Page 50 of Checkmate

Creed leans into my side. “What we need you to do is go back up to your room so we can have our way with you,” he whispers in my ear. I snort and push him away. I look up and Boston is shooting daggers at Creed.

“In your dreams,” I whisper back. His reply is nothing more than a growl that sends a shiver down my spine.

“Should we talk about how you’re feeling about all of this?” Brennan asks, his tone concerned. I shake my head no. I’m not ready to open that can of worms yet. It’s still not real that they’re sitting across the table.

“Tomorrow. Right now, I just want to go to bed,” I turn to Creed. “Alone. I just need time to process everything.”

“You have until the morning, then we will be talking. This entire situation isn’t something we can just sweep under the rug.” Boston says with a look that tells me he means business. I agree with a nod of my head. I know that I can’t pretend that this never happened. I don’t want to be angry, but right now, I’m so damn angry that if I open Pandora's box tonight, it isn’t going to be pretty.

I put my hands on the table and push my chair out, the screech of the legs sliding across the floor is the only sound to be heard. Turning my back on the guys, I head up the stairs to my bedroom. I have to admit, the stairs being in the kitchen are pretty handy for a swift escape.

Stripping down to my underwear, I slip into my bed, pulling the comforter right up under my neck and curling into a ball, as tears start falling down my face. The real hurt gripping my heart and squeezing.

Someone knocks at the door, but I don’t answer. After a minute it opens, and Creed pops his head in. I knew as soon as I gave into the turbulent emotions raging inside of me that he wouldn’t be far away.

“We come in peace and will keep our dicks in our pants,” he says, stepping into the room.

“Speak for yourself. My dick has a mind of its own,” Chester quips, pushing past Creed.

“I can feel your pain and I can’t stay away. Can we hold you?”

I take a deep steadying breath and nod. I know Creed can feel my emotions and Chester feels more than he lets on. I’m not sure of the full extent of his abilities; he probably doesn’t know that much about them since he refuses to tap into them.

They move in closer to the bed, both men stripping down to their boxers–well scratch that, Chester gets naked. I turn my attention to Creed because now isn’t an appropriate time for sex. I can’t mask these feelings. Chester crawls in behind me, pulling me into his chest; my ass nestled comfortably against his rock hard cock. Creed gets in on the other side and turns his back to me so I can spoon him. My mood starts to mellow, and I can’t believe I forgot again. Whenever I want to be alone, he is always there trying to comfort me one way or another–even if I don’t want him to be. But, it’s too late now, there’s no way he would leave even if I kicked him out.

***

My eyes fall open and the room is pitch black. I’m pinned to the bed by Chester’s arm, which is slung over my waist, and Creed's legs tangled in mine. With a full bladder, I wiggle my way out from under them, surprised when neither of them wake up. I tip toe across the room quietly so they both can keep sleeping.

I walk into my ensuite, close the door and flick on the light. Sitting on the toilet, it hits me like a smack in the face–like I knew it would. I wanted to sleep it off before processing everything that went down yesterday, but Creed's calming presence lulled me into a sense of security. I’m mad; they all lied to me. Again. A-fucking-gain. I finish up and go down to the kitchen to get a glass of water.

My mind is still reeling from everything they told me. My head falls back and I bite back the scream that wants to unleash all of the anguish plaguing me. My eyes open, landing on a smoke alarm, and I remember a new rule that was implemented recently: all smoke alarms have to be interconnected–a new safety measure or some shit. It’s annoying as fuck because when one goes off they all go off. Which gives me an idea. I climb onto the kitchen bench and press the tester button. The alarms blare through the house, and I stand there on the damn bench in nothing but a shirt and wait. They will all come this way looking for me, or in the case of Chester and Creed, they’ll come down to find me.

Within seconds, Creed comes running down the stairs. “Tenshi,” he screams, panic in his voice. He flicks the light on just as Chester runs into his back. They both look up at me, and I point to the table. I smirk at the fact that Chester is still naked.

Within a minute the kitchen is filled with half naked men. Relief washes over them as they notice me standing here; I do the same to them and point to the table. The only person missing is Kai. Once they’re all seated, Kai drags himself into the kitchen with sleep filled eyes, his black hair sticking up all over the place, wearing a pair of black boxer briefs, a button up long sleeved business shirt–though the buttons aren’t done in the right order–and his damn crocs.

“Thanks for joining us, at least I know not to rely on you to save me in an emergency.”

“You learn something new everyday,” he rasps as he walks to the table, then sits down. I shake my head and jump down from the bench.

“Care to explain why you woke us all up at two in the morning in your underwear.” Boston asks, annoyance lacing his tone.

“Please let it be an orgy,” Kai mumbles to himself as he places his head down on the table and closes his eyes.

“No,” I cross my arms across my chest, which only enhances my cleavage so I drop them to my side. “I’m mad and I need to yell.” I snap.

“The floor is yours, Wildflower.” I see the sadness in Case’s eyes. Out of all the guys, Case and Chester have seemed to struggle with my return the most.

“How could you?” I admonish, focusing on Team Hades. “You all knew what it felt like to lose me, that pain you went through. Case, the way you explained to me that it felt like your heart was ripped from your chest? I felt that and yet you all lied to me, again. How many lies will there be? Any more secrets you need to share because one more lie and I’m out. If I want to be around people who lie to me, I may as well go and live with Mr. Z. At least I don’t trust him and if I have no expectations then I can’t get hurt because that’s what you have done–hurt me, again and again and again. And stupid me, I just throw myself at all of you because it’s how I feel loved. But you know what? Fuck you all because my legs are closed. You want to prove your love or feelings or whatever, then I want gifts…”

Boston opens his mouth to say something, but I shoot him a glare and he snaps it shut.Good boy.

“Yes, you heard me right.” I nod my head. “Because make no mistake, I’m pissed. I want to lash out and hurt you all, but that won’t get me far because most of you are fucked in the head and would get off on that. Oh, and I take back the no sex because I shouldn’t be punished, but it better be the best sex that I’ve ever had and while we are on the subject of sex, none of you get a say. I love sex. I don’t want a traditional relationship, I never have. If you don’t want in on this, then say so now. You don’t have to be part of, whatever the fuck this cluster fuck is called, but there will be no take backs. If you’re out, you’re out.”

I take a breath and look around the room. “Brennan?” I question with a raised brow. I know he has avoided the issue and well fuck him. His elbows rest on the table and his head falls into his hands. “Answer me,” I demand as my patience with his silence snaps.

“That’s not fair,” he murmurs, rubbing the heels of his hands in his eyes.

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