Desolation

“Go!” The man roars.

And then the car is screeching away. I turn to my sister, who is crying so hard there’s tears pouring down her face. She takes my hand and I allow myself to believe this might just be real.

“Are you really here?”

“I’m really here,” she sobs. “You’re safe. You’re free.”

I’m free.

I’m safe.

Oh God, I’ve been saved.

~*~*~*~

NOW - Pippa

“Pip!”

My eyes flutter open and the hard body beside mine shifts. Tyke and I fell asleep after I told him my story, and now it seems to be early evening because the room is dark. I shift, and Tyke doesn’t move; he’s still dead to the world. I sit up slowly, rubbing my eyes.

“Pippa!”

That sounds like Mack. I slide out of bed and tiptoe to the door, unlocking and opening it. “What’s wrong?” I ask, seeing Mack at my door, about to knock again.

“Oh, sorry to wake you,” he says, lowering his hand. “Your friend is here.”

“My friend?”

“Rainer?”

My eyes must light up, because Mack laughs. I rush past him and out into the main area, where everyone is drinking and chatting. Rainer is standing with Maddox, talking to him. He’s laughing, his face alight with joy. When he sees me coming towards him, his smile gets bigger. I launch myself into his arms and he holds me tightly.

“Hey there, pretty girl.”

“I’m so glad to see you again.” I beam as he lowers me. I look up at him. He still looks amazing.

“Me too. How are you?”

“Great. Better now you’re here. Will you stay a while?”

He looks to Maddox, who is smiling fondly at me. He shrugs, as if saying he doesn’t mind, and Rainer nods. “All right. I’m not busy tonight so I’m all yours.”

“You have to meet everyone.”

I drag Rainer around to meet everyone, and by the time I’m done, Tyke comes out of the room, looking sleepy and beautiful. His eyes are only partially awake, still heavy and half-lidded, and he’s wearing only a pair of faded denim jeans. He runs his hands through his hair and looks around until his eyes fall on mine.

“Yo Tyke,” Grimm yells. “You have a nice nap, princess?”

Tyke flips him the bird and everyone laughs.

I swallow as his eyes move to Rainer and he stiffens. He studies him, and me, and our hands clasped together. I tug Rainer’s hand and lead him over. When we stop in front of Tyke, the two men take each other in.

“Tyke, this is Rainer. My friend I told you about. Rainer, this is Tyke.”

Rainer stretches his hand out, and Tyke hesitates a moment before clasping his hand and shaking it, roughly.

“Heard a lot about you,” he grumbles.

I want to giggle at his display of rugged manliness. I love that he’s feeling jealous, that he’s protective over me. That’s how I want him to feel.

“You, too,” Rainer says, then turns to me. “You want a drink, Pip?”

“Yes, please.”

He disappears and I turn to Tyke, stepping forward. My hands go to his waist and I press my cheek to his chest. He sighs and wraps an arm around me. “Fuckin’ hate bein’ jealous.”

I giggle into his chest.

“Glad you find it funny.”

I look up at him. “You’re the only man I see, Tyke.”

His eyes flare with lust and he leans down, capturing my mouth in a kiss. It’s soft and gentle, but short. He pulls back and lets me go. “I need a beer.”

“Are you going to, ah, get dressed first?”

He grins. “No baby.”

Then he steps past me, and I can’t help the smile that stretches across my lips.

CHAPTER TWENTY

NOW – Pippa

“Hey, look!” Ash says, giggling over her beer. “That Raide dude is here.”

We all turn and see Raide standing in the doorway, talking closely with Maddox. Gosh, he’s still handsome—time doesn’t change that. I watch him, fascinated, wondering what his story is.

“He’s so hot,” Jaylah says, leaning in close. “It should be illegal.”

“Right?” Santana sighs.

I turn back to them, sipping my first beer still. I’m not a massive drinker. “He’s a nice guy, too. It seems.”

Ash rolls her eyes. “Nice.”

I laugh. “Nice is good, Ash.”

“No,” she scoffs. “Bad boy is good.”

“You would say that, when you’re married to the ultimate bad boy.”

She smiles and looks over to Krypt with love in her eyes. “Ultimate he is.”

“Ugh,” Santana groans. “Keep it to the bedroom.”

We all laugh and they turn their eyes to me.

“So.” Tana grins. “You and Tyke.”

I shrug, sipping my beer.

“Are you going to give us all the juicy details or do we have to guess?” Jaylah prompts.

I shift and my cheeks heat. “There are no juicy details.”

They all give me ‘as if’ looks.

“We walked in on him half-naked, which was a good look by the way, and you with sex hair,” Ash points out.

“I did not have sex hair!” I protest.

They all laugh.

Okay, so maybe I did.

“Come on, Pippi,” Tana pleads. “Let me be an awesome sister and tell me about it.”