Chapter 35

CHAPTER 35

KANE

A dira told us everything about her very busy night before passing out on the mattresses we put on the ground, in the living room. This rental isn’t large enough now that she’s staying with us. We need more room to be able to sleep with her, and a much bigger bed.

We’re nowhere near being accepted or forgiven by her, but the fact that she’s willing to lean on us when she feels like shit, after our track record is a start. Our little rabbit is snuggled in Demon’s arms, the non-bruised side of her face carefully resting on his chest.

“Adira can’t catch a break, and now she’s officially our keeper,” Jed rasps next to me, his face propped on his fist so he can stare at her. “I’m more angry about how hurt she is, than the fact that we have to be good boys for her.”

Snorting, I glance up at him, since I’m laying flat between him and Morris. “I don’t think you meant that to be as hot as I think it is,” I tease him.

Morris rolls his eyes and I tug him against me to lay on my chest. “Come on, you know I’m right. Burning the world down in her honor, while she rides my face would be incredible,” I whisper to him.

I’m not about to risk waking her up when she’s so exhausted.

“Yeah, that does sound fun, but where do I fit into this?” Morris asks.

“At some point, she’s going to decide she wants more than simply the hilt of a knife to get her off,” I remind him. “Our little rabbit doesn’t enjoy feeling vulnerable, and the sight of blood gets her hot and bothered.”

“I don’t think she’ll want any of that with me,” Jed murmurs. “Too much has happened.”

“A lot of things that she doesn’t know about,” I mutter. “She doesn’t understand why you were so set on following Dad’s orders.”

Right before we went on that mission for Dad, something happened between them, which made him even more set to make the auction drop. Even if he doesn’t want to tell me, he owes it to Adira.

“Am I missing something?” Morris asks. “Rock has always been heavy handed with Jed, which is why he rides us so hard to toe the line.”

“It’s more than that,” Jed says. “The punishments he puts me through are normal even when everything goes perfectly. It’s why I disappear sometimes. Dad makes me snap necks at his personal meetings, sells tickets to his men to beat the shit out of me for personal entertainment, schedules me for fucked up tactical trainings. Last year, he hired my services to gang leaders to clean up their messes. It doesn’t faze me anymore, as long as I can keep you out of it.”

I knew some of that, because of how battered he’d come back to whatever safe house we’re staying at sometimes, but didn’t realize it was because of our fuck ups.

I can step off task, do what I want, and thought that as long as the end goal was met that it was fine. I didn’t realize Jed was paying for it.

“Excuse the fuck out of me?” I growl. “Why didn’t you tell me that? Are you telling me that every time I gave into intrusive thoughts and blew something up without a direct order to, you’d get in trouble with Dad for that?”

“I’m so used to it, I didn’t think you needed to know,” he says simply.

“Kane, keep it together,” Morris grunts when I growl low in my chest. “He’s telling us now.”

“Kind of,” I complain. “What made this mission different?”

“Dad made an off hand comment that he’s bored and needs entertainment. He said the next time we fucked up, he’d put us on auction. While omegas can take a lot of damage,” Jed clears his throat in disgust as he has to stop, “so can alphas. The auction would be open to the government to see how much the three of us can take until we break. Dad said he’d pick up whatever is left of us at the end, simply killing us if we were too broken.”

“Wow,” I whisper. “You were pushing so hard, this makes sense now. You’ve always been protective, but this?—

“I chose us over Adira,” he says softly. “If I could do it all over again, I don’t think I’d do it the same. I keep wondering if that’s also why Dad pushed up the timeline for the auction. I know Ophelia occasionally gets raided and she has started a second warehouse for long term housing of her inventory. However, I don’t believe that’s the only reason for him to have moved things up.”

“She needs to know,” I sigh, turning to gaze at Demon and Adira. They’re completely passed out, breathing deeply. “They both do.”

“Fuck, I know,” Jed says. “I’ll tell her when everyone is awake later. Get some sleep.”

Unfortunately, sleep isn’t the easiest tonight, and it takes hours of listening to Morris’ deep breaths before I can slip away.

ADIRA

I’m staring at my notes and computer screen glumly, at the kitchen table, trying to study, but I’m not having a lot of luck with my head pounding as much as it is. I kicked Damon to the couch in the living room to study over there, because he was thinking too hard.

