Chapter Three

Bailey

T he longer I lived in this house, the stronger a nagging feeling grew in my belly. It was only when we played these dirty games with each other that it went away. When they opened me up and fucked me raw.

Feelings of dread and uneasiness had followed me my whole life. Ever since my parents died. But it got worse the summer after graduation. All the parties I went to were nothing but a temporary distraction. They couldn't drown out the noise in my head. No amount of alcohol could chase away the darkness growing inside my chest.

I felt like I was slowly losing my mind. And I couldn't figure out why. But there was something inside me that wouldn't let me rest. Only the vile and depraved acts of Poe, Grim, and Saint could .

But with each passing day, my dread threatened to suffocate me. I was thinking more and more about the past. I had questions about the fire that killed my parents. Questions no one could answer. And I was too young to remember. According to the police report, the fire was caused by a gas leak. So how did I survive? It was perfectly clear on paper but still made zero sense in my head.

I let out a frustrated sigh as I flicked my windshield wipers on. The rain was coming down so hard I could barely see the road. The clouds shrouded the town in darkness, making everything gray and muted. It was strangely beautiful, though. And comforting. Like all of my melancholy had spilled out onto the streets while the town itself held it up, embracing every twisted thought in my head. It was ethereal, a perfectly gloomy day to search for answers.

I parked in front of the Wickford Hollow Library and made a mad dash for the entrance, cursing myself for forgetting my umbrella again. In just three minutes, I was soaked and dripping water all over the library's marble floors. The woman behind the front counter sneered at me and shook her head as I sloshed over to her.

"Hi. Um, sorry about the water on the floor."

She peered up through her pointy glasses and pursed her lips. "How can I help you?"

Of course, it would be too much to ask of at least one person in this town for any kindness.

I glanced down at her nametag. "Right. Well, Mary, I need to find some news articles."

She winced as if the sound of her own name on my tongue might kill her. "Computers are over there."

I glanced in the direction she pointed and shook my head. "No, I need to look at old newspaper articles." The internet could doctor anything. I had to see the originals.

Mary the librarian rolled her eyes and pointed to another corner. "We only have one microfilm machine left. You know how to use it? "

I nodded. "Yes, thank you."

She blew out a sigh of relief. This woman didn't want to spend a second longer talking to me. She was yet another person I made uncomfortable just by existing.

After about twenty minutes of looking through the microfilm, I gathered all the ones that contained articles from the year of the fire, and I even snatched up any that had the keywords Wickford Hollow and fire in them. Just in case.

As I loaded the first one into the machine, a group of young girls whispered and gawked at me as they passed. They couldn't have been more than fifteen years old. Jesus, what were these people teaching their children?

I flashed them a wicked grin. "You know it's not polite to stare at strangers," I called out a little too loudly. The girls giggled as they scrambled away.

Mary pressed her finger to her lips and shushed me. The bitch actually shushed me. I snickered before directing my focus back to the machine.

I loaded the film that had the actual date of the fire listed and scrolled through all the articles. There's never been a whole lot going on in Wickford Hollow so it shouldn't be too hard to find.

The Wickford Daily Hollow was no big city newspaper. The articles alone were sheer proof of that. I stifled multiple yawns as I poured through endless articles about city council elections and petty neighborhood squabbles. I couldn't believe how many times someone's cat got stuck in a tree. And how many times someone chose to write about it.

As I reached the end of the film, my heart sank. The fire that killed my parents was nowhere to be found. What the actual fuck? How does an entire house burn down, killing two people, and not one journalist published anything about it?

Fuck, I hated the people in this town. Just more proof that they didn't want the Bishops to exist. So they treated us like we didn't. Now I was the only one left.

After scrolling through the next film, I was about to give up and call it a day when I came across an article on the Wickford family. They founded the town and had more money than everyone in it combined. All the stuff I knew before. Blah, blah, blah .

Oh, wait, what the fuck is this? The second article mentioned that Raine Wickford built Wickford Mansion after moving here from Ever Graves, shortly after he wed a young socialite named Daisy Thorn. Mrs. Wickford . That's the bitch who poisoned my guys.

I scrolled through more bullshit about how rich they were and all the great things they did for the town, but I couldn't find any pictures. Fuck. I couldn't help my curiosity. At one time, she was the woman they worshiped. A part of me wanted to see what she looked like. Probably for the best, though. I'd only end up driving myself crazy comparing myself to her.

