Page 38 of Falling Hard

It gave the impression this was out of character for Lynx. But I had only seen this side to him, and honestly, I adored how he treated me. A girl could really get used to this.

“Mmmm.” I nodded as I nuzzled my face into the crook of his neck and inhaled deeply. I nipped his neck playfully, causing him to chuckle lightly. “Much better. Sorry, I have issues, and they get worse when I don’t have any sleep. I’m not gonna lie, what you do terrifies me, but I think I can manage it,” I confessed, and I would try because I was falling for him hard and fast. I was just too afraid he might leave to tell him that. Shaking my head, I smirked evilly, then nipped at his neck roughly. Pop Tart forgotten, I ran my nails down his back, hard, leaving red marks. He visibly trembled, and a groan escaped his lips.

“Ooh, free porn. I’m game. Move out the way, man. No one wants to see your ugly ass naked. Let us have a view of your girl,” Grit shouted from the second floor where he was leaning over the railing, looking down at us from the other side of the room.

I instantly giggled as Lynx cursed under his breath, shooting Grit a glare, which only caused him to burst out laughing.

“You gonna let him talk about me like that? so uncool.” I laughed, antagonizing him even further.

“Yeah, Lynx, you gonna let me talk to her like that? Man, she’s made you go soft already, man, what a shame,” Grit shouted between laughter.

In an instant, Lynx was off me and making his way upstairs toward Grit, who took off down the hall and out of sight, Lynx disappearing shortly after.

“Children.” I shook my head. “All right, the show’s over, guys. Back to whatever it was you were doing!” I said in a singsong voice and added a clap at the end of it.

While finishing off the rest of the Pop Tart, I made my way to Uncle Hammer’s office, barging in again. “Uncle Hammie, I’ve come to offer my condolences. I think I may have just gotten your enforcer killed.” I giggled as I plopped myself down in the chair across from him.

He rolled his eyes, not even looking up at me. “Bunch of kids is what those two are like whenever they’re together. Gives me migraines having to babysit those two. You two need to take off soon. Your dad’s expecting you to be at the estate by the end of the day.” He glanced up at me. “He’ll meet you there in three days. He’s just finishing up a job.”

“Can’t I just stay here with you? I never get to spend time with my favorite uncle! Plus, you miss me!” I whined obnoxiously as I slapped my hands down on his desk. Once I’d gained his full attention, I gave him the best puppy dog eyes I could muster.

“Aww, hell, Libby, don’t look at me like that. I would love for you to stay around more often, but until Kurt’s found, it’s best you’re out of the state. Things could get a lot worse, so it’s best if you and Emmie aren’t around. Gonna have this same conversation with her once she gets up.”

“Oh, fine, fine. I’ll go look for the beast, and we will take off once I gather up some new clothes from my room,” I said in defeat. I got up and headed for the door.

“Libby,” Uncle Hammer called. “You be careful with him. He’s a dangerous man, who no one controls. We just have mutual respect for each other, but not even I can stop him when his mind’s set on something. I just don’t wanna see you get hurt,” he warned.

“I know he stands for everything I’m terrified of, that he’s a nomad like Dad, and to be honest, I really want a large house with a white picket fence and a few dogs. I want stability, and with him, I’ll probably never get that, but he makes me feel safe. He makes me feel grounded, you know?” I stuttered nervously as I fiddled with the hem of my shirt. “He’s almost like the calm to my storm, you know? And I know what you’re thinking, so don’t look at me like that. I know we’ve only just met, but you know how I either connect with you right off the bat or I don’t.”

Uncle Hammer’s face softened as he walked up to me and pulled me in for a hug. “Damn it all to hell, Libs, I told your old man not to take off until you were older, but he wouldn’t listen to me, the stubborn bastard. I even offered to look after you while he traveled, but he wanted you with him at all times. Lynx, though, is a good man, but I know him like no one else does, and by being with him, it could put you in danger, and I don’t want anything to happen to you. You’re a grown woman now, and you’ve always had good judgment, both you girls have, but if he so much as hurts you once, I’ll put a bullet in his head, you hear me? I know he’s a damn good man, but you’re still my number one girl.”

Rolling my eyes, I laughed. “So today, I’m your number one girl. What did Emmie do this time to piss you off? She’s only number two when she’s misbehaving. Remember when we were kids, and she took it upon herself to redecorate your bedroom walls with permanent markers?” I laughed again as he scowled and scratched his beard.

“That little brat ended up having to repaint the bedroom twice! But she’s fine, just not feeling too well and has been locked up in her room since the other day, so it’s best to not disturb her. Now off you go. You better get out a here. There’s a storm brewing, and to you need to make it to the estate before it hits,” he said as he pushed me out of the office and locked the door, which caused me to laugh.

I headed to my room, which was upstairs all the way to the right. My room was simple with rich purple walls, a large bookshelf, a queen-sized bed sporting a black and white comforter set, a few band posters on the wall, and a small white dresser.

“What to grab. What to grab,” I said as I opened my dresser drawers and pulling out a few different colored tank tops, a few pairs of yoga pants, and some fresh bras and panties, I put the new items in my backpack. Heading to the closet, I swung open the door and turned on the light. “All right, Libby, what are you going to wear today?” I muttered. I decided on a scoop-necked, sleeveless, formfitting mini tank dress with a large skull, trees, and a raven printed on it that came to mid-thigh on me. Next, I dug around the bottom of my closet and grabbed my black leather boots. I got dressed, picked up my backpack, and headed off to wake my cousin up. If she wasn’t feeling well, I had just the thing she needed to cheer up.

Grinning like a madwoman, I reached her door on the third level and banged on it before letting myself in.

“Your favorite cousin is here!” I sang out and then realized the room was empty. Frowning, I took in the made bed and the clean room. Emmie wasn’t here. Disappointed, I walked back out, closing the door, and headed out in search of Lynx.

“Man, one of these days, I’m going to really kick your ass, you fucker.” Grit chuckled, wiping the blood off his freshly split lip.

Lynx, sporting a swollen cheek himself, just shook his head and grunted in response as they made their way up the stairs.

“You two together really are grown children, aren’t you?” I stated with my eyebrows raised and hands on my hips. “You need to get yourself cleaned up. Hammer’s kicking us out. I’ll be waiting outside,” I scolded them playfully.

“Looks like you’re going to have your hands full with that one. Good luck, man.” Grit smiled, and a look of relief flashed across his eyes. “You go get ready, and I’ll escort her outside. Meet you by your bike.”

Lynx nodded and headed to his room while Grit accompanied me outside.

“Spit it out. I know you’ve wanted to say something to me since last night. Just get it over and done with. I’m a big girl and can take it,” I said nervously, tugging on my hair as I leaned against the large garage that had a beautiful mural painted on it. Every color of the rainbow was scattered across the whole side of the garage like a beautiful mess. I almost didn’t catch what Grit was saying because I was so focused on all the colors and brush strokes, feeling a little raw, and in awe, with all the emotion someone had put into the masterpiece.

“Did Emmie do this?” I asked, interrupting him mid-sentence.

“Yeah, she’s a bit of an artist. It pissed Hammer off, but he doesn’t have the heart to wash it off. He even went and bought a sealer to make sure it stays there permanently,” Grit said proudly as he turned to face the painting.

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