CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Bea

We enter his den, and he stalks off toward the other side of the room while I close the door behind me. The green neon hue of the lighting does nothing to affect his irrational mood. He stalks over to a drawer, opens it, pulls out a pill bottle, and then throws back one with some water right in front of me.

Jerking back my head, I furrow my brows. "You better not be taking caffeine pills to try to help you work. No wonder you're always on edge and grumpy all the damn time!" Stalking over to him, I yank the pills from him, looking at the bottle, and my eyes widen as an instant sadness slams through me like a freight train.

Slowly, I glance up at him, my breathing becoming quicker. "These are depression pills."

"Yeah," he simply replies.

My shoulders slump with the realization. "Why didn't you tell me you were on these?"

"It's not important, Bea—"

"It is important, Alex. If you're hurting and not dealing, then I want to be able to help you. How long have you been taking them?"

He doesn't respond, just looks at me with sad eyes, and I sink into myself with a small nod of realization. "Thirteen y-years?" I whisper, my voice cracking.

His nostrils flare, and his hand runs through his hair before he begins to pace the den again. "You better start talking, Bea, because I swear to God, I can't do this shit again. Not again, Bea!"

His breathing is rushed, his fists clenched, and it's only now that I realize that he is purposely trying to stay back from me like he's in physical pain. The way his hand clings to his chair and his knuckles turn white hits me in the chest with the strength of a thunderous stampede.

He's right back there.

The day I walked out on him— thirteen years ago.

And he thinks I'm doing it again.

Raising my hands to placate him, I inhale sharply. "Loki, listen to me. I only left because Alpha asked me to—"

"What?" he snaps, his brows furrow in confusion.

"When I first walked in, and Haven was leaving, we spoke briefly. She whispered to me that she would see me soon. I didn't quite know what that meant, but you were called to the Chapel to talk to Alpha, and then South and Ingrid came to find me. They filled me in on what Alpha wanted me to do. So, I packed all my things and left straight away."

Loki folds his huge arms across his chest, a scowl etched deep into his face. "You expect me to believe that Alpha told you to leave when Rhyan told me that you said you had some things to take care of and that you couldn't be here to do it. That you needed a clear head."

Taking a step closer, I nod. "Yes. Because Alpha wanted me to go to the prison, and everyone else in the clubhouse knew that if they told you I was going, you would have stopped me from heading in there alone."

His face instantly turns bright red, his nostrils flaring as he spins his back to me to try to control himself. I take another step closer. "Loki, Alpha organized it so I could meet with Valerie and Haven to get the inside information Valerie has been gathering for the app."

He snaps back around to face me, but this time, he rushes forward, taking the steps to narrow the distance between us. My breath hitches as he reaches out, grabs my arms, and yanks my body to him, taking me by surprise. His fierce arms grip me tight, making it hard to breathe while he holds onto me, his nose instantly nestling into my hair.

I relax in his embrace, holding him back, my heart hammering in my chest, almost out of control. "Don't you ever go there by yourself again. Especially not while some asshole is threatening and blackmailing you, Bea."

My muscles soften a little when hearing the reason he is overreacting.

It's because he's concerned.

Because he cares so much.

That much is obvious if he has been needing to take antidepressants.

But the mood between us is still tense.

And I am always known for being the bright, sassy girl who can usually cheer anyone up.

So, I try to taunt him to lift his mood by letting him know how I feel. "Why? Are you worried about me?" I mock, glancing up at him with a sly smirk.

He furrows his brows. "Fuck. Of course I am."

"Because we're friends?" I ask.

He huffs. "What kind of question is that?" He grunts, letting me go and taking a step back.

But I want to continue to tease him and see how far I can take this. "But we're not friends, are we, Loki?"

He just stares at me, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down in his throat with the obvious nervousness flowing through him. "What are you doing, Bea?"

I take a step closer, and the energy in the room begins to spark between us the same way it always used to. "Just having an incredibly simple conversation with you."

He snorts out a laugh, craning his head to the side. "Nothing is simple with you, Bea."

I figure if I'm going to do this, I may as well try to get everything out in the open. "Is that because you want to kiss me? Like we did that night in the shower? Or was that really only in my dreams?"

His shoulders sag, and relief floods across his face. "You remember?" His words come out breathy.

"It wasn't a dream?" Smiling wide, I nod as my heart races frantically.

