Page 48 of Smoke the Enemy

“Something isn’t right.” I shake my head, unease swimming under my skin. “That seemed too perfectly executed.”

“Make sure Taylor is still at the house,” Steffan instructs, and for the first time I don’t mind. I’m already wanting to know the same. I pull up the camera feed, and sure enough, she’s still in the same position she was in when we left. Our girl was exhausted. The constant worry she’s been living in has only added to the extra weight she was already carrying. Taylor has been hunted, she’s been threatened, and she has to put up with us Carmichael twins. It hasn’t been easy, and I take pride in seeing her fight her way through it all. She’s strong, beautiful, and ours. My chest squeezes painfully. It’s a feeling I’m not used to, and I can only guess what it means, even if I’m not ready to admit it yet. I know that once the words leave my mouth, there is no taking them back. I need Taylor to know that.

After all, she deserves one last chance at survival before we corrupt her completely.

Blue Rose, Alabama

Taylor

I woke up alone and was ready to grab my things and leave when the guys rushed into the room and said they wanted to take me as their date to a family event. In under thirty minutes they packed and drove me home to get a bag, as well, before we headed to the airport. Steffan seemed to sense my anxiousness about the situation, and even offered to let Kali come with. They promised we would get dresses there when I started to use that as an excuse. The whole trip felt rushed and chaotic. I had never heard of the party we were attending either. Until Soren told me the name, Illicit Lovers Gala, a type of event they use to prepare for the bigger party on Valentine’s Day. I had been so wrapped up in the Bryce situation and trying to outrun Alex that it hadn’t even dawned on me the next big holiday was Valentine’s Day.

We’re guided to a private plane. Soren and Steffan are tense the entire flight, and they sit on either side of me. Lee and Kali sit across from us with the exotically handsome guy I don’t know very well, but now know is named Jose, but whom they call Succo. My cheeks heat as I look at both Lee and Jose, my dream coming to the forefront of my mind. We’re in such close proximity, I can smell their expensive cologne and feel their body heat. I sit quietly with my legs crossed, no one the wiser that I’ve fantasied about having all four of them and here they are within arm’s reach.

Nobody but Kali speaks. She asks more questions about the gala, all the while smirking at Lee.

“Steffan and Soren already told Taylor before I showed up.” Lee patiently explains there will be dresses there for us, and not to ask any more questions. But she continues as though there were no veiled threats.

Steffan watches Kali closely with calculating eyes. I nudge him and whisper, “What’s wrong?”

“Your friend seems very interested in Lee.”

Lee hears and scoffs. “She’s wasting her time.”

The whole situation has me on edge. I don’t want them arguing. Kali continues, completely unaffected by the exchange. She even continues to poke at Lee by calling him a different name.

“Liam,” Kali says sweetly, “will your girlfriend be there? Or will you need someone to stand in for you.” I wonder how much he’s going to put up with her purposely saying the wrong name.

“I’m going for her later,” Lee growls and cuts his eyes to Kali. “Since our plane is full,” he grumbles.

“I hope I didn’t take her seat.” Kali pretends to study her nails. “Then again, you might want to keep me in her seat. Who knows.”

Lee opens his mouth, but Steffan lifts his fingers slightly. Slowly Lee’s fingers curl into fists as he’s been silenced.

The plane can’t land soon enough, and when it does, we’re escorted to another SUV. I catch sight of our new location, and almost stumble when I see the word Minnesota.

“Our families like to take turns hosting events at different locations. The cabin we’re at tonight belongs to Lee’s side of the family,” Soren explains.

On the ride to the cabin, Steffan explains they won’t see us until tonight at the gala. It’s tradition for masks to be used. Each person in attendance chooses a token, and the night plays out much like a chase. At the end of the night, whoever you are with is your date to the Valentine’s dance hosted by a member of The Illicit. “And don’t worry, we’ll always find you, Little Mouse. Nobody is going to have you tonight. Nobody but us.”

God, I hope he’s right.

This is not a cabin. This is a log mansion plucked right out of a fairytale. A house servant leads me and Kali to our resting quarters. A coldness settles over Kali, and I take her hand. “Hey, you okay?”

She walks around the room hugging herself. “Doesn’t this make you sick? All this indulgence and over-the-top-type luxury. It’s not necessary.”

“I agree, but if they can afford it, who are we to judge?” I sit on the softest mattress.

Kali rushes over to sit next to me. “Where do you think they gained their wealth? Look at their crest. Snake, fox, wolf, alligator…all predators. You’d do well to remember these aren’t good people.”

The urge to defend them is strong, but how easily I forget the monsters I sleep with. I’m in love with the villains. That’s why I’m here. They’re letting me know I will have to choose, and if I choose them, I’ll have to look the other way despite my morals.

“But we can still have some fun this weekend, right?” Kali’s voice is back to normal.

“What if what happens here determines more than just this weekend?”

“Let’s survive the weekend and then go from there. Now, let’s put on these hot as fuck dresses and make these dangerous billionaires putty in our hands.”

“You got it, roomie.” There’s a soft knock on the door. Kali and I frown at each other before I go to open the door. An adorable redhead is standing there, and she looks painfully shy. “Hi…” She waves awkwardly. “I’m Bailee.”

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