THIS FUCKING TIT head gets on my last nerve at the best of times, but right now he’s rubbing me up the wrong fucking way. One more wrong word and I’m going to plant my fist in his face. He rolls his eyes at me. ‘Yeah, carry on rolling them fucking eyes, doc. You might find a brain back there!’
‘Oh, I’m sorry, who’s the doctor here? Do you have a medical degree hanging on your wall somewhere?’ he scoffs like the pompous prick that he is.
‘I’ll have something hanging from the wall alright. You carry on, and I’ll hang you right there from your cock and balls, how about that?’ I tell him gritting my teeth. Fucker is pushing me.
‘Number one: I do not treat humans. Number two: I most definitely do not tend to kitsunes,’ he spits the word like its poison.
‘Oh I see, so you want me to stop healing her, so she dies along with her baby, yeah?’
‘I didn’t say that.’
‘Could have fucking fooled me!’
He cracks his neck and pulls at his shirt collar uncomfortably. I pull my phone out of my pocket and dial Jared. He picks up on the third ring.
‘Yeah?’
‘With the doc in my room. Need you here. We’ve got a problem.’
‘Won’t be a minute.’ He ends the call. Doc is looking at me pale-faced now. Yeah, fucker, I just called the alpha. He loosens his tie now and pops another button. Jared knocks and walks in. He has Devon with him making Maiya stiffen her back like a fucking rod, and as if her face could get any paler, all the colour drains from it. Maiya and Devon were tight, and I can tell it cuts Devon deep to see Maiya this way, and the fact that she holds Devon responsible, cuts even deeper. I look right into Maiya’s eyes, and I’m trying to tell her that I have to tell this, but the look she gives me is like I’ve betrayed her. But if doc won’t treat her, and is suggesting that all treatment stops, Jared has to know.
‘What’s the problem?’ he asks, and immediately they both look to Maiya, who turns away and curls herself into a ball against the headboard.
‘Doc here is a fucking wanker,’ I tell him, and Jared’s brows shoot up in question. Doc stutters and starts a comeback, but I eyeball him, and he shuts the fuck up. I push my fingers in front of his eyes, telling him that he’s this fucking close to getting his arse kicked. He doesn’t say another word. Pussy. ‘He’s decided that he doesn’t treat humans or kitsunes for that matter, and said we’ve to stop all treatment of Maiya.’
‘Huh, that so?’ Jared asks the doc. He looks calm, but I know him just about better than anyone. His female is half kitsune. I know where this convo is going to go.
‘Well, in all my years as a doctor, I’ve never been asked, nor would I want to treat either, especially a kitsune—until her,’ he spits pointing at Maiya. I twist his fucking finger back, causing him to stand on his toes, then I release him pushing him backwards.
‘Okay. First of all what the fuck have kitsunes got to do with treating Maiya?’ Doc starts to answer but Jared puts his hand up, and the doc’s jaw clasps shut with a snap. ‘Second of all, you’ve been treating her, so finish the fucking job. And third, you treat whoever the fuck I tell you to treat, or you’re done. You feel me?’ Doc nods, and I grin at him over Jared’s shoulder. Fuck you very much, prick. Jared looks at me, questioning if I need anything else. I just smile my thanks. He leaves the room, and Devon reluctantly follows with a longing look over her shoulder at Maiya, who is still curled up against the headboard. Doc stares at me for a beat of a second and then gets back to work, putting his shit away.
‘What about other tests? STD’s and such?’ I ask him. He’s all flustered and red-faced since his roasting.
‘I need blood samples, and I need urine,’ he says still packing his shit up.
‘So do it then!’
‘Right, yes. I’ll get the vials. Just a minute.’
I stand with my arms crossed, watching his every move. Like I said, I didn’t like this fucker anyway. Today he didn’t help his case one iota.
‘Some of the tests require a wait before testing so I cannot do them all today.’
‘Just tell us what you can do now, and we will go from there.’ Maiya hasn’t spoken in a real long time now, and it is pissing me off that she feels uncomfortable around this prick.
