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Chapter 12

12

RHODES

I was completely fucked. There was absolutely no way I was ever going to recover from the last twelve hours.

I moved inside of Larkin, her cries getting louder the harder I drove into her. Her dark hair was splayed across my pillows, fanned out around her head like a mahogany curtain of silk. Her dark eyes were screwed shut as I lightly pinched her clit, pulling her over the edge of her climax.

Her impossibly tight pussy spasmed around me, dragging me into yet another release that left me lightheaded and seeing spots. I rolled off her when we finished, thankful we had finally made it up to my bed.

Waking up with Larkin after last night had been incredible.

Waking up to her hand stroking my dick was even better.

I hadn’t planned on taking her again since I knew she had to be sore, but my girl definitely wasn’t taking ‘no’ for an answer.

And I definitely didn’t say no when she took me in her hand, guiding me into her body. Not when I looked down, seeing the way the early morning light broke across her naked skin, the rosy flush of her chest and cheeks as she gasped, her arousal climbing higher.

I reached out, tugging her into my side. In true Larkin fashion, she cuddled into my side like a kitten, sated and sleepy. My lips kissed her hairline and I took a deep breath, my wolf practically vibrating with pleasure at the scent of me on Larkin. Our essences mingled together, an intoxicating blend that had my dick ready for another round.

“Why don’t I make breakfast?” I suggested softly, glancing down at her.

She tipped her head up, her tiny nose wrinkling. “You’re going to cook?”

Okay, so cooking wasn’t exactly my forte. I was more a microwave and toaster kind of guy.

I rolled my eyes. “I think I can figure out a way to feed you.”

Her stomach growled loudly and she grinned sheepishly at me. “Food sounds good. Is it okay if I jump in the shower?”

Some deep part of me hated the idea of her washing my scent off of her, but I wasn’t going to tell her that. My wolf was a possessive asshole who wanted everyone, especially a pair of annoying as fuck twins, to know Larkin was ours.

“Of course,” I replied. I got up and went to my dresser, pulling on my clothes as I looked out the window. “Looks like the snow plows came through last night,” I told her, seeing patches of black on the road.

I felt Larkin press herself against my back, looking over my shoulder. Her very naked breasts were flush against my spine, and I groaned quietly.

“I thought you wanted food,” I said lightly.

“Maybe I had a different kind of food in mind?” she said innocently, her hands delving under my shirt, her nails raking down my abs.

“God, you’re fucking insatiable,” I muttered, turning in her arms and kissing her soundly, my hands cupping her cheeks. I pulled back, holding her.

“Food first so you have the energy for me to fuck you later,” I told her.

Her eyes lit up. “I like that plan.”

Shaking my head, I walked out of my room and headed downstairs to make breakfast. As soon as I got into the kitchen, I realized the power was still out which left us with the option of cereal or cereal.

I pulled out the three kinds we had and a couple of bowls for her to make her choice when she came downstairs. Maybe the power was on in town and we could get to the café since the roads were cleared. I could text Skye and see if she knew. Her mom basically ran the place now.

I found my phone in the living room but the battery was dead. I tossed it back onto the couch as someone knocked on the front door.

I glanced around the room, quickly gathering all of our discarded clothes from last night into a pile and tossing them to the side of the couch, not that it would do much to mask the scent of what happened here hours earlier.

I could still smell both of us in the room, and if someone wasn’t knocking on the door again, I would’ve headed upstairs to join her in the shower.

I made my way to the front door and pulled it open, stunned to see Gabe and Remy on the other side.

“Checking to make sure everyone survived the power outage?” I joked with a grin, leaning against the door frame.

Remy gave me a tight smile. “Hey, man. Can we come in?”

I knew my best friend enough to know something was wrong. Not just power outages in the pack wrong, but something worse.

I straightened, looking from Remy to Gabe. The Alpha looked serious and somber. I stepped back, letting them into the foyer.

“What’s going on?” I asked, the question barely out of my mouth before I heard footsteps on the stairs. Seconds later, Larkin came around the corner.

“Hey, Rhodes, do you have—” She stopped short abruptly, her eyes going huge as she looked at Gabe and Remy. At least she had taken the time to slip one of my shirts on before coming downstairs.

If she would have come down naked…

My wolf growled in my chest at the thought. I really didn’t want to have to tear out the eyes of my best friend and my Alpha for seeing her naked.

“Um, hi,” she squeaked, her big eyes going to me.

“Hey, Lark,” Remy said, his tone giving off a lot of confusion as he glanced from her to me.

“Larkin, how are you?” Gabe asked politely, not looking the least bit unsure of the situation.

“I’m good, Sir,” she answered, taking a step backwards. “I should just... go? Yeah. I’m gonna go.”

She didn’t wait for any of us to reply before spinning and thundering back up the stairs. A second later I heard my bedroom door slam shut.

I shoved my hands into the pockets of my jeans as Remy gave me an incredulous look.

“What’s going on?” I repeated, trying to get back on track so I could go upstairs and join my—

I froze, realizing I was about to say girlfriend .

Gabe cleared his throat. “Rhodes, it’s about your father.”

Fucking hell.

My stupid heart sank as hope I hadn’t even realized I was holding onto popped like a useless balloon.

I masked any emotion on my face and sighed. “Couldn’t stay sober even in rehab, huh?” I snorted, shaking my head. “I don’t know why I thought this time would be any different.”

Remy shifted on his feet. “Rhodes—”

I held up a hand. “Don’t, man. It’s fine. It’s par for the fucking course.”