I’m cranky, okay?

Everything hurts, and this isn’t my space. At least at the shelter, I have my room carved out. It’s simple, but it’s mine. Nothing here belongs to me outside of the school items Duncan picked up for me. Aisling didn’t want to let him take everything, probably because that’ll make the room vacant and ready for someone else.

Am I ready to leave yet?

My mind is racing, jumping from thought to thought, and won't be quiet long enough for me to be able to work.

“Adira,” Morris murmurs, getting my attention.

“Yes?” I sigh. I’m not actually working, so I can’t be annoyed at being interrupted.

“Are you hungry?” he asks. “You haven’t had anything to eat today, and it may be why you can’t concentrate.”

“She kicked me out for thinking too loudly!” Damon whisper-yells, making my lips twitch.

“I stand by my choice,” I grumble. “I’m sore, and I have a million thoughts running through my brain, but only a few of them have anything to do with my biology exam.”

“If we added how loudly your stomach is grumbling, that may also be a factor,” Morris says gently, moving over to rub my neck and shoulders. Since my arm is in a sling, it pulls on them uncomfortably.

Dropping my head forward, I let him massage my shoulders. I shouldn’t be doing this, but I’m being a huge baby today. I’ll woman up soon, I just want to wallow for a few more minutes. Being injured sucks.

As his thumb moves over a very tender and tight tendon, I moan as he works on getting it to release.

“Fuck, I want you to make that sound again,” he whispers, not intending for me to hear.

He gets his wish as the tendons in my neck and shoulders begin to relax, and I whimper. It hurts but also feels really good. Unfortunately, my clit decides my neck is a direct path to it and begins to throb. This shouldn’t be this sexy, and yet.

“Please,” I keen, not knowing what I want as my pussy slicks. My body has no filter, and my cunt is a hussy. I don’t know what’s right or wrong anymore.

Kane keeps telling me those don’t apply to us, to do what feels right. Morris is trying so hard, but the only thing keeping my trauma from biting at me is the feel of the calluses on his hands. He may not be a completely safe person, but he’s not them.

I’m going to hold onto that.

“You smell so good,” he rasps, pain in his voice as he buries his face in my neck and sucks hard on it.

“Oh,” I gasp, enjoying the feeling of his teeth.

“I can’t do any more, you’re hurt and we aren’t in the right place to,” he says, wrapping his arms around me. “The fact that your body perfumed for me is a damn miracle. I will hold onto that tightly.”

“Morris,” I whimper, shivering because my body really wants more. Dammit. Squeezing my legs tightly together doesn’t help much in my leggings, I can just feel how much slick is ruining my panties and now my pants.

“What baby?” he breathes, his hands moving down my body to massage my legs. “Fuck, is that wet spot for me?”

“Yes,” I whine, my body practically twitching with need. “I know you don’t want to?—”

“It’s not about me, Adira,” he rumbles. “I hurt you in ways that are unthinkable. I begged you to bite me, so you wouldn’t constantly wonder if I was going to fuck you over, that’s not how any kind of foundation to a relationship works.”

“We’re not normal,” I try again. “The bite helped settle my need for control when I was spiraling. Your actions could tell me a million times that you are going to help me, but my brain would twist it to tell me it’s a lie. I’m sorry, my instincts are all fucked up.”

“They keep you alive,” he counters. “If you need to both see and feel it to believe it, then that’s what I’ll give you. I don’t want to keep shit from you. As much as you smell divine and I want to bury my face and my cock between your legs, I can’t. You’re in pain.”

“It’s not fair for you to tease me,” I sigh. “Edging is mean.”

“So is orgasm denial,” he says with a small chuckle. “If you want one, you’ll need to take care of it yourself. First, I’m going to make you a snack. Jed, get your ass in here!”

Blinking at the change in direction, I’m only slightly paying attention when Morris kisses my cheek and moves away from me. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him yell at Jed. Ever.

What’s going on?

“Where’s the fire, and why are you yelling at me?” Jed asks, walking into the kitchen.

“You need to have that conversation with Adira now, Sir,” Morris rumbles. Fuck, he shouldn’t be able to sound like that. Shh, stop, bad.