‘Sweetheart, everything okay?’ She faces me and is once again full of tears. I wipe them away on instinct, making her eyes widen minutely. ‘Come on, let’s get this done, yeah?’ I help her to sitting, and the doc sets his little kidney-shaped dish with little vials in on the side table. Then, without warning, he yanks on her arm and flicks the veins inside the elbow, making her flinch in shock. I growl in frustration and watch as he gulps.
‘Chances are this won’t show anything up anyway if she’s still having your blood because we don’t suffer them like humans do.’
‘We can still get them though. Why else do we get checked?’
‘There have been instances after intercourse with humans, but they are rare and tend to clear up quickly. Like our healing, our immune system is far superior.’ Thanks for the education, doc.
‘So when will these tests come back?’
‘I can have them done tomorrow. I will head back and take them straight to the lab.’
I nod my approval and look at Maiya. It’s like she’s gone somewhere else. ‘How long ago was it?’ he asks her, but she doesn’t respond. I don’t even think she realises he’s spoken to her.
‘When. Were. You. Raped?’ he asks this time like she’s five years old, and I see her flinch at his words. My reaction is instinctual. I shove him in the chest and into the wall. I hear Maiya’s sob behind me, and I want to hit him so bad. I grab him by the scruff of his shirt and get all up in his face. Our noses touching.
‘Listen, motherfucker. You speak to her like that again, and you’ll be cleaning your arse with your face, you understand? Treat her with some fucking respect!’
He nods, and I still want to hit him. But he’s still got shit to do. I drag him back over, and Maiya is looking at me like I just grew a second head. I don’t like it. At all. I crack my neck, fold my arms over my chest and watch as he takes the blood from her arm.
‘Do you know when—’
‘Whenever I was taken was the first time, and the last will have been the day I was found.’ My heart sinks a little bit more, and I want to kill some kitsunes. I clench my jaw and hear my teeth grind together, making her look up at me with tears in her big blues again. I take her hand in mine and squeeze it for reassurance, and she gives me a small half smile. It is going to be a long day and night, waiting on those results for her. The doc finishes up, and he leaves with a urine sample and bloods. I feel like kicking him right up his arse when he leaves, but I don’t. Maiya is looking at me, so I pull my tongue out at his back like a kid would, making her giggle. Which is exactly the reaction I wanted. I need to lighten the mood.
I sit on the bed beside her. ‘You wanna get out for a while?’
Her head turns so fast I’m surprised she didn’t pull her neck out.
‘With you?’
‘What do you mean with me? Of course with me.’
She giggles again, and my heart feels a little lighter at the sound. She gets up from the bed and walks to the bathroom,
‘Where are we going?’
I feel my face split into a grin. ‘Wherever you want, beautiful.’
She rummages through her stuff which is still in a holdall by the drawers. I make a mental note to rectify that later. I wait while she gets ready in the bathroom and I decide that maybe the forest or somewhere like that would be good. Then again, she’ll probably fucking freeze out there. When she comes out, I’m stunned. She’s dressed in skinny jeans, and fuck, they make her look good. It’s the first time I’ve seen her in proper clothes. She has on a black tee that covers her shoulders, and her hair is down and swiped across her right shoulder, hiding her scars. I cringe a little as she fiddles with her hair. She has a patch missing, but you can hardly tell now. It’s obvious she feels uncomfortable though.
‘You look great,’ I tell her because it’s the truth and she needs to hear it. She gives me an awkward little smile that tells me she thinks I’m full of shit. I ignore it. ‘So, you any idea where you wanna go?’
‘Umm, maybe some lunch? Or I’d be happy just to go for a walk. It looks like it’s a nice day?’
‘How about both?’ I ask, and for the first time, I see her smile reach her eyes. ‘You ready now?’
She nods.
‘Well, let’s go then,’ I tell her opening the door, which she almost skips through. How long has she been cooped up in here again? Shit, I’m an asshole. I walk her out through the kitchen, and I don’t stop to listen to the mutters and whispers I get as we walk through. They can think what they like of me—today this girl needs a break. ‘Okay, so what first? Lunch? I can always eat, no matter what time it is, but I can wait so…’
‘I could eat now,’ she says making me grin.
