Page 31 of Séance

“Really?” Ellis stoops over the keyboard and pulls up information on the company she recommended. He distractedly drags out the chair and sits down, loosing himself in digital research.

I watch as she points out things on the screen, and I frown as I pull my shirt over my head, no longer wanting to play games. Just who the fuck is Rue? When she mentioned graduating early, I was impressed but brushed it off.

Now she’s into investments?

I stalk forward with a scowl, wondering what she’s plotting. I trust Ellis to research the company thoroughly, but I don’t like anyone poking into my business. I reach between them and shut the lid to the laptop with a snap. “Why don’t we head back downstairs to the patio and start a fire?”

Rue startles and leans away, flinching before she catches herself, and I mask my scowl. While I might be a bastard, I don’t physically abuse women. Her response was so quick and instinctual that I know whatever happened to her had been happening for a while, and it’s a struggle not to demand answers.

Ellis is used to my mood swings and yanks his fingers out in time to avoid getting them squished. He shoots me an annoyed look but obediently shoves his chair back. Ellis isn’t weak or a pushover, but he’s learned over time that resisting me is futile.

I get what I want.

He picks his battles carefully, but when he puts his foot down, he can be immovable. He’s second in charge of our group, and the computer specialist with the ability to pull up anything that has ever been whispered about on the internet. Gunner is the fixer. James is the jokester and charmer. Jace is the spy, ableto infiltrate any group or business. I’m the leader and money man.

Together, we make a group that many fear to cross.

Shooting me a warning look, Ellis steps in front of Rue and offers her a smile, easily smoothing over the tension. “I’m sure the other guys are probably wondering where we disappeared.”

“Of course.” Rue nods, glancing at me over his shoulder, her shuttered expression giving nothing away.

Manners might have been ingrained in her, but she’s not stupid. She shut herself down, hiding herself from me, and it feels like something precious is slipping through my fingers. I grit my teeth against the sensation, biting my tongue against the need to apologize.

The moment is lost when she sweeps from the room, the space dull and lifeless in her wake, like something vital has been stolen.

Determined to find out everything I can about her, I stomp after them, ignoring the fact that I’m becoming just as obsessed with her as the others.

My obsession is different.

She’s mixed up in some sort of trouble, and it’s my job to protect our little family. We’ll make whoever touched her disappear. Unfortunately, I have a feeling her life is more complicated than she’s letting on.

She’s too smart and innocent at the same time.

It’s an alluring combination, and the guys chase after her like she’s a dog in heat. They are not going to let her go without a fight. We’re just breaking away from the nightmares of our past and starting a new life. The last thing we need is for her to fuck up our escape plans.

I’ll just have to verify her story and either fix the problem if she’s innocent or erase her from our lives if she’s the source ofthe cancer and hope the guys have enough brains left in their heads to know I’m just looking out for them like always.

Chapter Nine

JACESON

Iabsently stir the glowing coals of the fire to keep myself occupied, repositioning the logs, and watch the tiny embers float in the air. James is being a little extra tonight with our unexpected guest, almost manic as he paces back and forth from one end of the patio to the other.

Not that I can blame him.

It’s rare that any of the guys invite a chick back to the house, but there is something different about Rue that draws me to her, and it isn’t just her mesmerizing looks. There is a glow about her, like she’s a star in the dark sky, shimmering a bit brighter than the others.

Despite her bruises, it’s as if life hasn’t had a chance to tarnish her yet.

I’m struggling with the need to protect her innocence and dirty her up at the same time. While I can appreciate women, they usually don’t hold my attention, not like they do for the others. Sure, they are pretty and smell nice, but they cause too much drama.

I have enough of my own baggage, not to mention keeping James in check, that I just don’t have time for anything else. I like my solitary life. Shit gets complicated when a woman is involved. I figured I would wait until college was done and we were settled before even thinking about adding more to my life.

Rue makes me question my plans.

She’s like the calm in the center of a storm.

She doesn’t see the need to chatter incessantly, and being near her is peaceful. The way she’s able to calm James with just a look is almost magical. I never thought I would see the day. I’m almost afraid to breathe around her and break the spell.

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