Jed takes a deep breath, eyes moving toward me in a very predatory-like manner.

“Is he making you ruin your panties?” he asks. “Why isn’t he on his knees licking up the mess like a good boy?”

“Fuck, this is revenge for yelling, isn’t it?” Morris mutters. “What was I going to do again?”

“Food?” I ask. I don’t even know what my name is right now, I’m not the best candidate to help him.

“Yes,” Morris says, blowing out a breath. It’s cute that he’s affected by Jed this much. I don’t know how long they’ve been together, but Jed’s dirty talk is on point. “Crackers and cheese, protein shake, or something else? You eat like a bird, Adira, so you’re going to need to point me in a direction.”

My stomach clenches in hunger, and I wince. “Protein shake works for now, please. I’m hungry, but my head still hurts a lot.”

“Okay. I’m yelling, Alpha, because you need to put your cards on the table. Tell Adira what you told us last night,” Morris says.

“More secrets?” I ask, somehow unsurprised.

“Yeah, but it’s one that the guys didn’t know either,” Jed says, coming closer. “Can I sit here?”

He tends to do things without asking, so I gaze at him for a long moment before answering.

“Yes,” I whisper.

Pulling out the chair, he sits down, glancing over his shoulder at the living room. “Damon, can you come in here for a second?” he asks.

“Adira, we’re not going to get any work done here,” Damon complains as he walks into the room. “What’s up?”

“I need to tell you about why I was such a dick about the auction,” Jed says. Once Damon sits, brow raised, his older brother winces.

“It’s not a surprise to anyone that Rock is an abusive bastard. I was raised to believe that being pulled from my bed in the middle of the night, to run laps in the rain, when I was six was normal. It escalated to survival trips in the middle of the woods, and eventually my brothers were forced to join me. The more difficult the test, the worse I knew the punishments would be if we failed.”

“This was how Rock conditioned us to be completely lethal,” Damon mutters. “I stopped feeling completely, while Kane gets lost in his mind to his inner demons.”

“The ones that tell him the explosives will make pretty colors?” Jed asks. “Pretty much. Unfortunately, Rock layered more to my responsibilities as the big brother.”

“Does this have anything to do with the way you’d sometimes join us later after we were done with missions?” Damon asks. “You always looked like you were in pain, sometimes your face would be fucked.”

“Mmhmm. I always brushed it off, or said it was Rock talking to me with his fists. Any time a mission didn’t go the way Dad wanted, he'd pull me aside,” Jed says. “He said that we’d either all be punished or I’d take it all. Since his punishments involve selling me to his men to beat the hell out of and other fucked up shit, I just took it. This time, Dad decided to take it even further.”

“What do you mean?” I ask. The wheels are turning in my head, because this all speaks to how much he protects his brothers and his pack. Fuck.

“I don’t have much to do with the auctions,” Jed explains. “He’s never ordered us to do something like this, and he wanted to make sure I couldn’t refuse. Kane was happy to blow shit up, and Damon never much cared about our missions as long as he didn’t have to be around omegas.”

“That tracks,” Damon mutters.

“He first told me Jeremiah had swindled him and to find out where the money was,” Jed says. “Your father never broke, Adira. Dad told us to torture and kill him, standing there, while Jeremiah begged us not to hurt you. My father told him to burn in hell.”

“After that, he pulled me aside, explained what he wanted us to do. Dad said if I fucked this up or failed to bring you to the auctions, that I would find my brothers and I for sale instead.”

“Ophelia doesn’t auction alphas,” I deny, eyes wide. “How is that possible?”

“Ophelia does whatever Dad says. When he’s dead, she’ll be without his protection, and I’m letting that part of the business go. I don’t want to be involved in it,” Jed growls. “There are government agencies that want to know how far an alpha can be pushed in order to make the best possible spies and mercenaries. Damon, Kane, and I would be put on auction separately.”

“We wouldn’t be together anymore,” Damon says softly. “No matter how fucked up things have gotten, we have never been apart from each other.”

“Exactly. Dad said that at the end, he’d simply put down whoever wasn’t functional enough to continue to work for him. We’re tools for his use,” Jed says. “I couldn’t allow that to happen simply because biology decided to throw a monkey wrench in the plans. I was wrong, Adira.”