‘Food it is then. What do you like? Any preference?’
‘You know what? I could really eat a cheeseburger and fries.’
I make a noise in my chest, and she giggles. ‘Girl after my own heart,’ I tell her. I love a good burger. ‘There’s an American diner in town, you ever been?’ She shakes her head no. ‘They do a mean pecan pie too. Oh, and the milkshakes are to die for. You fancy that?’
‘Yeah, I’m in.’ She smiles. We drive down in silence. It’s not uncomfortable though—she just seems to be enjoying being outside. We pull into the car park, and I go around to help her out of the car. Although she doesn’t need it, she gets out just fine, and the look she gives me tells me she can do just that too. So I push my hands into my pockets, and we walk inside.
***
Maiya doesn’t eat a great deal, and what she leaves, I polish off no problem. I hate wasting good food. Besides, with my metabolism, I can eat for ten men. Easy. I watch her as she takes in her surroundings and whenever anyone passes, she discreetly hides the right side of her face. I sigh. Will she ever feel any better about this shit?
‘You really should eat more you know? With the baby and all.’ I wish I could have tied my tongue in a knot and not let those words slip from my lips because her face shows every ounce of pain in that second that she must be hiding from view.
‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.’
Her eyes close and she seems to compose herself before she looks at me again.
‘I’d really like to have a normal day,’ she says, and her voice cracks a little. I smile and reach for her hand again, just brushing the tops of her fingers before she pulls them away.
‘No problem,’ I agree. ‘You done here or you want a shake? Coke? Coffee?’
‘No, I’m fine thanks. I couldn’t have another thing. I’m stuffed.’ I pull out my wallet, and she pulls out a cash card. I shake my head at her.
‘Nah, my treat.’ She puts the fucking card down on the table anyway and seeing we’re ready to leave, the waitress comes across. I push the card back towards Maiya, and she shoves it right back. The waitress doesn’t know where to look. ‘I said, I’m paying,’ I tell her again.
‘No, I will pay for my own at least,’ she demands and if I could tan her arse right now, I would, for making me look like a chump.
‘First date?’ the waitress pipes up. And I see Maiya’s eyes go wide like saucers as she gets up and starts heading for the door. I flick some notes at the waitress and pick up Maiya’s card.
‘Nah, just friends,’ I tell her, and she scribbles her number down on my receipt, which she gives me as I’m walking away. I take it and crumple it into my pocket. I’m too concerned about following Maiya right now. I get outside, and she’s waiting by the car, arms folded and looking down at her feet. ‘What the fuck was that?’ I ask her as I near.
‘What?’ she asks looking at me like I’m asking the most ridiculous fucking question known to man.
‘Come on, sweetheart. Don’t play dumb with me. The mention of a date and you go running—give a man a fucking complex acting like that,’ I huff spitting my dummy out like a toddler.
‘It’s not… Oh, forget it.’
I get in the car and push her door open, leaning over. ‘Nah come on, spill… it’s not what?’
‘Nothing.’
I tilt my head on the side. Mocking her, I quirk my eyebrow and twist my lips.
‘Nothing?’
She looks at me and smirks. ‘Yes, nothing. You were arguing, so I let you pay, that’s it.’
‘Okay, sweetheart, if you say so.’
She twists in her chair and looks me right in the eye. ‘Yes, I do say so!’
I don’t realise what I’m doing till it’s too fucking late and I’m leaning right in. My nose is touching hers as she moves forward a fraction too. And then my lips are pressed to hers, and my hand moves up the side of her face, pulling her forward. I can still taste the strawberry shake I had, but it’s completely forgotten as I taste her tongue against mine. One stroke of her tongue, and then she’s pulling away. Shit. She’s trying like hell to get the door open, and for a second I’m stunned and don’t move.
‘Maiya, look, I’m sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking, I just… I… I’m sorry okay?’
She turns around and looks at me, and her eyes are filled with tears again. I don’t know what the fuck else to say. She nods, and I look away, start the car and I drive home.
‘I don’t want to go back there,’ she says when I’m halfway,
‘You have to. You know that.’