“Son, you don’t understand,” Gabe said slowly.

“That my dad is a drunk?” I scoffed. “Trust me, that I absolutely understand. So, what happens now? Are they kicking him out? Or is he going to try one more time to be an actual father?”

“Rhodes, stop,” Remy said, his tone bordering on desperate. “Just stop. You need to listen.”

I grit my teeth. “If this is the part where you tell me to give him one more chance, I swear to Christ, Rem—”

“Rhodes, your father is dead.”

Everything stopped.

I even held my breath as I slowly turned to look at Gabe.

With a long sigh, Gabe stepped forward, his hand reaching out to land on my shoulder. It was a gesture of comfort, something a father would do.

Something my father would never do.

“The center called me this morning,” he started. “They went in to check on your father and found his body.”

Found his body .

“How?” I managed to get out. “How did he die?”

Gabe’s eyes slid shut, shaking his head once. “That doesn’t matter now.”

“The hell it doesn’t,” I snarled, jerking away. “What happened?”

Remy exchanged a look with his father before looking at me.

“He killed himself early this morning,” Remy finally said quietly.

I staggered back a step, the news a physical blow. “He what ? How?”

Gabe was already shaking his head. “Son—”

“Don’t tell me it doesn’t matter,” I snapped viciously, lashing out. “How did he do it?”

Gabe never stopped watching me. “He broke the mirror in his bathroom. He used the glass to...”

I nodded, getting the picture, vividly, in my head. Drawing in a slow breath, I rubbed a hand along my jaw.

“Okay.” That simple little word was all I could manage.

Gabe kept his steady gaze locked on me. “We’ve already arranged transport for him to be returned to Blackwater. We can discuss funeral arrangements, or Mallory has offered to handle them all if you like.”

“That’s fine,” I agreed. I didn’t have the first clue about planning a funeral. Weren’t funerals expensive?

“Why don’t you pack a bag and come stay with us for the rest of the break?” Gabe suggested gently. “We’ll make a plan, figure out what to do next.”

“No, thanks.” The last thing I wanted was to be surrounded by the ever-amazing Holts in all their nuclear family perfection. I didn’t need the pity or the sympathy.

“Rhodes, seriously,” Remy said, touching my arm. “Just come stay with us for a few days.”

“I’m good,” I told him, my mouth speaking without prompting. My brain was still buzzing, a void of white noise eating away at me.

“Rhodes—”

“I said I’m good,” I snapped, tossing a glare at him.

“Fine,” Remy said evenly, not at all offended by my tone. He simply took it in stride. “But I’m staying here today.”

I opened my mouth, but he shut me up.

“I’m not leaving. I’ll sit in the living room and read and you can work in the garage or whatever. We can watch a movie and not talk. But I’m not leaving you. You’re my best friend, Rhodes. Deal with it.” He folded his massive arms across his equally massive chest, staring me down.

With a sigh, I gave a quick nod.

Gabe opened the door. “If you change your mind, the door is always open for you, Rhodes. And I am sorry. I honestly never thought this would happen. It never even crossed my mind. When I spoke to him last week, he seemed good. Upbeat, even.”

I flinched. I hadn’t tried talking to him once. In the days since he left, I had racked up three missed calls from a number I was pretty sure was his, and just as many unopened voicemails.

What if I had simply answered one fucking call? Would that have been the difference? Was this my fault?

Pain ripped through my chest, almost knocking me over. Guilt swamped me, punching me in the stomach.

As quick as the wave rose up, I slammed it back, putting my emotions on lock down.

Likely seeing the sudden torrent of emotions that tore through me, Gabe stepped forward. I immediately took a step back, my hands curling into fists.

“The power should be back on within the hour,” Gabe informed me, ignoring my blatant refusal at comfort. “You boys call me if you need anything at all.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Remy spoke up when I stayed silent. All I could do was nod in agreement.

Gabe stepped through the door, sighing as he looked at me. “I’m so sorry, Rhodes.”

“Thanks,” I muttered, waiting until he turned to head down the stairs before closing the door on his retreating back.

I leaned my head against the cool wood, not wanting to turn around and see my best friend watching me.

Soft footsteps on the stairs were what finally made me turn.

Larkin was standing in the hallway, now wearing my shirt and a pair of my gym shorts that looked ready to fall off her tiny hips.

“Hey, Larkin,” Remy said softly.

Larkin barely looked at him, her doe brown eyes watching me with worry.

“What happened?” She visibly swallowed. She took a step forward and paused.

I leaned my back against the door. “Apparently Dad had enough of rehab,” I said darkly, already feeling the churn of anger in my gut. My shock was slowly wearing off, and now I was getting pissed.

Remy sighed. “Rhodes.”

“He left?” Larkin frowned.

“Permanently,” I replied with a grimace. I shrugged indifferently. “Apparently he killed himself.”

With a shocked gasp, her hands flew to her mouth. She shook her head in disbelief, her gaze swinging from me to Remy and back to me. A second later she flew across the hallway, launching herself into my arms.

I caught her on reflex, my arms going around her small frame to hold her.

Without thinking, I buried my face in her neck, letting the comfort she offered cover me like a warm blanket. I tightened my hold, squeezing her hard enough that it probably hurt, but she didn’t say a single word or try to break free.

Instead she hugged me back just as fiercely.

“I’m right here,” she whispered against me, her voice breaking through the incessant buzzing in my head.

And for that moment, I let myself be weak and greedily take all she had to offer.

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