Page 13 of The Sea Witch’s Son (The Villains of Wolf Hollow #1)

Chapter 1 2

MELODY

I didn’t expect the Elvis playlist.

“It’s Calista.” Gus sighs, crossing his arms over his massive chest, “It’s her mating call.”

“ Jailhouse Rock is her mating call?”

“That’s not even the freakiest part. She fucks girls more often than guys.”

I stare at him, “Aren’t you into guys?”

“Hell no. I’m a heterosexual man who prides himself on abstinence.” He sighs, “At least that’s what I tell my dad.”

“Not the most open-minded, huh?”

“Nah, but I know I’m privileged.” He gestures around the ballroom, “My family is rich as fuck and my dad is great. He pisses me off with the constant weight updates, but honestly, he’s my best friend. ”

I blink in surprise, “Isn’t your dad the one standing in all the hunting portraits?”

A sheepish smile hits his face, “He’s a little vain.”

“You don’t say.”

“Sexist, too.” Gus lifts an impossibly broad shoulder, “But nobody is perfect. I don’t know anyone else who can say their dad took them hunting around the world. Together, we eliminated eight endangered species. It was fucking awesome.”

“That sounds...” illegal, unethical, morally fucked up, “Great.”

“It was. The only time we argue is about my gains and my future wife.” He casts a sideways glance at me, “You could help with the last one, though.”

I start laughing until I realize he’s not joking.

“Wait. Are you serious?”

“Hell yeah.” He sweeps his arm out in front of him, “You could be Madame Gus Cartier and this could all be yours.”

Looking around the room, I fight back a grimace. The golden chandeliers are tacky as hell and the long red drapes stick to the harsh and limited colour palette. Not to mention, there’s a life-size printout of Mr. Cartier from when he won Mr. Universe in 1999 that’s standing tall and proud at the back of the ballroom.

Oblivious to my thoughts, Gus continues his proposal, “I will need a male heir, of course, but we could easily hire a surrogate to mix our shit together.”

“I don’t think you can choose the baby’s sex. ”

“Really?” He blinks, “I thought you just filled out a form and got what you ordered.”

I burst out laughing, “It’s not a click and collect system.”

“Well, shit. They need to start working on that.”

The dazzled look on his face has me laughing harder. I didn’t mean to strike up a conversation with the wannabe bodybuilder, but Gus surprised me by asking if I wanted to dance. I said no and here we are.

Talking about killing endangered species and ordering male babies like any other Friday night.

He’s more down-to-earth than I expected. Maybe it’s the dumb jock in him, but Gus seems more transparent than the others. He says what he thinks with no filter, and even though half the stuff he says is fucked beyond compare, it’s refreshing to hear someone talk about their family as though it’s not a political powerplay.

“So, what do you say? Want to be my little wife for the rest of eternity?”

“This is my first proposal, so I appreciate you taking the time to make it romantic.” Biting back a smile, I pat his thick arm, “But no. I’m going to pass on that one.”

He sighs, “The number of girls in this town is fucking pathetic. No wonder I ended up gay. I had no other option.”

“Again, I don’t think it works that way.”

Looking out at the couples dancing across the ballroom floor, I feel a pinch in my chest. If you ignore the drunk rambling and the drugs being passed from shady areas, it looks just like the galas Arielle used to take me to.

We never lasted long. By the third or fourth song, my mother would be vibrating with so much inspiration that we would sneak out the back door and run for the closest taxi so she could make it home before the lyrics stopped flowing.

It’s hard to imagine her growing up in this town. From the little bits and pieces I’ve seen, I think it’s safe to say that Arielle St. James never belonged to this world.

She belonged to a brighter one.

“Ah, fuck. There’s Marlin.” Gus tugs uncomfortably at the collar of his polo shirt, “Don’t tell him I proposed to you, okay?”

The pinch in my chest quickly turns into the same discomfort from earlier. I scan the room, looking for the shock of white hair and the dark dress shirt that have no business being that attractive.

“Where is he?”