‘I can just go back to the dorm. I’m sure I’ll be fine.’
‘You’re sure? Oh, okay then, but only if you’re fucking sure,’ I tell her sarcastically. ‘Don’t be an idiot just because I kissed you—won’t happen again.’
‘That’s not why, even though you can’t do it again, that’s not the reason.’
‘Sure it’s not.’
‘Listen. Buddy. I’ve been cooped up in that fucking prison for I can’t remember how long. It’s not all about you, although I’m sure you’re used to being the centre of the universe. You’re not the centre of mine.’
‘Well, fuck you too. I am the centre of the universe and fuck you for thinking different,’ I mock. Fucking thanks I get—for taking her out and trying to make her feel good. Won’t happen again. Fucking females. I pull onto the drive and watch as she jumps out of the car before I’ve even parked it. And she storms right through the kitchen. When I come in, all eyes are on me. ‘What?’ I ask.
‘The fuck was all that?’ Harrison pipes in, gesturing towards where Maiya has left the room.
‘Nothing. Nothing at all.’ I head to the surveillance room. I check and double check the monitors and go through more fucking flight lists. I’ve gone through thousands already, and I couldn’t find one clue as to which flight the kitsune bitch had taken. I had in my hand, a printed copy from a private airfield, showing everything up to two weeks after we found Devon. This is my last-ditch attempt since I’ve been through every flight manifest in every airport in the country over a two-week period. It makes my fucking head hurt. I stare at the piece of paper that has come via fax. I’d requested this info over a week ago, pretending to be a private detective and it has only just come through. I stare for a minute before I check it again. I can’t believe I’ve finally found it. I need to check with Jared, although I have a fucking feeling that this is the woman we want. It is an American passport that I’m looking at, and she is the only woman in the group. All the others are men. I have the names and copies of their passports as they had been scanned in—an extra security measure for small private airlines. I scrunch the papers in my hand and hightail it back to the kitchen. Harrison is stuffing the remaining piece of sub in his mouth, but he stops at the sight of me, raising his brows in question.
‘Jared?’ I ask. He points towards the library, and I hightail it down there. I find him in the wingback chair with Devon in his lap, sucking face. I clear my throat since I didn’t think to knock and just barged in. Jared doesn’t immediately pull away like I expect. Instead, he slowly disengages his mouth from hers and then kisses her on her lips, not once but twice, then again on her nose.
‘I’m sorry for disturbing your mouth fucking but—’ I stop as he kisses her again ‘but—’ I start again.
He growls. ‘Better be fucking important, Brad. I’m sick of you cock blocking me,’ he says making Devon giggle and hide her face against his neck. He moans a little as she does, and I realise that she’s not hiding her face. No, she’s sucking on his neck. Fantastic. Their arousal is thick in the air, and that scent in my nose isn’t good. It’s like watching porn. Instant wood. I clear my throat and walk forward, wanting to get this over with fast. I practically push the papers up Jared’s nose.
‘Think I’ve found her.’ I don’t need to specify who, there is only one ‘her’ we are looking for. They both stop what they are doing and suddenly look really serious. I grin at finally having their attention. Devon takes the papers as Jared stands them both up. Her face pales a little, and their eyes meet. I don’t need spoken confirmation, that’s enough.
‘When?’ Jared demands.
‘A week after we found Devon,’ I tell them, Jared growls out his frustration, and I’m still waiting for Devon to speak. I haven’t seen her look vulnerable since she came back from those bastards, but right now, she does.
‘I want everyone in the kitchen now. Go and round them up,’ he tells me, and then he addresses Devon. ‘Baby, you okay?’ I hear him ask as I leave the room.
I get a message out on all the radios for everyone but the guards running the perimeter to meet back in the kitchen. The kitchen is full to bursting and Imogen is having a fit trying to get shit out and on the table for everyone to snack on. Jared walks in with Devon following. Everyone stops talking, and he stands at the head of the table.
‘Brad’s identified the bastards we’re looking for. We know where they landed and when, so we’ll be taking a trip. Howard, I need you to make contact with the North American pack and tell them we’re flying first thing tomorrow. It’s not up for negotiation—we’re coming. Harrison, speak to my father, advise him that we need bodies here to watch the females.’
