Chapter 16

16

LOGAN

O kay so it took us twenty-five minutes to get to dinner, much to Elle's dismay and wrath, but if she knew what Lincoln Blackwell could do with his tongue, she would understand. We sucked, fucked, and showered, in that order, before pulling on our suits and heading to the private family dinner that Elle had arranged to accommodate Linc and Ash's arrival. I must say, it is really nice to have my whole family together without anyone being in immediate danger. It's even nicer that it now includes Lincoln as my boyfriend, especially with our resident in denial Dark Prince scowling at us from across the table.

Lincoln told me that we need to give Ash a break, that we don't understand his trauma and what he went through to the full extent, and that we should back off a little maybe. I think that the enigma I have been in love with since I first laid eyes on him is finally starting to show cracks, and all he needs is one final push. The thought of doing just that makes me smile as I focus back on the present and dinner starts to come to a close.

We've all enjoyed an insane five course meal of some of the most amazing food I have ever tasted, and indulged in more than a few bottles of wine between us. Both Cassie and Sofia stuffed the ir faces with chocolate ice cream, and everything was so over the top that I'm not sure how the wedding could be any bigger. Yet with my parents at the helm of planning everything, I just know that it will be.

They have already excused themselves, taking a sleeping Cassie with them, and Ava and Gerry took Sofia to walk off some of the food on the beach before they also headed back to their villa for the night. Zack and Max have hung back here with us while the rest of the security team have headed outside to the main bar area for some drinks, but I know they will join them soon.

We're all just milling around finishing our drinks when he switches from talking about the wedding to something new. "I caught wind of some murders close to town," Zack remarks, looking between Elle and Lincoln, the former looking surprised, the latter looking as closed off and quiet as always. "Have you seen it?" He asks, now focusing solely on Lincoln, but to my surprise, it's Ash who answers.

"We're already on it," he cuts in, swirling the clear liquid round his glass, something he only does when he is on edge, and his stare is hard as it locks on Lincoln and they communicate something silently.

"What have I missed?" Elle asks, sitting up straighter, all of the relaxation from a moment ago completely disappearing as she looks between them all.

I spot Marcus as he slides his hand into hers and squeezes it gently, and I know that he knows she feels guilty for missing whatever is going on, but damn the girl has given up enough of her life, she deserves some ignorant bliss, especially during the week she is getting married.

"A few men have been killed, nothing you need to concern yourself with," Lincoln says carefully, his eyes flicking to Jace and Riley in silent warning to the rest of us.

Of course his brother doesn't miss a trick, and pulls Riley close into his side as he purrs, "Come on, Red, I saw a pool table in the other room, let's go play a game." He stands, pulling out her chair and offering her his hand, which she takes without pause.

"We'll join you in a minute," Elle tells them with a forced smile, knowing that despite Riley knowing some things by being with Jace, she doesn't know everything, and I know she also doesn't want to force Jace back into the darkness he once lived in. As soon as they are gone she snaps her head back towards Asher and Lincoln. "Tell me what's going on."

Lincoln opens his mouth, but once again Asher beats him to it. "It's nothing to worry about, Hells Bells, especially not this week. I promise, Lincoln and I have it under control."

As if knowing she won't just accept that, Lincoln ignores Ash and pulls out his phone, tapping away until I spot a news article across it, then he slides it over to Elle. Her eyes flick across the screen in quick succession, and she hums as she takes in the new information.

"Five murders," Marcus remarks, reading over her shoulder, before bringing his stare back to his brother. "And they don't have any suspects?"

Lincoln shakes his head, taking his phone back from Elle and passing it to me, as if he knew I was waiting. "Not that I am aware of, but the information only just came across my desk, but don't worry, like I said, I am looking into it."

My own eyes read the information in the article, grimacing a little at some of the descriptions of the murders, before they fall to the pictures of the five men who have been killed. All of them look similar in some sense, blond with green eyes, a muscular build, it's clear the killer has a type, one similar to mine, and I ca n't help but smile.

"You know these guys kind of look like you, baby," I joke, handing his phone back to him, but Ash snatches it from my hand and looks at the article with more scrutiny than any of us.

"Never thought you'd be the whipped type," my sister cuts in, sipping her glass of red wine with a smirk and smoothly changing the subject from anything dark and disturbed.

"Never thought you'd be interested in my kinks, sis, not when you have so many of your own" I toss back, making her grimace, and I swear Max almost chokes on his beer.

"Just let me know if you find anything," Zack cuts in, ignoring our bullshit as usual and nodding to Max as they both stand to leave, and my eyes zero in on my twin when she stands up to follow them.

"Come on, Little King, Black Hallows and all its blood and death is half a world away, let's just focus on being here right now," Marcus pleads, pulling Elle's face until she is staring into his eyes. "Plus, it would make me hard as fuck to watch you kick Jace's ass at pool like I know you can."

Elle rolls her eyes, but smiles too, leaning in and placing a kiss far too chaste for his liking onto Marcus' lips, and then pushing to her feet. "You're right, let's finish off the night with some fun," she beams, forcing herself to forget about the drama and focusing on her almost-husband.

"You guys coming?" Marcus asks, looking between the three of us, and when neither of them respond, I take my shot.

"I sure hope we're coming," I taunt, reveling in the way Asher's entire body tightens beneath my words.

