Page 91 of The Rowdy Ones

“I don’t want to leave,” I murmur, clinging to his muscular chest. “I want to sleep with you all night.”

He kisses my head. “I want that too, but we know they won’t allow it.”

They being Uncle Atticus and Aunt Eve.

“It’s not fair that I’m finally happy, what everyone wants for me, and I can’t have it.”

He carries me back to his bed and lies down with me. I shiver when he kisses my scarring wrist.

“I’m going to figure that out for us,” Rowdy vows. “I don’t know how yet, but I’ll think of something.”

I believe him.

“I guess I should go back now,” I grumble, unhappy about doing just that.

Rowdy yanks me into his arms and locks me in a hug. “Not yet. I’m not done loving you.”

I melt in his arms. And then, again, later under the ministrations of his tongue.

“You’re up early.”

I nearly shit my pants at hearing the sound of Uncle Atticus’s voice as he exits the cabin. After depositing a very sleepy Destiny in her room, I walked over to the firepit, mind still replaying what we did last night.

We fucked. Multiple times. I had sex with my sister.

“Just wondering if Wild is okay,” I blurt out, needing to say anything other than the truth. “We had a little argument last night. I hate going to bed angry.”

Uncle Atticus chuckles. “When do you two not argue? He’s fine. Last night I told him to bring Talia by this morning and Eve could cook up something to eat. We’ll see if he actually does that.”

I feel bad for Talia. Wild likes her for a good time, but I know my friend. He doesn’t want her long term.

“I like Talia. I hope he does,” I say, shoving my cold hands deep into my coat pockets. “What are you doing up before the sun rises?”

I’m going to have to work on getting Destiny back to her room well before these people wake up around here. I don’t like nearly getting caught.

What happens if we were to get caught?

I’d seen the look of disgust on Aunt Eve’s face the other day. She would no doubt kick me out and make me go back home. Then I’d be dealing with a whole other kind of hell with Dad.

“Will wants to meet up with me,” he says, frowning when he comes to stand beside me. “Said it was urgent and too private to discuss over the phone. We’re going to meet at a coffee place that opens soon. Want to go with?”

I’d rather fuck my sister, but she needs her rest.

“Will we be back in time to take Destiny to the clinic?”

He smacks me hard on the back, nearly sending me stumbling forward. These Knox men are strong as fuck.

“Yeah, kid, we’ll be back within an hour or two. Come on. You look tired as hell and like you could use some caffeine.”

Staying up all night, doing dirty stuff with your sister, will do that to you.

It’s strange sitting across from Will. He’s so different than Evan. Serious and usually scowling. But he’s never hurt me, so I like him a lot more than his son.

“Is the coffee okay?” Uncle Atticus probes, gesturing to the untouched cup in front of his brother. “You should drink it before it gets cold.”

Will grinds his teeth together, eyes darting back and forth as if he’s thinking hard about something. Finally, he lets out a heavy sigh and leans forward to whisper something.

“The Brawny Slasher claimed another life last night.”