I spent another hour scouring through three more film cartridges but found nothing. I rubbed my eyes. I was nowhere closer to finding out anything about the day I became an orphan.

Fuck, last one. The microfilm came to life on the screen as I loaded it and the first article that popped up made my stomach turn. A picture of Wickford Mansion in flames splayed across the screen. Something twisted in my gut, sharp like a knife. Bile crept up my throat. This was from that party, the summer after graduation.

I scrolled down and skimmed the article, pausing on the last line: Several of the trespassers claimed to see someone buried under the rubble, but no bodies were recovered. My breath hitched. Someone might have died that night. Fucking hell. That could be why I was seeing and hearing things around the house.

I skipped to another article, my heart racing, that stated all partygoers had been accounted for and the body they saw was most likely a squatter. Jesus, these people were something else. They didn't even bother investigating any further once they decided the person killed wasn't one of their spoiled little rich kids. I gritted my teeth as I yanked the microfilm out of the machine.

Rage coursed through my veins as I shoved all the microfilm back into their drawers. The only thing I learned today was just how deep the hate in this town ran. And now I had even more questions. And a sneaking suspicion that someone didn't want anyone talking about the fire that killed my parents.

I sat in the driveway, the heater blasting, not quite ready to go inside. I didn't want the guys to know I was digging into my past. It's not that they wouldn't support it, it's just that everything was so perfect when I first moved in here. I didn't want anything to ruin that.

I gazed up at Wickford Mansion as the phone rang three times before she picked up.

"Hey, bitch, I was just about to text you," Maureen shrilled into the phone. "Should I get another tattoo before I leave for school? I want to give off an edgier vibe in my new life."

I chuckled. "Hell, yeah. You should get at least two more," I teased.

She snorted. "This is why you're my friend. What's up with you?"

I tapped my nails against the steering wheel. "Well, not to be a downer but… I just left the library."

Maureen feigned a gasp. "Oh, the horror!"

I snickered. "That's not the downer part. I've been looking into the fire that killed my parents."

"Oh, shit. Sorry, Bales. Fuck. I know that has always been in the back of your mind. So, what did you find? "

I sighed. "Jack shit. Apparently, no one thought it was newsworthy."

"Ugh, that's ridiculous. And shady as fuck," Maureen drawled.

I nodded into the phone. "Yup. So, I was wondering if you could talk to your dad. I know he's not allowed to share confidential stuff but maybe he remembers something. Wasn't he one of the first ones on the scene?"

"Of course, Bales," her voice cracked. "He hates talking about work but you're my best friend. I'll ask him tonight at dinner."

If anyone could get the sheriff to talk, it would be his favorite daughter. "Thanks, Maur. I just don't think I can let this go until I know for sure what happened."

"You got it, babe. We'll find out together."

"Okay, text me later."

I hung up the phone and gripped the steering wheel. Why was I like this? I should be enjoying my life right now instead of dwelling on the past. But it wouldn't let me go…

As winter loomed over us, the days were cold and gloomy in Wickford Hollow. But at night, the house came alive with energy. With a fire going in every hearth, bright chandeliers that lit up every room, and the scents of Poe's cooking wafting through the entire house, it was like our own private wonderland. It was enough to make me temporarily forget about the shadows that had crept into my bones.

I stood in the kitchen watching the three of them set the table, wondering how I got so lucky to find them. They were sexy as fuck, dangerous, and unpredictable, but they were also caring, sweet, and gentle when they needed to be.

Saint wrapped his big arms around me from behind. His cock stirred in his pants, pressing against my back. "You're killing me in this outfit."

I leaned back into him, letting my pleated skirt ride up a little. "I wore it just for you."

He pushed my hair to the side and kissed my neck. "I want you to keep it on when I fuck you."

I let out a little whimper as his hand pulled my skirt up higher. "Fuck… Saint."

"Does your pussy want to play, little fox?" he rasped.

I nodded as I locked eyes with Grim who was leaning against the counter watching us. "Yes… always."

"Good girl." Saint inched my skirt up around my waist.

Grim stalked over and my heart quickened. He licked his lips as he pulled my panties down, gazing up at me from his knees. " Always so wet for us ."

