Page 67 of Ensnared By Silence
Chapter 23
Aubrey
Hayden and I were atFalcon’s Tavern to ring in the new year, and we were a few minutes from midnight. Devlin, Elise, James, Amaya, Skid, Mathias, Gunner, Sadie, and Needles were all celebrating with us, along with thirty or so patrons. There were a few of the Death Hounds prospects standing guard outside as we drank, ready to take anyone home who needed a ride.
Chuck and Blaire were watching DJ and Elizabeth at the condo, with additional security guarding them. Devlin and James made enemies through the years, and while no one was stupid enough to try and cross them, they were always vigilant about safety.
Glasses of champagne were passed around the bar as the last minutes of the year ticked away.
“Five, four, three, two, one! Happy New Year!” The entire bar cheered, and Hayden gripped me by the back of the neck and pulled me into a bruising kiss.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and got lost in his kiss as cheers and singing resonated around us. Pulling back, I bit my lip as his heated gaze met mine. He brought his lips to my ear and whispered, “I can’t wait to be inside you.”
I raised an eyebrow and licked my lips as he winked and released me. Quickly, we were pulled into hugs from our friends, and as the alcohol flowed, the painful memories of the past slipped away like time on a clock.
No longer was I afraid to speak my truth.
I was stronger than the things that tried to destroy me, and I came out the other end with a family who loved me and a life I was happy to live. Within an hour, the crowd was thinned significantly, and a drunk Mathias stumbled up to me.
Pulling me into his muscled arms, he hugged me tightly, and I patted him on the back until he released me. Looking at Hayden, he swayed, and Skid gripped onto his sleeve as Mathias slurred, “I’m so glad I pushed you two together. You’re so cute together.”
“Are you coming for brunch at the cabin tomorrow?” I asked Mathias, Skid, and an approaching Needles.
“I’ll pour some coffee down his throat and make sure he’s there. Sadie wanted me to let you know she’s bringing sweet rolls and coffee cake from the bakery.”
“Yummy. She makes the best sweets,” I replied and glanced over my shoulder as Hayden gathered glasses from around the empty tables.
With a wave across the bar, Skid, Mathias, and Needles left. Devlin and James took Elise and Amaya home shortly after midnight so Chuck and Blaire could go home. It was nice to spend time with them, seeing my brothers smile and laugh.
I started clearing tables, and soon, it was Hayden, me, his night manager, and the last waitress alone in the Tavern. Working together, we were finished with the cleanup in under twenty minutes and I was grabbing my purse from his office as he let them out the front door, securing us inside.
There was still a prospect outside who would follow us home, making sure there were no surprises waiting for us. I had no more enemies, and they promised it was a matter of time before Jared and Wesley were dealt with, but it was too soon after Tucker and there would be suspicions. I trusted my family, and after telling Hayden the entire story about Devlin saving me, like he saved Elise, the men grew closer.
I walked back into the bar, the hallway dark and the only lights shining were over the pool table. I looked around and didn’t see Hayden. Setting my purse on the end of the bar, I checked the kitchen and didn’t see him. Walking quickly to the front door, I unlocked it and poked my head out to find the prospect standing against the front wall.
“Is everything okay, Miss Aubrey?” he asked.
“Is Hayden out here with you?”
“No. He went inside, and I heard him lock the door behind him. Do you want me to come in and look for him?”
“He’s probably in the restroom. We’ll be out in a few minutes.”
He nodded and leaned against the wall, puffing on a cigarette and blowing broken smoke rings into the air.
Locking the door behind me, I sauntered toward the bar, listening for where he might be. As I stepped to the pool table, my fingers running across the loose balls on the top, I felt someone step up behind me. His woodsy cologne engulfed me and I bit back a moan as he pressed his hard body against my back.
Grasping a hand into my hair, he pulled my hand back to his chest and kissed me, forcing his tongue into my mouth. The kiss was bruising, and as he released the embrace, I panted deeply as he smiled down at me. His amber eyes glowed in the dim lighting from the overhead pool table lights, and I saw deep desire staring back at me.
Hayden and I discussed our darkest desires, and slowly, over the last few weeks, we experimented. I admitted my desire to be dominated by him but still able to participate as he used me for pleasure.
It wasn’t a fantasy to erase what I experienced—it was a desire to override the harsh touch of my past and to own my future.
“Are you wet for me?” he purred as he rocked against me, rubbing his hard length against the crack of my ass.
