

I watch as the cockiness drains from Woods, and his body deflates in defeat.

Poor kid didn’t stand a chance. While it was still a gamble that I’d leave here today having what I wanted, I knew all too well what it felt like to lose Levi.

The ache never went away. It festered, rearing its ugly head on nights I was too weak to shove the brimming emotions back down until I had no choice but to drown in them.

The same nights I wanted nothing more than to bury myself in him, whether I’d had a good night on the circuit, or I was fighting against an immovable obstacle like Marcus, I’d find myself seconds away from jumping into my truck and booking it to Georgia even if it was only to breathe the same air.

“I hope he’s worth it, Vi.” Woods forces out, cutting another scathing look in my direction but grabs his keys and jacket from the back of the couch.

On his way out the door he takes a moment to look at me like he’s seeing me for the first time.

“He survived this long without you, you know. Don’t make him learn how to do it again if you aren’t willing to give him everything. ”

I nod. Although I hate him for being a bigger part of Levi’s life than I had thought he was, I couldn’t argue with him.

I knew I needed to be more than sure about the decision I was about to make.

It wasn’t just Levi who I’d be uprooting.

I had to think about Diana and Elliott, and the business, while keeping them all safe.

Levi and I both leave his words hanging between us like a guillotine waiting for a single false move as we watch Woods leave.

I see why Levi would have wanted him. He’s gorgeous, even I could see that.

Deep tanned skin, tattoos sprawling down his muscled arms to the backs of his hands and tight cropped black curls with green eyes.

Throw in the fact that he was a street racer or whatever it was they did, and he was the typical bad boy who had men and women drooling over him.

And I’d bet that was what captivated Levi in the first place.

He never could say no to what wasn’t good for him.

The similarities were there; we just had different vices.

“I’m only going to ask you this one more time, and honestly if you can’t answer the question, you need to stay away from me,” Levi threatens as he remains on the other side of the room, further from me than I really want.

His head lulls to the side as he takes me apart with calculating eyes before meeting mine before his sigh turns into a bitter, hollow laugh. “Why are you here, Cortland?”