I bolt upright in bed, listening.
Her soft whimpers and groans feel like needles poking my skin.
She’s having a nightmare.
Damn it! I knew he wouldn’t be able to wait. She wasn’t ready yet, but no. He had to know. He had to put his conscious at rest.
Selfish.
I knew him bringing her here wasn’t a good idea, but he didn’t want to listen to me. All she’s going to do is bring chaos and trouble. Two things I don’t want or need in my life.
Another scream.
She’s terrified. I throw the covers off and race across the room and down the hall. By the time I get to her door, Callum is sliding into her bed, wrapping his arms around her. Anger feels like molten lava coursing through my skin.
Not jealousy.
I don’t care about her. Not like that.
I just want her gone.
Out of this house and out of our lives.
But the more Callum gets attached, the more she intertwines herself into our family…
My family.
By the time I get downstairs the next morning, Callum, Emmett and Knox are sitting at the counter enjoying their drinks of choice.
“Good morning, gents.” I smile, running my hand down the handrail.
“Who died?” Knox asks, turning in his seat to look at me.
“No one. Why would you ask that?”
“You’re smiling. So clearly, something horrible has happened.”
“Shut the fuck up!“There’s my little cupcake,” Knox says, holding his mug of maple apple cider tea up, cheersing me.
“Everyone have a good night?” I ask, walking over to the coffeemaker to pour myself a cup. One of the best advancements mundanes have made.
Callum cuts his eyes at me because he knows I’m speaking directly to him.
“I told you it was too soon and to wait.” I take a breath and sip my coffee. “How is she?”
“She’s fine. She just had a nightmare.”
“A nightmare? Is that what you’re pretending it was? Is that what you told her?”
“Told me what?” she asks, walking down the stairs throwing her hair into a messy bun on top of her head. She’s wearing those fucking joggers again, with the tops rolled over several times, so they sit low on her hips, causing a gap between the tops of her pants and the bottom of her shirt.
Emmett tenses and starts to move.
“Stop,” she commands, holding her hand out and we all freeze. She doesn’t move and waits to see if anyone is going to say anything. When no one speaks, she continues, “You aren’t going to run away every time I walk into the room.”
She’s got a set of balls on her, that’s for sure.
“Everlee,” Callum starts, then stops when she holds her hand up to him.