He lets out a chuckle, the heaviness from his face evaporating as that spark of lust hits his eyes again. "No baby, it wasn't a dream," he chimes, rushing forward, his hands sweeping in to cup my ass as he lifts me in one swift motion. I giggle, moving with him, my hands sliding around his neck and holding on tight as he backs me up and then sits me on his desk. My heart pounds so intensely I can barely think. It's like the air from my lungs is being sucked out from the rush surging through my body when his lips slam against mine.

Hard.

Fast.

Unrelenting.

My tongue dances with his as he steps in between my legs, and they instantly wrap around him, his hard cock pressing against my already soaking pussy while I find myself moaning into his mouth. The kiss is frantic, both of us knowing we've been needing this for too damn long. He threads his fingers in my hair, holding me firmly while his other hand trails over my breast, squeezing. A whimper escapes me as I push against him, letting him know that I want this.

I want him.

I have always wanted him.

A low growl rumbles from his chest as his hand slides down, dipping lower and under my skirt. When his fingers make contact with the soaked fabric of my panties, the anticipation has me moaning and needing more.

I rock my hips, and he nips at my lip. "Don't worry, Sparkle, I got you." And with that, his fingers graze my folds, a tease before suddenly, a ripping sound echoes through the air.

And just like that, my panties are tossed to the floor.

Smirking, I spread my legs, encouraging him to touch me. To take me. It's been too long. I need him. "Alex… fuck. I—"

My plea is cut off by his fingers sliding up inside me. I gasp, my head sliding back with the feeling as he works in and out of me. Loki groans, his other hand clenching my hair and drawing my head back to him, claiming my mouth, and moaning into it while deepening the kiss as if to consume me, our breaths in time with one another. I drop my arms from around him, frantically trying to get his jeans undone. Lowering the zipper, I finally free his hard cock and whimper at the feeling of his long length in my hand. My memory has been a lie—he's so much bigger, but then again, nothing could ever beat the reality.

He breaks our kiss and releases his grip in my hair. Then he drops his head back as I work his length up and down, spreading the precum over the head. "Fuck, Bea."

"That's the idea," I quip, causing his head to snap back to me, his gaze meeting mine. I can't help the smirk on my face, but the heat behind his eyes has me pulling my lower lip between my teeth and my hips rocking faster against his hand.

His thumb presses against my clit, and I'm left gasping for air. It's a jolt that's too much, yet not enough at the same time, and I don't know if I should cry out for more or tell him to stop.

Who am I kidding? I wouldn't tell him to stop if my life depended on it.

Then, without a word, he drops his forehead to mine and slides his fingers out of my pussy, leaving me to clench around nothing. I open my mouth to protest, but only a whimper comes out before he pushes the same fingers into my mouth. When my lips close around them, he groans, his eyes closing for only a moment before they snap back open. "Goddammit, Bea. I need you. Now !"

I steady myself on the desk, placing my hands on either side of me, the anticipation too much to hold still. He pulls his fingers from my mouth, and I make sure to keep my teeth lightly around them, dragging along the length. I'm gifted with a deep growl of appreciation, and I grin, loving how worked up he is.

This has been a long time coming.

Something that should have been cemented when I first returned.

We still have so much to talk about, but right now, this is what we need.

Our connection.

To be reunited in every way.

Loki drops his hand, my eyes following the movement, and I watch as he uses my saliva and juices to coat his shaft. "Eyes up here, Bea," he demands, and I do as he says. "I want to watch your face when I bury my cock in you." The moment our eyes meet, he thrusts up into me, and the whole world stops.

The atmosphere bursts into flames. All oxygen is sucked from the air, and it's making it hard to breathe while we stare at each other.

That saying ‘ you never know what you miss until it's gone' has never been more true.

How could I have walked away all those years ago?

But at this moment, it's like I've never left.

He pushes into me, driving impossibly deeper, and then his mouth is back on mine, my tongue dancing with his. I slide my hands under his shirt and up his back. The weight of his club cut a comfort I wasn't expecting. This time, it's me who breaks the kiss, and I drop my head back, gripping his shoulders as I arch my back.

Our moans and heavy breathing echo around us in the small space, mixing with the sounds of our bodies connecting.

"So fucking tight…" he hisses out between clenched teeth, and my pussy clenches in response, causing his breath to stop midinhale before he stumbled over his next breath.

He pulls back slowly, only to drive into me again and again, his pace a steady desperation, one I match thrust for thrust. The pleasure coils low in my belly, an ache building that promises an explosion of ecstasy. He's working me to the edge. I'm so close. I just need…

Loki drops his head to my throat, where he places open-mouth kisses, letting his teeth drag along my skin, and that's exactly what I need. "Yes… Loki, I'm— "

He growls, thrusting up harder. "No! I need you to say my name when you come, Bea."