He nods, but before he can leave the room, Devon speaks up, stopping him.
‘Harrison, wait. Jared, I’m not staying behind. I’m going with you.’
He shakes his head no. I fold my arms across my chest and wait. It’s like watching a fucking soap opera, watching these two. It’s comical. Jared: the alpha male being fucking pussy-whipped by his female. The girl has grit. I’ll give her that. She marches to the beat of her own drum and doesn’t fucking apologise for it. And all Jared can do is agree. His face is a picture. His lips flatten out, and I swear I can hear his teeth grind together.
‘That’s not up for discussion, Devon.’
‘I beg to differ, Jared!’
He sucks in a deep breath and his eyes close as he blows it out through his nose.
‘NO,’ she starts to protest again, and he slams his fist down on the table, at which point all argument blows out of her on a long sigh. He nods at Harrison to leave the room.
‘Brad, what’s that guy called who you’ve been training?’
‘Mitch?’
He nods. ‘He up to speed on the tech here?’
I nod my head in a definite yes. ‘Good. Because I’ll need you with me.’
I grin. Then suddenly realise the flaw in that plan.
‘Um, if I go I’ll have to take Maiya.’
He shakes his head and starts to protest.
‘Jared, I can’t stay away from her. I can’t leave enough blood to keep her going for however long were out there. We can’t be sure how much she needs at the moment.’
‘I thought that shit was all sorted?’ he asks frowning at me.
‘It was. Well, we thought it was, but turns out she’s gonna need more, and we can’t be sure exactly how much. If she doesn’t have enough, she could die.’
‘We’ll find another donor,’ he tells me, and I find myself losing my shit at the mere thought of someone else’s blood in her veins. I’m about to make a fool of myself and say just that when Zoe pipes up.
‘Jared, that wouldn’t be a good idea. Remember her reaction initially?’
Phew. Thank you, Zoe. Saved me a tantrum. Of course, he can’t argue with that logic—she went into a seizure when she first had my blood. Can’t risk that again. Devon is still pouting on his right, but I see her looking at me. I mean, she looks at me all the time but this is different. She’s studying me—trying to work something out. I can see the cogs turning behind her eyes. Then she smiles. I look around, like a prick, wondering who the fuck she’s smiling at. I haven’t done or said anything that would make her smile. Nope, just me. I smile back awkwardly so she knows I’m confused, and she shakes her head, still smiling. Okay, women are weird. Fact.
‘Fuck me. Fine! Maiya goes.’
‘Well, if Maiya goes, does that mean Zoe goes too?’ Devon asks. Jared nods as he rolls his eyes and takes in a deep breath. ‘Well then, I’m going. You can’t make me stay behind if all the other females are going. It’s not fair. Besides, I know the place, you don’t,’ she says as she prods him in the chest.
Howard comes in then. ‘North American Alpha weren’t too pleased with the short notice but said they would accommodate us. I just need to confirm the numbers.’
‘More than fucking necessary,’ Jared mumbles and Devon’s face splits into a grin, making me fucking smile. Pussy whipped.
Arrangements are made, flights booked. And the decision is made to close up the house since we are all going. The extra men too. After all, we don’t know how many we will be facing when we got there. The American pack will also give us men, seeing as though we are essentially ridding them of an enemy. They have to. That’s how it is. Now I just need to break the news to Maiya. I’m not entirely sure how to do that, so like a coward, I go in search of an empty room to contemplate it. Empty rooms at the minute though, are hard to come by. But since everyone is in the kitchen I seek out the formal dining room. It never gets used. And bingo—empty. Halle-fucking-luiah.
***
Maiya
I’m reeling about that kiss. I mean, what the hell was he thinking? I’ve just been tested for every sexually transmitted disease known to man including HIV. And I’m pregnant. And he kisses me. I may not be a genius, but I’m pretty sure things are passed via bodily fluids. He’s such an idiot. I’m sitting on the edge of the bed, contemplating all of that, when he walks in. I’m about to chew his ear, but I stop because he looks happy. Great, he’s pleased with himself.
