Chapter 2

ChapterTwo

River

“What’s the game plan?” I ask as I plop down on the wingback armchair that likely cost a pretty penny. It’s one of those fancy French chairs, the epitome of luxury.

Alaric’s been acting fucking weird as hell for the past few days. He went for a drive with Ella, and the next day, he was off. I can’t help thinking that everything is about to go to hell in a handbasket.

“Don’t get too comfortable. You know what Celeste is like. We won’t be here for long,” Alaric says as he pours a glass of whiskey. He tips the glass back and downs the amber liquid in one gulp.

Asher pulls out a joint and lights it up, leaning back on the bed and taking multiple puffs. “She isn’t going anywhere until she finishes the job. And as long as little sister isn’t in her grasp, she’s the enemy.”

Asher passes me the joint, and I take a hit. “Celeste didn’t like the little date you planned.”

“It’s not like you helped the situation by making it a family affair,” Alaric snips.

I shrug, forming O’s with the smoke. “No way I’m not getting a taste of those goods again.”

“That shit with her can’t happen again,” Alaric states. “One and done.”

Motherfucker can’t be serious. It was the first time I’ve seen him shut down all the bullshit in his head and let go. Ella did in one night what Asher and I have been desperate to achieve for ten years.

Needing something to take the edge off thinking about Ella naked and spread before me, I beckon Asher with my fingers. He falls to his knees and crawls without being told. Asher makes quick work of my belt and unbuttons my pants, pulling down the zipper and unleashing my semi-hard cock. The fucker is baffling, but he’s the best cock sucker I’ve ever met. “I call bullshit. There’s no way you’re gonna walk away from her.”

“Never said we were walking away. Just that we can’t have her more mixed up in this shit than she already is.” Alaric slams his glass down and turns his gaze toward Asher and me.

He makes eye contact with me before lowering his gaze and taking a few predatory steps to stand in front of us. I think he’s about to unzip his pants, but he lifts an eyebrow.

Silence shrouds us as I wait to see what Alaric will do. It’s rare for him to join in when Asher and I go at it. I always thought it was because he wasn’t interested, but I learned that wasn’t it.

Like Asher and me, Alaric likes to fuck hard and fast and often. The only difference is that while we allow ourselves to relish the act, Alaric uses it as self-punishment.

With one hand, Alaric hoists Asher by the belt until his ass is directly in front of his crotch. He unbuckles Asher’s belt and yanks from the hoops. Asher puts his arms behind his back, and Alaric binds his wrists with the belt.

Asher would never let me tie him up like that. I’d end up on the sharp side of his blade. He’ll bottom for me—the fucker loves getting his asshole fucked and eats cum like a French delicacy. But no one except Alaric ties him up. He has no problem being bound, gagged, or even beaten by Alaric. It’s a little fucked up, considering their history, but that’s the draw of Alaric for both of us—our Manaveli. The man who would put us through hell if it meant we’d be in a better place.

Alaric focuses on his task as he removes the small bottle of lube from his pocket and pours it over Asher’s ass.

“What are we going to do about our little sister?” I ask as Asher moans on my cock from the intrusion of Alaric’s fingers.

It’s weird how Alaric is being careful tonight. Usually, he lubes up his dick and jams it in. My favorite. I like it to hurt a little. The pain takes everything right to the edge.

Alaric pulls his fingers out before impaling Asher on his dick in one full thrust. “Protect her. We have to wait it out. Three months, and it’s all over. I’ve already started shuffling things at the club. Celeste has no power. She just thinks she does. Three months. I’ll turn thirty and get the keys to the kingdom.”

I stand, forcing my cock to the back of Asher’s throat and Alaric’s dick deep in his ass. “Three months is a long time. How can you keep her safe when Celeste is drooling to put her six feet under?”

My hand moves to the back of Asher’s head, holding him still and choking him with my cock. I thrive on the surge of power when he gags loudly. We’ve learned to lean on each other over the years, using one another to work out the urges indoctrinated into us from childhood to adulthood.

