Page 112 of Entangled

Dom’s radio clicks on with a static buzz, and a blare of background music. “Dom? You in range? Acknowledge, over.”

Beau.I hurry up closer, in time to see some of the subtle tension in Dom bleed out. He pushes a button on his kit radio.

“Roger, Beau. Reading loud and clear.” He pauses. “It’s good to hear your voice. Over.”

His radio clicks on again, and the music in the background is deafening. “I’d like to say the same, but I can’t hear shit. Can you get her up here any faster? Lucky won’t turn off the?—”

There’s the sound of a scuffle, and the radio sounds like it’s thumped a few times.

“Captain, this is Steel Rain. I’ve commandeered this radio for an important broadcast. You’re being too slow, and I want to see Eden. Over.”

Dom gives me an amused look as my cheeks heat—and my heart aches. Why is Lucky being adorable now? He’s in love with Jasper. I don’t want my heart to fill like this. Not when it’s only going to burst as soon as Jasper finally admits to his feelings.

And hewilladmit to them. I know what I said last night shook something in him.

Lucky is a masochist. Jasper, a sadist. To use Lucky’s words... it just makes sense.

He and I don’t. Not really. Lucky needs more than I can ever give him—Jasper’s caution about me not fitting him because I’m not a masochist fits just as neatly to my situation with Lucky. I’m not a dominant or a sadist. And now that I know he loves Jasper, it seems absurd to even try to compete. It’sJasper. Wickedly beautiful, heartbreakingly cruel, sadistic, clever, thoughtful Jasper. It’s impossible to miss the appeal.

They’ll be beautiful together, as soon as Jasper extracts his head from his behind. Lucky has been lonely—it’s no wonder he wanted someone to pass the time with. Particularly under the bonds of our deal, and no emotional risk needing to be taken.

But God. Does he have to be sosweet?

The music is getting louder, thrumming with a rock rhythm I’m sure I’ve heard before.

Dom’s eyes lift skyward, and he clicks his radio back on. “For the last time, we’re not calling you Steel Rain, Lucky. We’re almost there, over.”

Dom’s radio clicks on again to a loudthump. “Please hurry, would you? He’s been playing this song on repeat for the last hour, and I’m ready to strangle him. Over and out.”

The trees in front of us start to change, turning from green and into burned-out husks. The massive front lawn is charcoal black, but sprouting with greenery between the death, and the apple tree’s bare boughs seem like the frail limbs of an injured patient. There’s a massive pile of debris sitting like a grave marker where Jaykob’s barn used to tower.

At least the bodies have been cleared away.

Bristlebrook looms behind all of it, set deep into the cliff. Windows are taped and boarded shut, and there are new marks and imperfections scarring its face... but it’s still beautiful. Still strong and safe and the most special place I’ve ever lived.

Best of all, on the porch, I see Beau and Lucky standing in wait.

It’s only then, finally, as our people pool out of the trees, that the song hits me.

Garden of Eden.

I laugh, and tears spill out of my eyes.

I’mhome.

Chapter28

Eden

Survival tip #264

Cuddle the pretty men.

It might be your last chance.

Itake off at a run, tears streaming down my face, and they jump down from the porch, running to meet me.

We’re just about to converge, and it looks like Lucky is bracing for a tackle, when Beau grabs his collar at the last minute, jerking him back hard.

---