Monsters' Gift (Crude Hill High 2)

The house was too fucking large. I hadn’t wanted to live in any of our fathers’ houses, but I knew the statement we were making was by far more important. Like now, we always had to consider our reputation.

I came to a stop with my friends and we looked into the main dining room that also had a dance floor and a piano. I stay perfectly still, watching as Drake played the tune and Emily sang as she danced around the dining room. There were no table or chairs since we’d had them removed. We didn’t intend to entertain and with each new threat happening, we didn’t want anything that could cause us a hindrance.

She spun around. I didn’t recognize the song, but it sounded so sad. Her voice wasn’t great, but she clearly didn’t care. Over and over, Drake played the same tune, and not once did Emily stop in her singing.

The last note was played and Emily came to a stop. Her head tilted to the sky, her hands clenched into fists. The silence almost heartbreaking after such beauty.

Caleb stepped into the room and the floor creaked.

Emily opened her eyes and spun around. The instant she saw us, she burst out laughing and rushed to all of us. Caleb got her first, lifting her up in his arms and spinning her around.

Drake put the lid down on the piano. “You didn’t find them?”

“No,” Caleb said.

Drake nodded. “You’re going to want to beat me up.”

“No,” Emily said. “They’re not. It’s all fine. Just a misunderstanding. Are you guys hungry?”

“Starved,” River said.

“Come on. Drake made us dinner earlier.” She rushed out of the room. Drake started to follow her, but I couldn’t help but grab his arm.

“No,” I said.

“What the hell are you telling me no to?” Drake asked. “You don’t want me to go and follow your woman? Don’t want me to cook?”

“You don’t get to fall in love with her.”

He threw his head back and laughed. I clenched my hand into a fist.

“I hate to break it to you, Gael. She’s not my type. I’m not in love with your woman, nor do I ever want your woman. Back in high school, I thought she had a stick up her ass. My feelings about her haven’t changed. I’ve got your guys’ backs, but it doesn’t mean I want to compete with my dick, got it?”

“Good. Make sure it stays that way.”

I let him go and followed close behind him. Emily was in the dining room. She’d laid out our plates for us. The food smelled good.

“Drake made pie. It’s really good.” She took a seat next to me as Vadik and River sat opposite. Caleb took the head of the table. After picking up my fork, I had a mouthful, and when that didn’t kill me I ate some more.

I stared at Drake.

“Well, if you don’t need me I’ll go and get some sleep.” He got to his feet and left.

Emily watched him go.

“If you want me to kill him, I will.”

“No, don’t be silly. He’s an ass, but he doesn’t deserve to die. Tell me how today went.”

I took another forkful of food. We hadn’t had a good day. First of all, at the edge of our property, one of our men had been held in a bear trap. There was a chance he might lose his leg, which pissed me off. Our men were dropping like flies.

Our fathers weren’t wasting a second in letting us know they were a threat.

“It’s going good,” Caleb said.

“Don’t do that. Don’t shut me out. I might be able to help.”

“The only way you can help us right now is by staying inside and not leaving this house,” Caleb said.

She tensed up. “I should have known you wouldn’t trust me with all of this.”

“Emily, I’m not being a dick to you. It’s dangerous.”

“And you think I don’t get that? I do. I promise I do.” She sighed and ran fingers through her hair. She looked pissed off.

Even though my hands were dirty, I took hold of hers, locking our fingers together, so she knew I was with her. I didn’t want to lose her.

She squeezed me back.

“It’s dangerous out there.” Crude Hill had always been filled with hell. Even the school. Our lives had only been worth as much as our parents were willing to sacrifice for it.

After running a hand down my face, I finished up the food and pushed my plate away.

“I’m going to take a shower.” I let go of Emily.

I hated this.

We’d built this empire, rivaling our fathers’, and now they had us chasing after them. Emily’s life was constantly in danger and it pissed me off.

I wasn’t a happy man.

After going to my bedroom, I went straight to the bathroom, stripping off my clothes and stepping beneath the cold bathroom spray. I tilted my head back, letting out a sigh as the water cascaded all over my body.