‘So we need to get ready. We’re leaving for the States first thing, and you have to come because I’m needed there.’
‘What the hell, Brad? What… I… why?’
‘Got a lead. We need to go as soon as possible,’ he says as he begins rifling through his draws, pulling out clothes. From the wardrobe, he grabs a holdall and starts to pack. I’m still sitting on the bed digesting what he’s just said. A lead. On what? Who? And where? I’m about to ask when he clicks his fingers in front of my face.
‘Maiya, you got a passport?’ I nod because I do but I don’t think I have it here.
‘I use it for ID. It will be in one of my clutches in my room.’
Sighing he pulls his t-shirt up and over his head.
I’ve seen him do this before, but I was scared… terrified actually. Now I look at his back and watch as his muscles flex and pull as he takes out a new tee and puts it on. I feel my face heat, and then I feel hot and dirty. A shiver runs down my spine at the feelings I’m having. I shudder all over, and I’m just about to get up and run for the bathroom when he turns and starts speaking as though what’s going on in my body has no effect on him or the rest of the world. I mean, why would it? It’s me that’s broken. Me that’s…
I snap out of my state as he clicks his fingers in my face again. ‘Seriously, will you stop that?’ I snap. ‘What the hell do I have to go for anyway? I’ll just go back home.’
‘Oh, you will? Oh, okay. Not like you need me to keep you alive or anything huh? No, you go home, princess!’ he says all calm and sarcastic. Princess! Gah. I could punch him in the nutsack.
‘I hate you,’ I tell him, and he mimics me in a stupid high-pitched voice.
‘Real mature, princess, real mature,’ he mutters.
‘So, I have no choice then? You are going to make me go with you?’
‘No, you have a choice. You can stay here and hope you don’t die without my blood. Or you can get your whiney arse up and pack for the trip, yeah?’
Oh, I really want to punch him in his balls right now. ‘Fuck you,’ I mutter.
‘Superior hearing, sweetheart. Fuck you, too.’
I’m angry because he makes me feel… I’m not sure, but it’s dirty and wrong, and I don’t want that feeling anywhere near me. I hate it. I hate him. No, that’s a lie. I don’t hate him, not at all. God, I’m so confused right now. I lie on the bed, ignoring him. I’m not sure how much time passes, but there’s a knock at the door, and Brad invites whoever it is inside. It’s the guy I spoke to, what seems like a lifetime ago when he followed Devon into a pub and called Jared. I can’t remember his name, but he’s miserable looking. He hands Brad a passport, and a bag, my bag!
‘Hey, that’s mine. Where did you get that?’
He rolls his eyes and mumbles something to Brad before he leaves. I get up and walk over, snatching my bag from his hands,
‘God, as if he went through my room!’ I tell him.
‘What did you expect, princess? You were fucking kidnapped and carted off from there. You think we’re just gonna send you back to collect a few things?’
‘Stop calling me fucking, princess!’ I yell.
‘Stop acting like a fucking brat then.’
Like a slap in the face, any retort is lost when he says that. Am I acting like a spoiled brat? I huff out a breath and go to the bathroom. I’m annoyed, but he has no right to be annoyed with me. I fling the door back, and he stands straight, looking at me.
‘You shouldn’t have kissed me!’ I yell before I cover my mouth in shock at what just came out. That’s not what I was meaning to say.
He doesn’t look fazed by it—he looks kind of bored. ‘No, I shouldn’t have,’ is all he says. And again I’m left reeling. His words sting. And I’m not really sure why.
I pack my bag in silence. He doesn’t give me my passport. It’s in his back pocket, which I can see from my position on the bed. I’m getting angsty, and although I went out today, I feel like I need some air. As if he’s read my mind Brad says, ‘I’m going out for a run.’
Although I’m annoyed with him, I don’t think about it. ‘I’d like to run too.’
He shakes his head and purses his lips. ‘Not that kinda run, princess.’