“I’m just some omega whose father supposedly fucked over yours,” I remind him as Morris puts the drink in front of me. Glancing at him, Morris picks it up and takes a sip before putting it down again. I can’t help but huff out a laugh, because he did it to break the tension.

“Thanks, Morris. Your shake tax is on your lips.”

He licks his lips slowly, making my lips part as I bite them. “Rude,” I breathe.

“Morris, that’s inappropriate,” Jed says with a smirk. “I’ll hog tie you and spank you if you don’t stop. I’m having a conversation.”

“As long as Kane is giving me his dick after, that’s not the flex you think it is,” Morris says automatically, making me realize that this is an argument they have often.

Jed gazes at him in wonder as he walks to the sink to clean up. Has Morris been acting differently around him? They mentioned to me that he was suicidal after the auctions.

Rock Dresmond has a lot to answer for.

“The bottom line is, I chose them over you, and I’m sorry. It doesn’t change the fact that we fucked you over,” Jed continues. “I don’t know how to get past this, Adira, or if we even can. I let my fear give me tunnel vision, allowing nothing else to matter. As Damon’s scent match, you belonged to us too.”

“Past tense?” I ask, swallowing hard. I should have known this conversation was coming. I’ve avoided them for so long. Things are progressing with Damon, Kane is his insane self, stroking the answering psychopath inside me, and Morris is this quiet beta struggling to gain my trust and forgiveness.

“Did you know about this, Morris?” I ask suddenly.

“Rock’s conversation with Jed?” Morris asks. “I didn’t, but there was this desperation that made me feel as if I couldn’t fuck this up. No matter what, you had to end up on that stage. My instincts are to obey my alphas, we’ve been together for eight years. It’s hard to break through the need to keep them safe.”

“I should have ended it all after your heat, but Rock was blowing up my phone right after, wanting to know what our ETA was. The Kelly brothers were the best I could manage,” Jed says. “Our conversations were quick, because I was paranoid that our conversations were being overheard somehow. While Rock isn’t very tech savvy, he’s been known to employ people occasionally who are.”

“Paranoia isn’t rational, keeping the communication limited was smart,” Morris grunts. “We don’t know what Rock is capable of. That's why this rental is under another name.”

“The SUV has new plates and registration too,” Jed says. “Rock has been blowing up the Kellys’ phone, insisting that he’ll buy you back if they’re bored of you.”

“That’s not within their agreement,” I mutter. “I wonder what the reasoning is, unless he’s bored and needs someone to torture.”

“Or, someone is bugging him to make a move,” Duncan says, making me jump. “Drink your shake, Adira. Kane let me in as he was coming back.”

“I’m going to take a shower,” Kane says, popping his head in, appearing hot and sweaty. “Hey, little rabbit.”

“Hey,” I say, watching as he leaves.

“Adira,” Duncan says, teasingly.

Making a face, I take a big sip of my drink to show I’m listening.

“Did you find something out?” Jed asks.

“I did,” Duncan says. “Callum and I had to work together on this one, but Cassia was caught on a video in Kansas City with Rock. His head was turned away, however it’s definitely him. I figured out it was Cassia through an age progression application. That’s the first big break I’ve been able to find, and it’s a fucking miracle.”

“Rock doesn’t spend much time in cities, so he won’t be caught on video,” Morris murmurs. “Maybe Cassia insisted that he come to her? I’m beginning to feel she wasn’t on good terms with Jeremiah.”

“She’s going to be a loose end after we take care of Rock,” I say, yawning. “Ugh, I’m so tired.”

“I know,” Duncan says with a wince. “How much studying do you have?”

“Tons. Maybe school is a dumb idea,” I sigh. “My life is a shit show.”

“Don’t say that,” Jed says, surprising me. “Let’s regroup. Take a nap, and then we’ll make flash cards or something.”

“Are these your notes?” Duncan asks, coming around to look over my shoulder.

“Yeah,” I answer. “I’ve read the text, but between his notes and the slides, the teacher says he pulls his questions directly from this.”

“Professor Royal is sneaky,” Damon says.

“Alright, then we’ll make flash cards with Damon while you take a nap. Finish your drink and go,” Duncan says. “You’re not going to be able to get anything done without some sleep.”