“He’s over by the-

“Melody. I should have known I’d find you lingering in the corner.” Finley sidles up next to me, “Did you remember my name this time?”

I frown playfully, “Finnigan Reed, isn’t it?”

“I’ll get my license changed tonight.

Laughter slips out and Gus looks at me in shock. Finley glances at him for the first time.

“Did I interrupt something? ”

I look at Gus for clarification. His expression is wiped clean except for the glint in his eyes.

“Nah, I was just leaving. Have fun.”

I stare at his retreating back, watching the broad frame join the rambunctious crowd on the dance floor.

“It’s pretty wild in here, hey?” Finley takes another step closer, leaving just enough space so I don’t feel crowded, “Nothing like the first party of the semester."

“Yeah.”

I watch the people mingle along the dance floor, listening to the Elvis’ seductive voice roll through the speakers.

“Would it be lame if I asked you to dance?” A dimple flashes my way, “I’m still trying to figure out how to make a good first impression.”

“You’re doing an excellent job.”

He hesitates, “Is that a no for dancing or...”

I smile, turning to look at him, “Yes. I would love to dance.”

“Thank God.” He holds out a hand with a teasing grin, “Wasn’t sure how I was going to stay cool if you rejected me right off the bat.”

“I have faith you would have recovered just fine.”

Putting my hand in his, I let Finley pull me onto the dance floor. The level of intoxication is stronger here, the flailing arms and stumbling feet almost taking me out before the dance begins.

“Easy there, partner. ”

Strong arms pull me close as Finley leads us into an easy waltz. His hand rests gently against my lower back, making sure to avoid the exposed skin peeking out between my top and jeans.

“Thanks.”

He smiles at me, warm and friendly, and I smile back.

Being around Finley is inexplicably comfortable. He’s cute and funny and I could see him being the type of boy every mother wants their daughter to bring home.

Hell, even most fathers would approve of this one.

“Am I allowed to ask about the scar?” I wiggle my brows, so he knows what I’m talking about, “Or is it a deep, dark secret?”

“You mean this one?” Finley raises the notched brow and I nod.

“It was a very traumatic experience, actually.” He pauses, building the anticipation, “I made a bet with my best friend and lost. As punishment, I had to shave off my eyebrows.”

I smile, “And one of them didn’t grow back?”

“Worse. The blade slipped when I was doing it, so now I have a permanent scar.”

“That’s... less traumatic than I was expecting.” Biting back a laugh, I give him an apologetic smile, “But it suits you well.”

“The words every man wants to hear.”

The laugh escapes me, “What was the bet that lost you an inch of hair?”

Finley pauses to twirl me around and pull me back in.

“I had to eat a mason jar full of worms. Typical childhood stuff. ”

I pull a face, “I would have tapped out too.”

“Oh, no. I ate the entire jar. The problem was I threw it all up afterwards, so Killian disqualified my efforts.”

“I take it back. That is very traumatic.” I smile, looking up into soft brown eyes, “Are you still friends?”

“Him and his younger sister moved away when she was fifteen.” His expression darkens, “Josie had to go seek help once Marlin was through with her.”

“What do you mean?”

Our dancing falters as Finley’s steps come to a halt.

“He does the same thing every time. He picks a girl and he learns everything there is to know about her. He studies her, manipulates her, seduces her until every hidden fear and every dark secret is at his disposal. And once that happens...”

Finley shakes his head, “He takes what’s left and he breaks the girl into pieces.”

I swallow thickly, “That happened to your friend’s sister?”

“Josie didn’t stand a chance.” He gives me a weak smile, “Don’t let him get into your head, Melody. He’ll take everything and leave nothing behind.”

Unease spreads across my skin like a rash.

“I won’t.”

No sooner are the words out of my mouth does someone tap Finley’s shoulder.

“I believe it is my turn to take the lady’s hand.” Marlin flashes his teeth, looking every bit the nightmare Finley described.

Except this time, his attention is locked solely on me.

He’ll take everything and leave nothing behind.