And I’m an idiot. Of course it isn’t. Like ice cold water splashing into my face, the reality of what my captors are smacks home. Animals. Wolves. Although, apparently different to the ones who kidnapped me the first time. Yeah right. Like I believe that. They have a prison in the cellar for fuck’s sake. He sees my face and tsks his tongue. He has told me over and over again about the differences and why I can trust them—him, but I’m not sold. Who would be?
‘I’ll be back soon,’ he tells me, shaking his head like he’s disappointed. I just turn away and don’t answer.
Brad
Fuck, I’m an idiot. What the fuck was I thinking kissing her like that? Her life’s complicated enough without adding more shit to the list. Feels like we’ve gone right back to the beginning, all because I overstepped. But shit she tasted good. I lick my lips, tasting the memory. Who am I kidding? I’d do it again in a heartbeat. But because she doesn’t want me to, I’m treating her like shit. I see how she looks at me. Like I’m one of them. Like a fucking kitsune with no morals or loyalty. No care for humans. We’re not like that. We have family and friends—people we care about. We live by a code, and we have laws. They have none of that. They just live for themselves, in small groups and take what they can. They don’t work for it and don’t earn it. Not like we do.
I swear most murders and rapes in the world where they haven’t caught the bastard behind it will be a kitsune. They thrive on that shit. And are evil motherfuckers. The more we take out, the better, as far as I’m concerned. And like we don’t have enough on our hands with the small amount we have living here—they’re coming from abroad to start trouble. Well, they don’t know the Stone pack very well because we always finish shit. And we always come out on top. I grin at the thought of tearing some apart and visions start to swirl in my brain as I walk towards the forest. Yes. I can’t fucking wait.
‘Brad, wait up,’ Jacob shouts behind me. I turn to find him and Dom jogging up to me. ‘You out for a run?’ I nod, not really wanting company, but it can’t really be helped, with the amount of people staying here right now.
***
I stretch out my limbs as I change back to human form. I’d ripped a muscle going a round or two with Dom. Turns out company is what I needed, and I got some pent-up shit out. Feeling a whole lot better about stuff, I head back to my room. I only slip my jeans on and hang my tee over my shoulder. I’ll only head for the shower when I get in anyway. The T.V. is on, and Maiya is sitting up watching some reality show about some pretty boys from Essex. Crock of shit. I’m about say so, but I stop dead in my tracks because as I look at her, I mean properly look at her, I see puffy red eyes and tear stains on her cheeks. Shit. I instinctively go over and sit in front of her, taking one of her hands in mine.
‘Talk to me, sweetheart?’
She shakes her head and pulls her hand back.
‘Maiya? What’s wrong?’
‘What’s right, Brad? I’m pregnant. I could have HIV or syphilis or whatever the hell else, and… I just want my life back,’ she sobs. I take her hand again. She doesn’t pull it back this time, so I squeeze it, trying to reassure her. I grab some tissues with my other hand from the side table, and she blows her nose into one before handing me it back. ‘Thanks,’ she mumbles. I drop it onto the table and grab her another. As she takes it, she smiles. ‘I’m sorry,’ she tells me. I shake my head.
‘Nothing to be sorry for. I was an asshole, and I’m sorry,’ I confess. Her eyes widen just a little at my apology. Yeah yeah. I know, not my usual style. But fuck if seeing her cry doesn’t cut me deep. I hate it. And even more when I’m responsible. ‘Listen, for what it’s worth, having as much of my blood as you’ve had lately, I highly doubt you have anything to worry about. Remember what the doc said about a superior immune system, yeah?’
She nods. ‘I’d forgotten about that, what with everything else.’ She motions to her tummy. I don’t really know what the fuck else to say on that subject, so I sit silently. I’d only make shit worse.
***
The drive to the airport is tense. We share a car with Jared, Howard, and Devon. To say Maiya is annoyed with me is an understatement. I can feel her anger rolling off her in waves. I don’t even need to look at her. The journey seems a fuck of a lot longer than the couple hours it is. And when I stretch after getting out of the car, she practically runs off. Jared growls as she takes off, and I go after her. His patience at her treatment of Devon is wearing really thin, and he is liable to snap at her anytime soon. It surprises me to realise just how much I don’t want that. I catch her up with ease and just fall into step beside her. She glares at me, and I almost feel the daggers pierce my skin.