“Okay,” I say, refusing to argue. I’m exhausted and sore, and ready to throw in the proverbial towel.

I’ll try again later.

DAMON

Wednesday

Walking into class with Adira, I sigh as I glance over at her. She’s wearing a hooded sweater, under her coat, to hide her face, which is still pretty swollen and jeans, attempting not to attract attention. I swear Professor Royal somehow sees everything, so I don’t think that’s going to work.

“Please be sure to spread out,” Professor Royal calls out, and I take a seat toward the middle, three seats away from Adira.

The exams are handed out, and I go through it steadily, finding that the work spent creating flash cards was worth it. Duncan and Jed went through them with Adira and I until we knew all the answers in our sleep.

They did the same for our other exams without complaint, and Kane joined to help. Morris kept us fed with snacks and drinks, watching as we worked.

Callum came by to see what we were doing, and ended up helping Morris make dinner. I know the beta worries about how little Adira eats, but Callum helped him with food ideas.

They made a rosemary sweet potato chowder that tasted amazing, and the little omega ate every bite happily.

None of this is normal, but all I want is for Adira to be cared for and adored. She has that in spades. The last few days have been more of the same, and her head is no longer as sore.

Duncan told us before he left that Cian has every man in the families, looking for the hired goon, who got away the night Adira was attacked. The families decided it was the best gesture of good faith they could extend, to show they protect their own.

Adira is being accepted into the Minnesota families for better or for worse.

I’m so used to being on the fringes of mafia society, I haven’t paid attention to how the established old mafia families work. All I know is that if they fuck her over, none of them will be safe. Adira can happily hold my leash, as long as I can destroy those who hurt her.

Finishing my exam, I glance at Adira, finding she’s already gone. Frowning, I grab my bag and stand, walking my test up to the professor.

“Hey,” he hisses, leaning forward. He appears angry, cluing me in to the fact that he’s seen Adira. “Did you do that to her face?”

“No. She got jumped by men who planned to sell her at the auctions,” I say honestly and softly. It’s not a secret per se, but it’s no one else’s business, either. “Adira was walking home from work and fought them off.”

“Why is she here?” he asks, eyes wide. “Adira should be at a hospital.”

The last name clicks for me as I realize who saw her at the hospital. “She was seen in the emergency room by a Dr. Royal last weekend, Professor,” I tell him, waiting for it to click.

“Good,” Professor Wilhelm Royal says with a nod. “I would have given her an extension for this exam, as would everyone else. Adira was shaking with exhaustion just now.”

“Shit,” I mutter. “She has exams all day. Her professors piled them all up, giving her the other class off. Adira doesn’t ask for anything. She pushes too hard, and feels she needs to prove herself.”

“If she can fight the men off who did that to her, I hope she killed them as well,” my professor growls. “I don’t expect an answer, but I’ll take a nod.”

Holding his gaze, I slowly incline my head as minutely as possible.

“Good,” he mutters. “Don’t just stand there, go find the girl.”

Spurred into action, I walk out of the auditorium, pulling out my phone to call her.

Answer, little omega.

“I’m okay,” Adira says when she picks up. “ My head is hurting me again, so I picked up some ibuprofen. I’m just going to hang out in the library between exams.”

“I have one more exam today, so I’m coming to join you. Being alone isn’t an option, beautiful,” I tell her. “I even promise to think to myself.”

The best laugh floats over the line as I begin jogging toward the library.

“I don’t know about all of that, but you may catch me drooling when I take a nap in a comfy corner,” she teases.

“Then I’ll watch you,” I grunt, hanging up as I see her outside the library. Adira turns to face me as my fingers tangle in her hair and I brush her lips with mine.

“I think I’m going to have trouble leaving you alone anywhere, Adira. Be prepared to add extra stalkers to your dance card.”

“I can maybe handle a light sway,” she murmurs, her fingers holding onto my coat. “Anything else may be asking for trouble.”

“Little omega, you are trouble,” I growl. “Time to go inside.”

Adira smirks as she turns and leads me into the stacks where I find a very comfortable couch by a small window. My girl really does find the best study spots. It’s a good thing I’ll be following her everywhere from now on.

We’ve had too many close calls, even if none of them have involved the school campus.