Page 30 of Shiner's Light

I knew from the moment Storm knocked on the door, and I opened it that Shiner went after his son. Deep down, I hoped he’d do this. I didn’t want him to come to me as he said he was. Milo is too important not to put first and foremost. The little boy always needs to come first, no matter what.

Now, we’re just waiting for news. I can only pray that they found both Milo and Chelsea . . . that they’re both okay and no harm has come to them, well more than what already has.

“Olly, sweetheart,” Rain, Storm’s mom, whispers, touching my arm to get my attention from the other side of me. “Don’t take this on. Don’t blame yourself for any more of your sister’s actions. They’re hers to bear, not yours. You didn’t go out and kidnap a child. You didn’t take Chelsea. You didn’t tell those men to do what they did to you.”

“But if I’d stayed away, none of this would have happened,” I croak out through the thickness tightening around my chest and threatening to choke me.

“Olive, it was only a matter of time before Sasha let the madness fully take her. She’d have done this regardless,” Storm remarks.

A part of me knows she’s right, but a large part of me refuses to let go of the blame or the what-ifs. They don’t know. They didn’t live with her. None of them would understand.

I don’t even think I truly understand myself.

Regardless, she took it out on me for what I did with Shiner. “I don’t know how she knew what I did with Shiner last night,” I utter, my cheeks heating as I meet each of the women’s gazes sitting around the table.

“What do you mean?” Meadow asks, cocking her head slightly.

“In the text, she said something about me and Shiner. Hoping I enjoyed it.” I tighten my arms around my legs. “Sasha knew what we’d done. I just don’t know how she knew.”

“Someone had to report it to her,” Rain whispers, silent enough for only us to hear.

“We have a betrayer in our midst,” Storm murmurs.

“But who?” Meadow keeps her voice just as quiet. “One of the fallen harlots? A prospect? Brother? I don’t think it would be one of the guys. They’re all family and wouldn’t do anything to betray one of their own.”

“It couldn’t have been one of the brothers,” Storm reaffirms. “There’s no way.”

“That leaves the prospects and skanks.” Rain nods. “I’ll get Sniper to call Nerd. He can look at the cameras.”

“No, don’t, Mom, Nerd doesn’t need to be brought in this. This needs to stay in-house,” Storm mutters, her voice taking on a stern tone. “I’ll talk to Blow when they get back. Get him to talk to Keys. They’ll look into it and figure this out. I’m sure Blow is already on it.”

“No way will Nines or Blow let this slide without looking into it,” Meadow agrees.

I open my mouth to say something, only to close it when the doors slam open, and in steps Shiner carrying Milo. Behind him, Lucky has Chelsea cradled in his arms with her fussing. The rest of the men file in behind them. But it’s the man who comes in last that surprises me. I recognize him almost immediately.

“Olive,” Shiner clips out, and I jump out of my seat.Fear threatens to choke me. He hasn’t taken that tone with me since before he realized I was hurt the day I knocked on his door.

Without a word, I move to his side, his arm going around me.

“Is everything okay?” I ask, eyes on Milo, who looks to have fallen asleep against his father’s chest.

“It will be,” Shiner answers as he presses a kiss on my forehead and turns his attention to the others in the room. “I’m gonna go lay my kid down.”

“We’ll be here waiting, brother,” Blow states, his expression grim.

Shiner nods, squeezes my side, and jerks his chin. “Come on.”

I don’t protest, though I really want to. I can tell he needs this, and I’m not going to go against him.

Stepping into the room, Shiner lets me go, carries Milo to the bed, and lays him gently in the middle. Watching him, I can’t help but think of how perfect of a father he is. He was meant to be a dad. There’s no denying how much he loves Milo. He’s not afraid to show his emotions.

Shiner brushes a hand through the little boy’s hair and pulls away, turning his attention to me. The way his eyes darken, my stomach tightens, and between my legs, I can feel the slickness dampening my slit.

“Are you okay?” I whisper. “Did you see Sa—” I don’t get to finish asking my question before he’s on me, his lips on mine, slamming forcefully down.

Shiner’s tongue enters my mouth and duels with mine with such dominance it’s all I can do to keep from moaning due to the pleasure of it alone. Hands grip my rear, and he lifts me until I’ve no choice but to wrap my legs around his waist. I’m consumed by his kiss, so much so that I don’t realize he’s carrying me until my bottom lands on the edge of his sink.

A moan of protest leaves my lips when he rips his away from mine. I find my head tilting of its own accord with Shiner’s lips kissing, licking, nipping his way downward. Those lips are driving me insane.

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