Panting, my fingers slide up under his shirt. My nails dig into the flesh of his back as my breathing hitches.

He's back there.

Back to when it was only us.

And I am right there with him.

My body trembles with the pleasure rolling through me.

My skin flushes hot as my eyes clench tight, stars sparkling behind them as tingles spread all the way from my toes to my stomach. He thrusts up again, hitting just the right spot, sending me straight over the edge. "Oh, God… Alex," I whimper as the surge takes hold. My climax hits me full force, and I drag my nails down his back, surely drawing blood as I lean into him, my head falling to his shoulders. My body shudders, my hips rocking erratically with the amount of pleasure burning through me. My eyes instantly begin to well from the emotion of it all, and at the same time, he drives into me once more.

"Fuuucking hell!" He groans, stilling as he reaches his own climax, the force enough that I feel the warmth as he fills me.

My heart races, and there's a quiet ringing in my ears as I pant for breath, trying to control the tears in my eyes from falling over.

Alex sags against me, grunting and groaning with each jolt of aftershock. He lets out a small laugh, his eyes slowly lifting to meet mine, his smile instantly falling when he sees my watering eyes. His hands shoot up, cupping my cheeks while we continue to fight for breath. "Fuck… Bea, why are you crying?" His voice is laced with concern.

Sniffing, I can't stop my smile as I rest my forehead against his, his shoulders instantly relaxing. "I get it now… why you were emotional our first time."

A bright smile lights his face as he leans in, pressing his lips to mine, but the kiss is tender, full of so much love. Then he pulls back, staring into my eyes. "All I feel is you."

My heart pounds unbelievably hard as I smile at him, hearing those words again. Then, without another word, he steps back and slips out of me, dropping to his knees.

I gasp at the sudden loss and narrow my brows in confusion.

He looks up at me, his eyes still heavy with lust. "I can't wait any longer. I need to fucking taste you… right now, Sparkle."

I don't have a chance to protest, to argue that he just came inside me. He ducks between my legs, spreads my knees, then his mouth is on my clit, sucking and nipping, his tongue circling before dropping lower. "Holy fuck!" I cry out, grabbing the back of his head, mine throwing back in delight.

"I like the way I look inside you." He moans, his eyes flicking to mine with a mischievous glint and holy shit, I don't know that I've heard anything hotter.

We were great together all those years ago, but we were young. We've grown. He's grown. And it looks like he's learned a thing or two.

And I can't wait to take advantage.

He slides his tongue deep inside, moaning as he does. I rock my hips into him, riding his face .

I can't get enough of him.

He growls, and the vibration hits me in my core. I just climaxed, but here he is, quickly working me up again, like only he can. He glides his tongue from my entrance to my clit, teasing me back and forth before he settles on my clit and pushes two fingers inside, rubbing my G-spot, and I'm on sensory overload in a second.

My skin tingles, breaking out in a sheen of sweat, followed by goose bumps from the cool air against my warm, slick skin. "Fuck, Alex… I-I…" I don't even know what I'm mumbling.

He chuckles, but it sounds too far away. I'm becoming lightheaded, the tension coiling in my belly again, but this time it's stronger. The need to come more desperate. Completely disorientated, I don't understand what's happening. My vision goes fuzzy, and my breath ceases as I come undone with a silent shout.

Then I collapse back, my body tingling from head to toe, feeling too heavy to move. I'm vaguely aware of Alex lapping me up and then placing kisses on my thigh before he stands. Somehow, I manage to lean up, bracing on my forearms as I try to come back down to Earth.

"Taste how good we are together," he urges, sliding his fingers into my mouth and over my tongue.

"Mmm…" is all I can manage before his lips are on mine in a short but sensual kiss.

I watch as he stands, my vision now clear. The sounds of our heavy breaths and the low hum of his tech gear rush in. He tucks his semi-hard cock back in his jeans, and he's grinning like the Cheshire cat. Then he leans in, fixing my hair for me, like the gentleman he is, and I giggle as he steps back, allowing me to hop off the desk.

"Thank you, kind sir."

He waggles his brows, and with a satiated smile, I slide my skirt down, then shift into the closest chair, twisting it side to side, completely blissful as Loki chuckles to himself.

"What's so funny?" I ask.

"Nothing. Nothing at all. I rather enjoy this look on you," he chimes, leaning down and giving me a kiss on the lips.

But before we get carried away again, there's a knock on the door.

Loki pulls back from me, and I inevitably let out another small giggle. My face still feels flushed as he turns for his door.

"That was good timing," I quip.