Saint grabbed my leg and lifted it up, spreading me wide. I gasped as Grim's thick lips wrapped around my clit. His tongue flicked over it as he sucked while he peeled my folds back with his fingers.

"Oh, shit," I breathed.

Saint moaned as he kissed my neck. "I love watching your pussy get eaten."

Grim planted soft kisses down my slit before shoving his tongue deep inside. I bucked into Saint who held me firm against him. "Uhhh," I cried out.

The pressure built in my core, sending spasms through my entire body.

Poe dropped the ladle he was stirring with and walked over. I quivered as he pulled the strap of my top down, exposing my breast. My nipple swelled as he pinched it between his thumb and finger. "You're such a good fucking girl for us…"

Saint's hands roamed my thighs while Grim devoured me. I shivered as he scraped his teeth against my clit. And I was done for .

" Fuck ," I screamed as an orgasm ripped through me.

Grim chuckled as I ground my pussy against his mouth. "Fucking hell," I murmured.

As they set me back down, my legs wobbled. Grim's saliva dripped down my thighs. He pulled my panties back up, wrapped his hand around my throat, and yanked me to him. "Come here, little fox."

My belly fluttered as he kissed me hard, shoving that magical tongue of his past my lips. The taste of my own pussy filled my mouth. And it was fucking hot as hell. He squeezed my throat and angled me back. "Don't ever forget who makes your pussy cry tears of fucking joy." He dragged his thumb across my lower lip. " Our dirty little girl…"

"How did you know that was what I needed?"

Saint pulled me to his chest, his eyes narrowing as he gazed down at me. "Because I know you, Bailey. Better than you think."

Something unspoken passed between us. He was the only one who could read me. Grim was easy to dodge when I didn't want to talk, he hated confrontation. And Poe just always saw the light in me. But Saint… he was impossible to hide from. And that feral look in his eyes told me he was coming for me soon.

As we crowded around the table, Poe dished us out heaping bowls of pasta. I covered mine in a thick layer of parmesan cheese before diving in. I hadn't realized how hungry I was until that first pillowy bite. I moaned as the spicy marinara sauce coated my tongue.

Saint raised an eyebrow. "Careful or I might insist you eat that naked."

I giggled and feigned a more dramatic moan on the next bite.

The guys burst out laughing as I egged them on. I loved this time of night so much. It was a space somewhere in between being a family and them reminding me that I was still theirs to defile and dominate .

While Poe and Grim play-fought over the last piece of garlic bread, Saint side-eyed me. "Meet me in the garden later tonight. Just you."

I nodded, swallowing another bite of pasta down along with the lump in my throat. Saint was the more serious one out of all of us. He was intense. And downright fucking scary at times. I knew from the minute I first saw him that he was going to push every boundary I had. He wanted me to surrender my vulnerability, my body, every fucking part of me.

I got away with distracting Poe. It was easy to flirt and charm him into submission. And Grim avoided the hard stuff at all costs. We had that in common. But Saint… he would push until he'd broken me wide open.

He dug his fingers deeper into my leg. "I want to hear you say it, little fox."

Fear and desire danced across my skin. "I will meet you in the garden alone tonight," I murmured.

Grim threw him another look that seemed to say, don't stir up trouble.

"What are you all colluding about over there?" Poe mumbled through a bite of bread, a smug look on his face for having beat Grim to it.

I took a big swig of my red wine. "Nothing you need to worry about, sweet Poe. Saint just wants some one-on-one time later."

"Aw, is our resident monster feeling a bit needy?" Poe teased.

Saint rolled his eyes over his glass of whiskey. "Says the man who gets separation anxiety when she's in the shower. Don't worry, I'll have her back in our bed before sunrise."

Grim snorted. "You're both adorable."

I giggled despite my nervousness about chatting with Saint later. It was rare that they fought for dominance over each other. We were equals, sharing each other from the moment we met. Poe just got off on getting a rise out of Saint. And I couldn't deny that it turned me on. The obsession and possessiveness were hot. Maybe that meant I was fucked up, but it was my truth. I knew it the second Poe dragged me out of my bed that first night. I hadn't been scared at all. I'd been craving it.

Poe burst out laughing. "Take as much time as you need. Just don't have too much fun without us."

I could feel Saint's body tense beside me. That told me all I needed to know. Something was bothering him, and he wasn't going to let me go to sleep tonight until he got it off his chest.