But right now, I’m going to give in to the dark call and allow myself to brand her in one small way.
With that thought, I allow myself to cum. I catch most of it with my hand, the rest falling onto the mattress or splattering softly onto the woman on the bed. I breathe through the ecstasy, basking in its glow as the release flares up and down my spine.
When I’m utterly spent, I give myself a moment to compose myself. It takes a few deep breaths before I’m settled but when I am, an unusual weighted sense of peace rests on my shoulders. As the thrill of my release subsides, I take the warm evidence of it in my hand and let it hover over Blair’s mouth. Slowly, I tilt my hand and let my cum fall from my palm and fingers into her open mouth.
My cock remains at half-mast as I watch Blair’s mouth shut and she swallows instinctively. The sight of it excites me. A grin splits across my face at her answering soft hum.
This is going to be the best fucking arrangement of my life.
Chapter 8
Wesley
Ihave a silent house for all of twenty minutes before I hear the stirring of others upstairs.
During that time, I quickly prepare breakfast. It’s something I do every morning. Every move I make is automatic, my mind already piecing together the ingredients needed to make a filling meal. As I move around, my more immediate thoughts center around Ledger’s godchild.
I’m not sure what I expected when meeting the infamous hitman’s daughter, but a young woman covered in blood was pretty close, I suppose.
What I didn’t expect was how dramatically her presence would affect Ledger.
I’ve known Ledger since I was nineteen. We’d gone through basic training together, rose through the ranks, and did tours as a team. Ledger is unwavering in his determination to protect, a stone-cold bastard to his enemies, and always logical—qualities that earned my loyalty. When I got out, he saved my life againby bringing me here and giving me a fresh start. There’s no one I trustmorewith my life than Ledger.
That held true even after I stumbled upon Ledger’s dark secret and learned far more than I cared to know about him. I didn’t know he had a thing for his godchild, and quite frankly, I didn’t want more details after I found out. I had seen enough to avoid further questions. All I cared about at the time was that Ledger was unraveling at the seams, and he needed help.
Because Ledger put so much faith in me, it was easy to step in and cover up the consequences of his one, horrifically poor decision. That terrible secret, the one that had been trapped in a hidden room in the basement, was a one time lapse on Ledger’s part.
I thought that was all behind us.
Now that Blair’s here, I’m worried that’s not the case.
Last night, when I climbed into the truck after we picked up Blair, I could tell instantly that something had changed in Ledger’s demeanor. It was like an electrical charge gathering in the air before lightning strikes. It wasn’t the exhilaration of an impending strike that one might expect, but a strange, fatal finality that left the hair on my body standing on end.
This is… worrisome.
When the world feels like it’s falling apart, Ledger’s the pillar in the storm we all reach for. He’s the foundation that keeps this house standing. Rhett, Santi, and Ineedhim and his stability. If Ledger keeps that unstable energy up, I’m afraid our pillar might crack.
Thisis why I agreed to help him look after Blair.
I sigh as I consider the heavy responsibility I’ve been given. She is Ledger’s weakness. I understand that she’s in a dangerous position, and I’m more than happy to help out someone in need. But I’m not doing this for her. I’m doing it for Ledger. If I can help Ledger keep his sanity by running interference betweenhim and Blair, then I will. It will also save this poor girl from a fate worse than death. Maybe I’ll be able to save two lives by being a buffer of sorts. Whatever it takes, I’ll do it—no matter the toll it’ll take on me.
The sound of footsteps thundering down the stairs captures my attention, snapping me out of my musing. A few seconds later, I’m joined by Rhett who stomps into the room.
“Good morning,” I greet, looking over my shoulder at him.
Rhett’s face is perpetually pinched into a sour expression. I don’t take offense when he shoots me a look void of much emotion. He’s gone through a lot in his life. Sometimes our personal demons are stronger than our will to live. I have a sinking feeling that one day, Rhett will choose to listen to the demons in his head. While I do my best to be there for him, Rhett doesn’t want help or solace. So, until that day comes, I make sure to let him know I care about him in little ways.
Like, making sure I acknowledge him with my full attention or making him at least two meals a day so that his stomach is full.
“Hey,” he huffs out.
“Where’s Santi?” I ask him, checking my watch. “He’s usually chit-chatting away while I’m cooking and trying to steal something off my hot pan.”
The manager of The Shop, which is the small hardware store at the bottom of Gnarly Pine’s property, is also Rhett’s best and only friend. The two of them are inseparable. While Santi lives on his own downtown, he’s here ninety percent of the time hanging out with us. He’s family just as much as Rhett is.
“He’s runnin’ late,” Rhett replies. “He texted to say he’ll get to The Shop right on time, which means he’s probably just now getting out of bed.”
I nod as I place breakfast down in front of him. He looks down at my breakfast tacos, then to me.