Snorting out a laugh, he leans in, gently caressing the side of my face, then grabs the door handle, opening it to see none other than my brother, Theo, standing on the other side, absentmindedly staring at his cell.

My eyes widen in shock as he begins walking inside Loki's den without even glancing up to greet him. "Hey, bro. What's been going on? Any updates?" he asks while Loki turns to me, clear shock covering his face.

Glancing down, I spot my torn panties and instantly slide my foot out, my toes reaching the edge of the purple fabric, and edge them under Loki's desk out of view.

Closing the door behind him, Theo takes a seat on the desk, right where I was fucking his best friend moments before, and I can't fight back my grin seeing an obvious wet spot right next to him. Side-eyeing Loki, I try to hold in my giggles as he moves to his seat with a shrug.

"Not a lot to go on at the moment," Loki states.

Theo's nose crinkles as he sniffs the air. "It fucking stinks in here, man. You need to air this place out or get an air freshener or something. You seriously jerk yourself off in here too much. I can smell your loneliness all over this room." Theo chuckles from his own joke, then rests his hand on the desk, right in my wet spot.

My eyes widen as Theo grimaces, pulling his hand up to assess it. "Dude, you spill something weird on your desk? You're a fucking mess, Loki. You need to clean your shit up. Got a wipe or something?" he asks.

Loki's tightness in his throat is obvious when he glances across at me. I grimace, saying nothing, hoping we haven't just been caught after all these years.

Theo finally turns his head from his wet hand, his head jerking back when he spots me in the room with Loki. "Shit. Sorry, Bea. Didn't know you were in here. Actually, I didn't know you were still here at the clubhouse."

While Loki hands him a wet wipe, I smile. "Yeah, just helping out Loki with this stupid hack bullshit."

Theo takes it from Loki with a head bob and begins wiping his hands. "Yeah, that's why I'm here too. I've been doing some digging. I still can't get a fix on location, but I know the hacker is in California. Whoever this is, they're local."

"What the fuck? This is strange. Have you been able to figure out what they took?" I ask.

Loki spins on his chair and starts typing. "I can answer this one. From what I can see, the malware trace took personal information and the health history. Why the fuck they would want that is beyond me."

I let out a long breath. "Once our clients find out we've been breached like this, I'm going to be ruined."

Theo steps closer, wrapping his arm around me. "We won't let anything bad happen to you or the company, Bea. You've worked hard on this app."

Tears glisten in my eyes, not just because I am worried about the app but because I just had the most amazing moment with Alex after so long apart, but the same old problems are still here.

The second my brother entered the room, we started acting like nothing happened between us, even when he could literally smell that something just had.

I can't keep doing this.

Standing from my seat, my eyes meet Loki's and I shake my head, a realization flowing through him as I turn to face my brother.

Theo narrows his eyes on me. Concern etched across his face. "Bea, it's going to be okay. You don't have to cry. Loki and I will fix this, won't we?" Theo urges, snapping his head toward Loki.

A single tear slides down my cheek as Loki stands from his chair, puffing out his chest, preparing for the fight he knows is about to come. "That's not what she's upset about, Theo."

Theo furrows his brows, slumping his shoulders. "What's going on?"

Inhaling a deep breath, I take a step closer to Loki. He nods at me, giving me permission for us to finally do this.

I step forward, threading my fingers through Loki's. His grip tight on mine has Theo's eyes widen in shock while he stares at our joined hands. "The fuck is this?" he asks, his voice still semi-calm.

Loki tries to find the right words. "I love her, man—"

"Since. Fucking. When?" Theo roars.

Loki turns to me, a genuine smile crossing his face. "My whole damn life," he replies.

Theo lets out a stifled laugh, shaking his head. "And, what! You're telling me this isn't some new fucking midlife crazy thing you two are spinning on me?"

I turn to face my brother, stepping out in front of him. "This has been going on since we were kids, Theo."

The tension in his jaw drops, his eyes darken, and his nostrils flare. He cranes his neck to the side, letting out a subtle laugh. "I told you, Alex… never go near my sister. I fucking meant it."

Rolling my eyes, I go to step forward, but Theo pushes me to the side, stepping past me to get to Loki.

"Oh, geez," I mumble under my breath as Loki tenses, preparing to face Theo head-on.

"Theo, you're like my own brother, man—" But before Loki can say any more, Theo raises his fist, slamming it straight into Loki's face.

My hand slaps against my mouth in shock. "Theo, stop!" I scream. Loki slumps back onto his desk, his wireless keyboard falling to the floor beneath him, and Theo continues to pummel into him.

