Page 11 of Smoke

If he ever finds out the truth, that Hawk runs the largest drug and weapons organization in the county… well, it won’t be because of me. And it’s not because I’m scared of Hawk or his stupidly hot friends.

For one, I’m not a snitch, and two, I just don’t fucking care enough. I’m never gonna be anything more in my daddy’s eyes than I am right now. Hawk getting exposed as a criminal ain’t gonna change that.

“Cherry here was nice enough to let us use her office for a bit. Just until we can sort out our staffing issues.” Hawk flashes me a toothy grin. Another one that doesn’t reach the cold dead steel of his eyes.

This time I do choke on my wine. I really need to stop sipping when he talks. I cough into my napkin. Motherfucker.

Scarrow rubs my back. “You okay, sweetheart?” He asks in a tone so condescending, it takes all of my willpower not to stab him with my butter knife.

My daddy’s eyes narrow. “Is that right? Well, that’s mighty fine of you, Cherry,” he says, his lips pursed. He takes another sip of milk and looks between us. “It’s been a while since you two spent any time together.”

My stomach knots.

“Not to worry, Father. Scarrow and I will keep them out of trouble,” Omen drawls. I want to wipe the smirk off his face.

“Please, call me Eli. And I ain’t worried one bit. You both are grown now. I trust you’ll behave as such.”

“Yes, sir.” My breath hitches when I realize that Scarrow’s hand is still on my back, except he’s moved it down some. With my chair slightly turned toward him, it’s not obvious to everyone else.

He rubs in slow deliberate circles, careful not to draw attention as he inches his hand down my spine. I shovel another bite of potato salad into my mouth as I try to ignore it. He keeps going until he reaches that little divot just above my ass. But I don’t dare react. I will always be the bad guy. Always the whore. So I keep my mouth shut and my legs closed. Just not closed too tight.

The second he realizes this, he knows he owns me at this table. He slips his finger inside the back of my jeans and I lurch forward. I feign another cough. “Sorry, I don’t know why I can’t drink like a normal person today.”

He withdraws his hand quickly but leaves it on my back. He chuckles. “You don’t get out much, do you, darlin’?”

My daddy glares daggers at me. “What in the world is wrong with you, Cherry? Are you drunk in my house? You know, I like to treat you all like adults, let you have a few beers, but I will not tolerate vagrancy, young lady.”

I feel my cheeks heating again. “I’m not drunk, daddy. I swear it. I just got a lot on my mind.” I push the glass of rosé away like it’s going to bite me.

“Aw, I think we’re just making her nervous. It’s been a long time since she’s had to act ladylike,” Hawk quips before gnawing into a crispy drumstick.

What the fuck? Oh, I’m going to let them have it later. “Yeah, that’s it. I’m so overwhelmed by all the glorious manliness, I can barely contain myself.”

“All right. Enough. Finish your supper. Then the lot of you can get going. I gotta prep my sermons for the week still,” Father Eli huffs.

We finish the rest of our food as quickly as we can shovel it in and swallow without choking for real. When Father Eli makes a decree, it’s best to follow it. His mood is already starting to sour, and I don’t want to be here when it’s completely turned.

He walks us out with a grumble, but makes us all swear that we’ll be back next Sunday to do it again. Great. Love that for me. I don’t understand why he insists on keeping up this stupid tradition. I’m sure he secretly hates it as much as we do.

Before I hop in my car, Hawk corners me between the door and the frame, boxing me in. “We’ll follow you back to the bar.”

I snort-laugh in his face. “Nah. It’s my night off. I’m heading down to the Wild Boar to get a drink. You three can do whatever the piss you want for all I care, just do it far away from me.”

“Cherry,” he warns.

I give him a little shove so I can get in and close the car door. But he keeps a firm grip on it. “It’s barely 7pm, Hawk. I’m going out. Just like I do every Sunday. I’m sure you boys can find something to occupy yourselves with until I get back.”

Omen and Scarrow nod at him, urging him to step away from car. As soon as he finally concedes, I close the door and start the engine. I roll the window down and light up a cigarette. “Don’t wait up.”

Hawk grits his teeth, his jaw muscle flexing. Why is that so hot? “I got eyes everywhere, Cherry. Remember that.”

Fucking prick. I put it in drive with him still standing dangerously close to the car. As I peel out, I stick my hand out the window and flip him off. Once I’m at the end of my daddy’s dirt drive, I glance back in the rearview mirror to see Hawk returning the gesture with both hands.

I can’t help but smile. A tingling sensation stirs between my thighs. The way I would hate-fuck that man… Ugh. I need to stop. We don’t play like that anymore.

He wants to ruin my life. I need to remember that every time my nipples get hard around him. But I can’t stop thinking about how that man makes me want to do filthy, devious fucking things. All three of them do.

I hadn’t thought about bending her over a table and fucking the sass out of her before. But after getting my hand halfway down her jeans, that’s all I can think about. I did it to get a rise out of her, which was fun to watch, but I also got a literal rise out of my cock. That was a fucking surprise.