Monsters' Gift (Crude Hill High 2)

I looked at my men and I nodded, spilling the word yes. I never wanted to lose them and there had been way too many circumstances leading up to me losing them. Nearly dying being the biggest one.

One by one, they each placed their item on me. Caleb came last, sliding the engagement ring onto my finger.

“I … I love you all so much,” I said.

“And we love you.” They each pulled me into their arms, giving me a kiss, and I fell even deeper in love.

At first, loving all of them had made me a little uncomfortable. It wasn’t exactly right, but now, I really didn’t give a shit. In fact, I wanted to share the news.

“Can I go and tell Ashley?” she asked.

“Sure.” Caleb pulled his cell phone from his pocket and I moved out of the way to dial my best friend.

The happiness I’d felt at the beginning of the day had only grown into a fever pitch. Nothing could take this away from me.

Ashley answered on the third ring and she was more than excited with the news. What was more, she was also thrilled to be helping me plan my wedding.

I was getting married to four amazing guys. I didn’t know how I actually got so lucky.

****

Caleb

A couple of days later

“I hear congratulations are in order?” Earl Valentine looked at me across the last abandoned building my father and Gael’s father had burned down. While Emily had been high on our proposal, we’d been dealing with the mess my father liked to leave behind.

The man was a fucking menace. He really pissed me off. Ever since Earl had been able to retract the hit on Emily’s life, and placed it on my father’s, they’d evaded us at every turn.

Only two left, but it seemed they were stealthier than I gave them credit for, which only served to piss me off even more.

Running fingers through my hair, I paced back to my car.

“Don’t worry, Ashley has already told us we’ve got an invitation.”

“I’m not interested in making small talk with you.”

“No, but you’re always interested when I can help you.”

I glared at him. “Do you have a natural way of pissing people off?”

“You tell me.”

“You promised me you’d help me.”

“I have by far exceeded my part in this agreement.”

“Then why are you sticking around?”

“I’m not an idiot. If Daniel and Dean actually pull this off and get the drop on your woman, and you four, which I didn’t think was possible but now I’m more convinced of it than ever, who do you think they’re coming after next?” He tilted his head to the side. “I’m not sticking around for the thrilling company, Caleb. I’m here to clean up a loose end. The fact he can do this in your town simply means you don’t have as much control as you think.”

I rammed my fist into his face. I didn’t need to hear all of my shortcomings, and especially from this prick with a virgin complex.

“You can fuck off out of my town the moment you like. I don’t want nor do I need you here, you piece of shit. You’re nothing and I don’t want you here causing trouble.”

My punch had sent him to the ground and he released a chuckle. “You need to learn to keep a hold of your temper.” He got to his feet.

I’d had enough. Rather than punch him again, I left him alone and went to my car. We’d driven together. Gael, Vadik, and River were each handling different assignments I’d given them. Just because Emily was back didn’t mean our business had ended. We still had money to collect, punishments to dole out, and statements to make.

Our fathers were always busy dealing with their reputation. In no way could the Monsters’ Crew fall. That was always the name of the game. I had thought my father overreacted when I was younger, but now, I knew the truth. I knew what the world was capable of, and we were the biggest targets all the time.

Drake was the one who constantly kept our asses safe.

Earl climbed into the passenger seat of the car. “We know they’re in town.”

“Of course, they’re in fucking town,” I said. “The moment they leave, they’ve got plenty of hits on their head, and there’s not a fucking thing we can do about it.” I was so pissed off. Angry, in fact. They were teasing us, just like we’d played with them. This was a game to them.

They weren’t even burning down or destroying buildings of any real value. What they were doing was complete and total horseshit. They needed to be stopped. I didn’t know how I was going to do it.

When I arrived home, Earl followed me inside.

The entire house was quiet. Guards were still at the doors and they acknowledged me as I passed. I immediately went to my office and to my drinks table. The only way to come back from this was to have a nice, hard, stiff drink.