Tears stream down my face as I rush up behind Theo, jumping on his back to try to get him off Loki. But in his rage, my brother swings back, shoving me. I fly backward, my body hitting the wall, the sheetrock instantly denting with the hit, my body scraping along the broken wall as I fall to the floor with the pieces of debris falling on top of me.

"Bea!" Loki calls out, finally deciding to fight back. His fist lands hard on Theo's face, blood splashes across the wall as his body spins, and he drops to a knee, trying to catch his breath.

Tears pool at my chin as Loki rushes to my side, blood smearing his face as he kneels next to me. "Are you okay?" he asks, my hand sliding to cup his bloodied cheek.

"I'm fine. Are you?"

He chuckles. "This… this is nothing." He moves to help me up, but suddenly, Theo grabs Loki by the back of his club cut and throws him across the room. Loki slams into his monitors—it's like watching a whirlwind of chaos—his arms flailing up and knocking the picture of Jason at Halloween off the wall while the computer screens smash on the floor.

My heart leaps into my throat as the framed picture falls onto the desk, the glass shattering on impact as Loki drops to the floor with Theo about to lay into him again.

"Enough!" I scream at the top of my lungs, panting for breath as I stand and hobble over to Theo.

He towers over Loki but turns to me, his eyes glassy as he takes in the destruction he has caused.

Angry, I stare into my older brother's eyes and meet him—chest to chest. "Alex is your best friend, Theo. Us being together doesn't change that. But you putting a block on us being together has put a huge strain on our relationship for our entire lives. We were apart for thirteen years, both of us fucking miserable without each other because of the strain life put on us. The pressure you put on us. But by some miracle, we've found our way back to each other . Please don't be the roadblock for us again. Just let us be happy. We deserve it, Theo. We really fucking deserve this." Tears stream down my face as he forces the knot down his throat and takes a giant step back from Loki.

Theo scrunches up his face, looking at me like he's having a hard time believing me. "You really love him? He didn't take advantage of you?"

Snorting out a laugh, I lean past him and bend down to help Loki from the floor. Sliding my arm around him, he clings to me for support. "If anything, Theo, I took advantage of him. I'm the one who didn't realize what I had when I left for San Jose. We should have told you about us when we were younger. Maybe things would have turned out differently for all of us."

"Like what? You think you two would be living in the suburbs, white picket fence, married with two-point-five under your belt if you had told me?" Theo mocks.

I glance at Loki, and he looks back at me.

We both nod. "Absolutely," we reply in unison.

Theo's eyes widen in shock as if it's only just sinking in how genuine this truly is. He takes a step back from us, stumbling a little. "Oh shit! You guys really are in love."

Loki steps forward, placing out his hand for Theo to shake. "I'm sorry, man."

Theo grimaces as he rubs at his bloodied chin. "Oh, fuck! I'm a shitty brother, aren't I? I… I honestly had no idea you two…" He pauses. "If I did, I would never have said… I'm so fucking sorry you guys felt like you couldn't come to me with this."

Loki snorts, pointing to his bloodied face, and raises his brow. "You made it clear that this would be the result if we did."

Theo spins and begins pacing. "Fuck! I'm a fucking asshole. Let me get you a drink. Let me get you both a drink. I need a fucking drink. Let's go get a drink," he spits out in quick succession.

Giggling, I step up to my brother and pull him to me for an embrace. He's tense, but then he softens into the hug. "I love you, big brother. No matter what."

"Love you too, sis," he replies.

Then Loki steps up to us, wrapping his arms around us both. Theo and I chuckle as we stand in the mess of Loki's den, embracing. "I'm going to fix Jason's photo, too, bro. I'm sorry about that," Theo states while we're still in a three-way embrace.

"Appreciate it," Loki replies.

Theo inhales deeply, going to pull back, but then furrows his brows, looking at me strangely. "Why do you smell like Loki's den? That jerk-off smell?" he asks, then glances down at the wet spot on the desk, his eyes widening in disgust.

Loki and I both burst out laughing and turn, walking for the exit. "Let's get you that drink, brother," Loki states as Theo groans, curling his mouth like he wants to puke.

"Oh, for fuck's sake. Gross. Now I need disinfectant and something for my sudden nausea," he teases, making gagging noises as we walk out into the clubhouse. Everyone turns to look at the three of us, all covered in blood.

Alpha raises his brow in concern, but Loki gives him a head nod as we make our way for the bar. I need to fill him in on what I heard at the prison. But for now, I need to drink with my family.

Because this day has been…

Eventful.