Page 22 of Smoke the Enemy

Then me taking her virginity that night felt like the first time for both of us. I gave her a part of me that I’d never shared with a woman, just as she gave me a part of herself that hadn’t been shared before. There was no doubt after that I planned to claim her as mine. Until The Brotherhood called me away. Fucking Bryce Van Doren pulling his shit instead of walking away. They spared his life, and instead of leaving with dignity, he had to attack my twin.

I saved Soren. Bryce lost his leg, sure, but Allison gained a little snack. My father didn’t appreciate my efforts because he was too worried what The Illicit would say. For a man who talks a big game, he sure does worry about the opinions of others. Unless… he sent me away because he knows what I’m capable of. I’m not some little soldier who follows his every order. Or one of his well-trained puppies waiting for his every command.

I’m Soren Carmichael. The monster he molded me into at a young age. Instead of grooming me intohisdangerous weapon, I became his greatest threat. Unfortunately, he knows that while he squeezed out any compassion until I was left a soulless shell, I still have two weaknesses: Steffan and Taylor.

I send a text to check in with the scab who is monitoring Taylor’s house. He assures me everything has been good.Well, other than her being in a wreck and left helpless and at the mercy of Dupree.It’s been too long since I checked on my little mouse personally, and it sounds like I need to make a quick trip to see her for myself. I miss the way her cheeks flare pink and how she looks so shocked at everything I do. I can’t wait to tell her all the depraved things I have in mind once she’s ours again. Every day during winter break that ticks by is tedious. I’m ready to end both the Van Doren and Dupree line, and of course, my brother dearest is taking his time, following the rules and looking for the loophole in our tradition with the ties. We both know Alex had to trick my little mouse in order to get her to accept the tie. I’m getting tired of listening to my brother and Lee go over all the details and plans. I’m ready for action. It’s Christmas Eve and soon winter break will be over, which I’m grateful for. I’m ready to get back to Blue Rose and away from my father, and hopefully closer to Taylor.

Lee has been able to gather information that Alex is indeed back in their hometown. Any time he spends around Taylor is too much. I remember everything she told me about him and how terrified she was around him. The only moments of terror I want her having are the ones I like to give her, but she likes those. She knows my intentions in the end are to give her pleasure, not to keep her scared and timid.

“She obviously didn’t know about the significance of the blue tie, which means she didn’t know about The Illicit before,” Stephan argues.

“So we tell her our little family secret,” I drawl, my gaze turning to my brother where he is pacing in front of the fireplace.

“You know you can’t just tell her everything. There would have to be an agreement, and if Alex fights it,” Lee adds his two cents from the leather armchair he reclines in across from me.

“Then we kill him,” I shrug, and take a deep pull from the whiskey in my glass.

“We’re trying notto bring more accelerant to this fire,” Steffan interjects, and I take another drink.

“If there was ever a perfect time, it’s now. A killer has been running around the campus all semester.”

“Delta Pi Theta has already been implicated in that mess, this would only bring more questions, especially if he plans to attend Thorn University as a Dupree,” Lee interjects again, and I fight the urge to roll my eyes. Between the two of them, how have they ever made any decisions?

“There’s always our girl, Allison,” I remind him.

Steffan side-eyes me, “Are you actually here to be helpful?”

“I am being helpful. There are many options, but you two keep going around in circles. In the meantime, Taylor is just sitting there and Alex Dupree is circling her, looking for an opening. He is setting the tone with her about The Illicit, about us, and all the shit that happened to her on campus. Plus, she was in a fucking car accident and he was there to save her,” I remind them.

My brother’s head drops and he cradles it in his hands. Neither of us were happy to learn that information. If it hadn’t been for our secret scout, we never would have known. “He reported she was banged up, but nothing was broken. Just a superficial cut on her forehead. I know waiting isn’t your strong suit–”

“Wrong,” I interrupt him. “Waiting a year to come back home. Waiting and watching from the shadows to–”

Lee snorts. “Fucking creep.”

I charge at him, ready to mess up his pretty boy face. Steffan steps in between us and continues speaking, “Butyou do understand that right now she not only fears Alex, but The Brotherhood as well. We haven’t proven The Brotherhood is innocent in all the murders. If we keep trying to come at her too hard, she could get scared off completely. Taylor is smart. She has seen past his bullshit before, and she can again. Right now she wants time, and the least we can do is give her that,” Steffan argues back, and I hate that I can see his point. He won’t say it out loud in case our father can hear, and know he has a weakness, but I know he misses her. He checks in with the scout more than I do, and that’s saying something.

I remember Taylor’s expression when she told me about Alex. I also remember the little glint in her eye when I saw her last. She wasn’t sure she was doing the right thing leaving us. True, she was scared and confused, but I saw it. There was a hint of questioning herself, and knowing our girl, I’m sure she thought she needed to psychoanalyze every part of her subconscious because of it. I call her our girl in my mind because as much as Steffan may not like to believe it, I know he thinks he had her first, she is ours. She wants us both. And the sooner my brother gets on board with sharing her, the happier we’ll all be.

“How long?” I manage to growl out, my eyes shooting to Steffan’s.

“Until break is over.” He nods and I see his lips pull in a grimace, “Unless she makes the move to come to us first.”

The three of us fall into silence, each of us reflecting on the decision that was made. I for one do not intend to pretend that I like it. I want her here and I want her willing. Steffan wants the same, but he won’t admit it. The rules of The Illicit have been beat into him by our father from an early age, and if our father ever doubts Steffan, there is no way he’ll let him take over one day. A loud vibrating noise cuts through the silence, and my brow raises.

“It’s Bailee,” Lee says as he pulls his phone out of his pocket. Red-hot jealousy flares in my stomach. Bailee is the girl Lee is obsessed over. The angel to his devil. She calls him daily to check in, but I’ve yet to meet her. I just hate that he gets to talk to her, see her over the holiday, and I’ve overheard them having phone sex. With every action between the two of them, I’m reminded of what I’m missing out on right now.

“When are we going to meetBailee?” I ask him.

His phone continues to ring as his gaze hardens at my question. “I’m not bringing her anywhere near your psycho ass.”

I snort and nod.Fair enough.

“Have I met her? What’s her last name?” Steffan runs his finger along his bottom lip in thought.

Lee fidgets in his seat and presses the End button to stop the ringing. He rubs his hands together, and I narrow my eyes to study him.Is it the lighting, or is this motherfucker turning all kinds of shades of green?

“Get him a bag, Steff. Your boy is about to hurl his lunch all over the place.”

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