Elle and Marcus both laugh, exiting without pause, and leaving just the three of us still sitting at the table. I don't know why, but the tension in the room increases instantly, and with Ash and Linc locked in a silent stare-off, I can't help but feel a lit tle lost.

"I don't know about you guys, but I could really go for a second dessert," I smirk, breaking their trance as both their gazes snap toward me.

"I thought I told you that flirting with me was pointless?" Asher drawls, polishing off the rest of his drink quickly, and rising to his feet.

"No, in fact, what you asked was if you should expect the flirting to continue, and I can now confirm that it will," I respond, also moving to stand and feeling Lincoln follow. "Unless you want to move past it like we discussed?" I ask sweetly, and for once he doesn't scoff. He just stares at us silently before turning to leave.

Of course Lincoln and I are quick to follow, like the magnetic force of Asher Donovan has replaced gravity, and we all reach the over the top billiards room at the same time. Pushing through the doors to find Marcus, Elle, Jace, and Riley all standing round the pool table.

"Well if it isn't the happy throuple," Jace drawls as we enter, making Ash stiffen, before he pushes himself away from us, and takes a seat on one of the sofas alone, snagging a fresh bottle of something clear on the way there.

I know from recent experience that he won't throw back a retort, not to Jace. Neither of them can seem to move past the crimes of Ash's family and the victims they stole from Jace, and I know it's something we are all aware of. I honestly thought things between them would have settled by now, and it's clear that Jace has no idea what Ash has even done for him. In fact, I don't think anyone but me and Elle do, but it doesn't matter right now. Yet where I would normally find humor in his blatant hatred, right now I can tell it's the last thing Asher needs when he is just trying to enjoy a night with us all.

Completely ignoring the fiery little red head at Jace's side, I don't hold back as I retort, "Well you are the expert in throuples, right? How many threesomes have you had again?" I match my questions with a sweet and innocent smile, and his girlfriend snorts a laugh, more than used to all our bullshit by now.

"I'm a one woman kind of man now, isn't that right, Riles?" Pulling her in by the waist, he nuzzles into her hair like he is addicted to her, and she smiles at him like he hung the damn moon.

"Don't drag me into this, Playboy, I'm not experienced in group activities the same way you are, I'd have to do some research and get back to you," she tosses back with a smile, her eyes lighting with a challenge.

"Oh, baby, you really shouldn't have said that." Without warning, he dips down, picking her up and tossing her over his shoulder. "Excuse us, it seems my girlfriend needs to be reminded who she belongs to." He doesn't look back, as he abandons the game and storms from the room to the sound of her giggles.

When I bring my gaze back to Lincoln, he is watching me intensely. "Are you going to toss me over your shoulder, and remind me who I belong to?" I ask, all too aware of the audience we have, and I'm not talking about Marcus and Elle.

"No," Lincoln utters quietly, picking up a cue, as Marcus resets the table for a new game. "You already know exactly who you belong to."

With my cock instantly hard, I move to make myself a drink, winking at Asher as he watches me carefully, before heading back over the table to play.

Marcus and Elle take the first game, and she wipes the floor with him, then I take her on, and she does the same to me, yet as Lincoln sets up the table for his turn, his brother comes along and swipes his partner.

"Baby, if you bend over this table one more time I am going to fucking explode," Marcus grunts, pulling her ass into him and rubbing his very obvious erection across it, not caring that we are all watching.

"River," she scolds playfully, her cheeks staining with a deep blush, and she turns and slaps his chest, but he captures her hand and pulls her in for a blistering kiss. When he pulls back they are both breathless, but when she smiles I know he's got her. "Sorry, Superman, rain check," she squeals out, as Marcus picks her up and wraps her legs around his waist.

"Sorry boys, but it seems I need to hear my wife scream my name," he gleams, stalking towards the door.

"Marcus!" She exclaims in complete embarrassment, before she adds, "And I'm not your wife yet."

Marcus only laughs, "Then maybe I need to hear you scream until you are my wife." And with that they are gone, the door slamming closed behind them and leaving Lincoln, Asher, and me alone.

"If I bend over the table again, are you going to explode?" I ask, turning towards Lincoln, who is flicking his gaze between me and Ash, as if he has realized the same thing I have.

"Let's play and find out," he replies smoothly, keeping one eye on Ash, as he finishes setting up for a new game, before grabbing himself a drink.

When Ash doesn't move, I reach for a cue and dust it off with some blue chalk. "Well, let's make it interesting then, shall we?" I ask, rounding the table so I can have both of them in clear sight.

Lincoln watches me carefully over the rim of his whiskey, no doubt savoring the burn he enjoys so much at the back of his throat. Only once he is done, does he respond, "Enlighten me."

I smile that cocky grin of mine that I know he loves so much. "If I win," I start, feeling the excitement and delight burning through my entire body. "Then I get to fuck you," I add, blowing the excess chalk off the end of my cue and letting my words linger in th e air.

Lincoln's face remains completely neutral, as I let my stare dance over towards where Asher still resides on the sofa. I expect him to move, anticipating that my words would force his departure, but he remains still on the sofa, looking completely at ease. In fact, the only sign of tension are his white knuckles gripping the bottle between his fist. Interesting.

When I return my gaze back to Lincoln, he doesn't look affected in the slightest. "And if I win?" He responds in a calm tone, and my smirk only grows.

I slowly make my way around the table, until there isn't an inch of distance between Linc and I, drinking in the sight of him, as Ash watches us closely.

"If you win, then you bend me over this table and fuck me."