Salinger

Pulling up to our compound, the first bit of hope I’ve felt in weeks, stirs in my chest after my meeting with my father this afternoon. And I can’t wait to tell Tia and the men the good news.

But when I walk through the front door, I freeze at the sight that meets me.

Huxley has Tia pressed against the wall, his body molding to hers, their mouths locked on one another in a scorching kiss that has my balls drawing tight against my body, and my cock turning to granite.

Tia may have come here a virgin, but in the months that have passed even I, who hasn’t touched her can tell that she’s become a siren, fully aware of her sexuality and what she does to her men.

It isn’t jealousy that stirs inside me, it’s want and need. I know who she is now. Better than the others, yet I still haven’t taken her. Fuck, maybe I’m just a damn coward. I know what she has with the others is special, unique. And I want the same thing.

I cough, and Huxley is the first to glance over, a smirk playing on his lips when he sees me.

“The prodigal son returns.” He doesn’t release Tia, if anything he holds her tighter, one hand resting on the curve of her ass. “What did Daddy have to say this time?”

I see Tia stiffen, her gaze resting on mine, and whatever lust she’d been feeling a moment before appears to have been replaced by anxiety and fear. The only two emotions she seems to look at me with since we returned from my mother’s technological fortress.  

“Are the others here?” I ask, pulling off my jacket and hanging it up.

“Yeah.” Huxley frowns at me.

“Get them,” I say.

He hesitates before nodding and wandering off to find the other men. Emerson will be gone for another week with work, but I’ve already texted him with the news.

“What’s wrong?” Tia approaches me, wringing her fingers together and looking like she’s preparing herself for the worst.

“We should wait until--”

“Sal, please.” She fists her fingers in my shirt. “Just tell me.”

God, what I wouldn’t do for this woman.

What I probably will do before this whole thing is finished.

I place my palm on her cheek and give a small smile. “A man was arrested this morning on charges of murder.”

She frowns up at me. “Murder of who?”

“The mercenaries.”

Her fists tighten. “I don’t understand.”

“He’s a hired gun. Hasn’t admitted who he works for or his reasons, but the gun found on him matches the bullets that were found in the dead men’s heads, excluding the man that was found buried-”

“The one I shot,” she says softly.

I nod. “There was more evidence, enough to acquit Giles.”

Her bottom lip trembles. “What are you saying?”

“My father has lifted the charges. Giles is free.”

“Free?” The way she says it, I can tell she doesn’t fully believe me.

I barely believed it myself when my father told me. I still have my doubts that the man accused is the one who shot the mercenaries in the cabin. It’s too much of a coincidence, and too sloppy for a man of such means to be found out. I wonder what exactly my mother did to give Tia back her husband.

But Giles will be set free. That’s what matters. If the man is innocent, he’ll be acquitted in court. Even as I think it, I know the truth, and a shiver runs down my spine.

“His wounds are being treated, and we’ll be allowed to bring him home in a few days.”

“You’re serious?”

“He’s going to need some time to heal, but--”

She kisses me then. Her arms go around my neck, and her fingers dive into my hair as she pulls my lips to hers. It’s hard and fast, and probably means nothing to her, but it means everything to me.

“Thank you,” she says, tears rolling down her cheek.

“I didn’t do anything.”

She gives a small shake of her head like she doesn’t believe me. And even though I want her to see me as a hero in this story, I know I’m not. I’m just a pawn.

I don’t need to be her king in this game we’re playing, but I do want to be her knight. Her protector. But that role is already taken.

“Tia, I--”

Her hands rest on my face and she kisses me again, but this time it’s softer, and when her tongue sweeps into my mouth, my body responds instantly. I deepen the kiss, taking whatever she has to give me, opening my heart to her fully.

I need to make her mine, and soon. I’ve waited too long. Allowed fear and suspicion to push me away. No more.

Tonight.

Slowly, I break away, resting my forehead against hers, and whisper, “Will you come to me--”

“What’s going on?” Fallon’s deep voice growls out, with the touch of jealousy that’s always in his words whenever Tia is too close to one of her other husbands.

I sigh, and release Tia, saying, “Tell them.”

She smiles then, one of the first genuine smiles she’s given me in a long time, then turns to the others. “Giles is coming home.”