Page 109 of Savage Scream

The Angels have offered him shelter, money, and the chance to go back to school and finish his education. All the things I’d planned to offer him, and since they are his aunties too, I’ve decided that perhaps having them as role models for him isn’t so bad.

After all, they mean well and everything they have done regarding me was from a place of love and support. My situation was far from normal, and they did what they could to steer me down a better path.

And I realise now that’s exactly what happened.

I could have been a psycho killer. Probably would have been shot dead by cops by now, but the Angels taught me another way, and to me, it was, and still is, an important role in eliminating the predators so they can’t cause harm again.

“Happy Birthday!” Rhys cheers for the hundredth time today as she walks past me in the main living area of the Rogans’ house, dragging me out of my mournful thoughts.

I grin and shake my head, keeping silent, because I’m good at that. Especially when I’m keeping a secret.

In fact, I haven’t spoken verbally much from the moment Jared and I stepped out of that intimate shower at the hospital when I woke up. Sometimes words are just too hard, so I keep them to myself, only occasionally giving them to Jared when I can’t help myself.

“What did you give Dee for her birthday, Crowley?” Marcus asks, coming to stand before me and Jared as we loiter around the table covered in plates of party food.

“None of your business,” Jared answers, sounding amused.

“You gave her your dick, didn’t you?” Rhys asks, bouncing up to jump on Marcus’ back, sliding her hands to his chest as she rests her head on his shoulder. “It is a nice sized dick.”

I roll my eyes and Jared chuckles, not denying it, while Marcus reaches back and gives her an awkward backwards slap on her arse.

“Stop talking about other guys’ dicks, Rhee,” he whines, calling her by his pet name for her. They all seem to have a different name they call her, and I wonder how she remembers they are addressing her and not someone else. That girl has too many boyfriends for me to even comprehend how it all works.

“It’s not other guys. It’s Jared, and his dick belongs to my foster sister, so I can talk about it all I want.”

I shake my head at her, and she shoots me a wink. “He gave you dick for your birthday, didn’t he?”

“Ok, that’s enough out of you.” Garrett sweeps in, stealing Rhys off Marcus’ back and slings her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

Rhys then proceeds to pinch his arse as he walks, and he ignores her, taking her into the back part of the house towards her bedroom.

I guess Rhys is the one about to get dick.

The thought causes me to smirk, and I’m thankful when Marcus is too busy watching his girl get carried off by another guy to notice.

Rhys was right, though. Jared gave me his dick for my birthday. And his fingers. And his tongue.

God, the things he can do with that tongue!

He also got me a mood teddy. An adorable reversible octopus that’s pink with a smile, but when you push it inside out, it’s blue with a frown. He told me to use the grumpy side on the days I don’t feel like talking, so he knows not to annoy me too much.

I love it so much.

It’s the best gift I’ve ever received. Not that I’ll get to use it with him, but I’ll keep it and remember him always.

The night is nice, celebrations that I’m not used to having make me feel somewhat normal for a short time.

Travis and Cassie drop by and Jared sits with them for a bit chatting, while I stay on the sidelines, silent.

Griffin joins the celebrations, too, handing me a long velvet box and suggesting I open it later when no one can see, so I rush off and stash it in my room, knowing it’s most likely something illegal.

The Angels join the fun, handing over some gift cards and a bottle of wine, which I don’t bother opening.

I’m not, nor will I ever, be a drinker.

For them, when most people are out of earshot, I use my voice for simple things, before thanking my aunties for looking out for me, and reminding them that Travis needs extra support, now more than ever.

I watch from the sidelines as Griffin, his woman, Aggie, and my aunties all chat away with the Rogans like they are old friends, and I realise it’s because of me that they’ve come together.

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