Page 2 of One of Six

I take the ten dollars she hands me. "Get yourself something to drink so you don't faint on the way home."

As soon as I slip my feet into a pair of ballet flats, I step outside, and the heat envelops me. This summer is hot.

The houses I pass make me sick. None of the people who live in them deserve it. They don't care about anyone but making more money for themselves and kissing my family's ass.

I walk through the gates that are supposed to keep others out, wondering which guard will lose his job because the men from Den Hollows rode through. The men ask for trouble by doing what they did today. Part of me doesn't blame them. If I was told to stay away from somewhere, I'd want to go. The only difference is that I wouldn't have the courage to do it.

I walk through the pretty town, past the barber shop, the post office, and the library on the corner. I cross the street and pass a few restaurants and the sheriff's office. I turn right and walk towards the big grocery store.

The store is quiet as I enter, and I take a moment to stand under one of the air conditioning units in the ceiling. My eyes go wide when I catch my reflection in a mirror. My red hair is completely dried and sticks up everywhere. There is no rhyme or reason to it.

"Beatrice, how are you?"

"I'm fine, Mr. Gleeson. Mama sent me for milk." I sound like my ten-year-old self. "And a popsicle." I like the owner of this store. He has always looked the same—slim, with a head full of white hair, a big nose, and dark eyes that miss nothing hidden behind large black specks.

He smiles warmly, revealing a row of perfectly straight teeth. "You always liked the popsicles."

"I deserve two today. Or maybe three.”

"You know where everything is." He smiles. "I'll ring you up when you're ready."

"Thank you." I move away but pause. "Mr. Gleeson?"

"Yes, Beatrice."

"Did you see Den Hollows come through town?"

Mr. Gleeson's smile falters slightly before he answers. "I'd have to be dead not to know when they ride those bikes." He winks. "The sheriff's men chased them right back out of town."

"Oh!" Disappointment settles in my stomach, and I'm not sure why. It's not like I know how to talk to them. If I did, I would feel my father's hand afterwards.

I walk over to the popsicles, pick out a pink one and bite into it with my teeth. As soon as the popsicle bursts it's wrapping, I lick it slowly, savoring the taste. I close my eyes and sigh with pleasure. I wrap my tongue around the ice before taking it into my mouth. It tastes so good.

The sound of a growl makes my eyes open wide. My heart stutters in my chest. The Redd brothers stand on the other side of the store with all eyes focused on my mouth. It has been a long time since I have seen one of them. I don't think I've ever seen them all together—Atilio, Nico, Boone, Galen, Ridge, and Essex. Six brothers. Six heartbreakers. Six Den Hollows.

2

ESSEX

My eyes focuson the girl with the brightest hair I’ve ever seen. I know who she is. Everyone does. Beatrice Lincoln. The mayor’s daughter.

My instant response to her has nothing to do with her parentage, but the girl herself. Curves to make a guy’s mouth water. Curly hair that falls in a mess around her face and down her back, over her breasts. It’s more orange than red. Fiery.

What freezes me and my brothers to the floor is the way her tongue curls around the popsicle in her hand. The way she licks with her pink tongue, and then heat slides through me when her mouth wraps around the ice.

My dick is so hard that I need to pound something. Preferably into her sweet pussy.

She lifts her gaze and sees the six of us standing watching her. When her eyes land on me my dick jerks behind my zipper. I have never had such a visceral reaction to anyone before and it makes me angry.

Just my luck it’s the one girl none of us can touch. Probably one of the only virgins to graduate high school.

I glance at my brothers and wonder what they’re thinking. How can one innocent girl bring the six of us to a stop.

Ridiculous.

Still, no one moves.

“Gleeson,” I shout. My brother to the right jumps, but I bring us back to the present and the reason we are here.

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