Page 17

Chapter Seventeen

Y ael rode a high he didn't even know existed until last night. He didn’t know sex could feel like that. He hadn't known he'd want something inside him until making love with Skippy. It was better than any experience of his life. He had a feeling sex with Simon would always be amazing.

Yael turned the television on in the living room and listened to the news with half an ear while he made coffee. He couldn't see the television very well from the kitchen, but he could hear it just fine.

Yael could hear the shower water running. If he opened the door, the steam would roll out. He’d find a naked Skippy and his big, wonderful cock. Yes, please but he needed coffee first. And Eryn was home. It was still a little weird to have another person in the house, especially one he’d had sex with the night before.

And also Yael might be just a little obsessed with Simon’s cock. Not that it was a bad thing.

Eryn padded in barefoot and in his pajamas. He blinked the sleep from his eyes and glared at Yael as he sat on the island.

Nothing could penetrate Yael's good mood. Not even Eryn's bad one. "Good morning."

"I'm glad you're cheerful this morning. Seriously. He's making you happy, and that makes me happy. But did I have to hear him making you happy last night?"

"Sorry." But Yael chuckled. He really wasn't that sorry.

Eryn snorted and pointed to the coffeepot. "No, you're not, but you can make it up to me by pouring a big mug of that. And letting me take the car today."

He put his hands together and pleaded.

Yael poured Eryn a cup and then grabbed the creamer he liked from the fridge, setting both in front of him. "What's the plan?"

"A bunch of us are going to hang out at the lake. Maybe have a bonfire later." Eryn left out parts of it. Probably the part where they'd somehow buy beer or some other alcoholic beverage.

"Who will be there?" Knowing who Eryn would hang out with would tell Yael the parts Eryn left out because some of those kids were trouble personified.

Eryn sighed. "It'll be me, Rando, Patty, and Statler."

There it was, written between every letter of Statler's name. His dad somehow got dragonshine all the time. George Statler was an alcoholic who was often too drunk to pay attention to his kid who stole a portion of his stash all the time. "Do not partake and make sure everyone stays safe."

"I planned on being the DD." Eryn was a good kid.

"If you do drink, who are you going to call?" Yael grabbed his own mug of coffee and drank it as he leaned against the counter.

"I'll call you or big daddy in there." Eryn nodded toward the hall and the bathroom.

Yael blushed. "Don't call him that."

"Why not? You did." Eryn smirked.

Why did he have to raise Eryn to be so witty? Seriously, why?

"I'm the only one who can." Yael meant it too.

Eryn exaggerated shaking his body as though he feared Yael. "Wow. Scary."

Yael shrugged and sipped his coffee. "What do you want for breakfast?"

"Why don't you ask big daddy what he wants?" Eryn sipped his coffee the same way Yael did, as if making just as strong of a statement by doing so.

"Eryn." What a little shit. But as much as Yael wanted to make it a point of not letting Eryn call Simon that, he couldn't help but find it kinda of funny.

Eryn chuckled right along with him.

Their laughter died when Yael paid attention to the news program. The words "breaking news" meant nothing good. And then he heard the newscaster say the word 'fugitive'.

Yael put his mug on the counter and made his way into the living room. He stood in front of the television.

He heard nothing the pretty blond woman said. His heart beat in his brain as he stared at Andre's mugshot.

Eryn stood beside him. "Is that Andre?"

"Yes." Sometimes Yael forgot Eryn didn't know Andre. He didn't even know what he looked like. Eryn had been too little to remember Andre. Yael had shielded him from everything Andre related after prison until the letters started up again.

"He escaped, Yael." Eryn grabbed his hand.

"Yes." According to the mugshots, Andre had escaped with someone else. But Andre would kill that man given half the chance. He'd make pretty promises at first, but that's what he did to people who didn't know him. He was nice and promised things. But he always wanted something. That's why he lured them in.

The other inmate might have figured out an escape plan. Or maybe he did something else for Andre. Whatever he'd given him would cost him his life. It was always what Andre wanted from people the most. He got off on killing.

The next picture was that of a guard. "Michael O'Reilly, a guard at the Jacksonville Correctional Facility where Inmates Joseph and Smith were housed, is now under investigation for aiding the escape. The police say O'Reilly took a bribe."

"A bribe? What did Andre have that the guard would want?" Eryn asked. He turned to Yael. "Did you give him money, Yael?"

Yael picked up the remote and shut off the television.

His hands shook, but he tried to ignore it.

"Yael." Eryn followed him into the kitchen.

Yael picked up his mug but didn't drink. His stomach was in knots, and he wanted to cry. But he answered Eryn with honesty. "Yes, I did."

Eryn cursed, but he drew Yael into a hug. "We should tell Skippy."

"No! Absolutely not." The last thing Yael wanted was for Simon to know how he'd help his serial killer of an older brother escape. Or he was pretty sure that's what his money had gone toward. "Andre would be stupid to come here."

"We should tell the sheriff or Indra’s mate. He’s on the council, right?”

Yael didn't know what to do. But he clung to the hope the authorities would catch Andre before he did any real damage. "He'd be stupid to come here."

"But he's going to."

"Hopefully he won’t." But Yael suspected Andre would head straight for Wingspan.

"We need to tell Skippy."

"I need to think." Maybe he'd find a way to keep Eryn safe without involving Simon.

Eryn sighed. "This isn't something you can hide."

He knew he couldn't hide it forever, but maybe long enough for Andre to be behind bars again.