‘I can’t believe you did that to me!’ she squeals, high pitched and choked up at the end. I’d put her in the car and child locked her door so she couldn’t get out again. Then Jared and Devon had slid into the backseat next to her. I couldn’t sit there because he was being all fucking stupid about me sitting near his female. I didn’t tell her we weren’t sharing or what the seating arrangements were going to be. I’m an asshole. What can I say? So I got daggers to the back of my head and neck the entire journey. It wasn’t fun.
‘I didn’t exactly do anything now, did I?’ I ask her, knowing damn well what I did. But she’s being unreasonable towards Devon, and it needs fixing.
‘You’re a fucking liar.’
I shake my head and chuckle. ‘Aww, princess. You wound me. I didn’t lie. I just omitted the truth.’
‘That’s the same thing.’
‘Nope. I disagree,’ I tell her, grinning.
‘You are a deceitful… um… asswipe.’
I laugh at her difficulty to call me out. ‘No, princess. I’m far from deceitful. I’ll always tell you the truth if you can handle it. If you can’t, then omitting really isn’t an issue, it’ll just happen.’
‘What the hell are you even saying? Gah, you don’t take anything seriously.’
‘I take you seriously,’ I tell her and could kick myself because I should keep my big fucking mouth shut. God, what the fuck is this female doing to me?
***
Our group practically fills three-quarters of the plane. We have to make two stops because no direct flights are available at such short notice for a huge group. I relax in my aisle seat while Maiya sits in the middle with Zoe to her right. The stewardess comes along, offering the usual confectionary and beverages. I ask the girls what they want, but I get the cold shoulder from Maiya. Surprise sur-fucking-prise. So when the very attractive stewardess asks if we are a football team, I engage in conversation.
‘American football, yes, sweetheart, we are.’ Maiya is still half turned away. Fuck it. I’ll play with her. ‘You get any time off after this flight?’ I ask the stewardess winking with a shit-eating grin on my face.
She blushes and stammers a little. ‘I’m afraid not, sir. We fly right back.’
‘Call me Brad.’ I offer her my hand. ‘Well, there is always that mile high club,’ I tell her, making her go even redder which makes me chuckle. Howard kicks the back of my chair, laughing. Fucker. Then Maiya leaps up and tries clambering past me. Now I’m not a little guy, and these seats do not afford much room, so she’s practically got her tits in my face and her pussy on my knee. I grab at her waist, stopping her struggle. ‘Hold up. I’ll get out of your way. Where you going?’ I ask. We’d only been on this leg a short while.
‘I have the sudden urge to vomit. Let me go,’ she spits pushing my hands from her hips. I wanted to play, and I wanted a reaction, but I’m not sure I like it. Noticing her attitude, the stewardess makes a break for it but only gets a few seats down before Maiya is at her back. I lean into the aisle, wanting to see what’s about to go down. The stewardess notices she’s blocked her in and tries to move quickly but is stopped again by another passenger. Maiya leans in to her ear. And speaks through clenched teeth.
‘Unless you want to add vomit to the menu on your cart, I’d move your skinny arse now.’ And I taste victory. It tastes fucking sweet. She’s jealous. One nil to Brad. I smile as I watch the poor woman get out of her way, and Maiya practically stamps her feet the whole way down to the bathroom. I only just take my eyes away from the door when Zoe punches me in the arm. Hard.
‘What the hell are you doing?’ she demands. I just grin and shrug my shoulders. ‘Are you and her—’
‘Nope,’ I cut her off because, well, I’m not going there.
‘So what was that show about?’ She asks with her lips twisted, eyebrows raised, and her head cocked to one side. A look that I’ve seen a lot of women perfect, it means ‘you’re a lying prick and you ain’t fooling anyone.’ But I ignore it—like always. ‘What show?’ I pretend like I have no clue what she’s talking about.
‘You can be a total asshole you know that?’
I grin again. ‘Yes…yes, I do!’ She doesn’t speak to me again. And when Maiya comes back she ignores me too. So I close my eyes and go to sleep.