I peer at Alaric. My gut twists as I gaze at his face—a mixture of pleasure and turmoil. His eyes are far away, as if envisioning something beyond the world surrounding us. Alaric wants to save Ella. To allow her to live something pure instead of the eternal damnation we survive in.

It must be hard living with the guilt of a dark savior—someone who wants to do good but is bound to the vilest things by the circumstances of life. Alaric has offered to burn in the flames to set us free so we don’t have to endure this life. But each time he brings it up, we shut it down. Asher and I understand that we belong to this man no matter what happens. We belong with this man.

“You know you always pull us through,” I groan as Asher sweeps the tip of his tongue along my shaft, accepting my release into the depths of his warm mouth as he comes on the hardwood floor. And with that, Alaric pulls out, depriving himself.

“You could’ve finished,” Asher says.

I toss a piece of cloth at Asher before lighting a smoke. “He’ll never finish. With how our boy here edges himself, when he finally blows, it’ll be an avalanche.”

Alaric jumps back and tucks himself in, avoiding eye contact. He never looks us in the eyes after fucking. I’ve always wondered if it’s because I disgust him, but now I realize he’s punishing himself. He doesn’t want to bask in anything that could bring him peace.

The three of us turn at the intrusion of creaking floorboards on the other side of the bedroom door.

Alaric lunges to open the door, and the little sister stumbles into his arms. “It’s not polite to spy, Ella.”

“I-I wasn’t spying, I s-swear,” she stammers.

Alaric pulls Ella into the room, slamming the door behind her. He’s no longer the tormented soul. A stony mask replaces his vulnerability. Slamming her against the door, he leans in, pressing his body against hers. My dick gets hard again at the idea of her frightened by the ridge of his thick cock. Yes, I know that makes me sick. I like my girls a little scared. It’s a problem. It’s also why I didn’t fuck her that night because I realize the damage I would’ve inflicted.

“Please enlighten me, little sister. What would you consider your ear pressed against a closed door if not spying?”

“I heard nothing. I swear.”

Alaric glides his finger down her face, resting the tip on the bow of her lips. “Shhh, little sister. I don’t want you spilling more lies from your sweet lips. Were you interested in a show, Ella? Or were you looking for a repeat of that night?”

Her long, silky hair flies back and forth as she shuts her eyes and shakes her head. I recognize that fear—the kind where you don’t know what’s going to happen. But if you close your eyes and wish with all your might, it will simply be a nightmare you can put behind you. Where does she go when she’s scared? I run to memories of my dead mother, steadfast in her arms as she hums a song.

“Why are you being like this?” Her words are barely a whisper falling from her lips. So soft and filled with sorrow that I’m unsure I heard them correctly.

Alaric falters. He steps back, giving Ella space. She visibly shakes, and tears cascade down her round face.

“Gotta be cruel to be kind, Ella. I don’t want to be unkind to you, but you have to realize there’s nothing but misery for you here. You should run, Ella. Your natural reaction to us should be beyond fear. When you look at us, you should be flooded with horror.”

“I know you would never hurt me,” she states, her shoulders pulled back as if sure of her statement.

Before I can blink, Alaric’s hand is around her throat, pinning her against the wall, holding her steadfast. “If I ever catch you snooping around us again, I’ll gut you like a little fish and leave you flapping on the ground, gasping for your last breath. Have I made myself clear?”

Ella’s eyes widen, and she nods. Pure fear replaces the sorrow lingering there a moment ago. Her hands move to her throat, her nails digging into Alaric’s flesh, desperate to free herself.

“Use your words, Sis. No misunderstandings.”

“Yes, I promise,” she sobs.

Alaric grips her hair, yanks her back, and opens the door. He tosses her on her ass in the hallway. “Now, stay the fuck out.”

With a slam, he walks back to the liquor and pours another glass of whiskey.

Asher grabs the glass from his hand. “You can’t keep her safe if she’s petrified of you.”

Alaric glares at him. “If she fears us, she won’t trust us. If she doesn’t trust us, and since her father isn’t here anymore, she’ll have no choice but to take my suggestion to get herself the fuck away from here.”