Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 62782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
I made a friend.
I made a damn friend.
One I have plans with and who stares at me like he wants to kiss me.
This is not only the best birthday, but it’s the best day of my entire life.
Cyrus gave me the silent treatment the rest of the day, long after the visitors left. He pawned me off on Harrison, who happily showed me the ropes at the office. Bradley was unimpressed by my employment and told Cy as much. Cy ignored his displeasure and sent him off to do rounds at the campsites.
Nothing could sour my mood.
The quiet ride back home allowed me to secretly imagine my friendship with Cash. I didn’t dare think about kissing Cash for fear of Finnick razzing me more, but I did think about our conversation, replaying it over and over in my head.
As soon as we reach the cabin, I climb out, stomach growling at the scent of ribs smoking. Cy is tense and refuses to look at me. Some birthday.
“About damn time you guys got here,” Finnick says in greeting on the porch. “I’m dying of hunger—what the fuck?!”
In a flash, Cy attacks him. His fist slams across Finnick’s cheek, making him stumble and fall on his ass. Judd charges out of the cabin while I remain frozen, stunned. Cy rains more punches at Finnick until Judd yanks him back.
“You. Will. Not,” Cy snarls, pointing a finger at Finnick. “Are we clear?”
There’s so much chaos pulsating through the bond, I’m having trouble making sense of any of it. Cy’s rage is an inferno, blazing through every thought and sensation inside my head.
“What did he do?” Judd asks calmly.
Cy shakes him off and storms into the house. Judd’s gaze darts my way, his brows furrowed in confusion. As if I fucking know.
And then it hits me.
Finnick’s words replay inside my head.
At this point, I’m going to take one for the team and fuck Remy just so he’ll stop popping boners every twelve seconds.
But that means…
I take off running into the cabin, hot on Cy’s heels. He’s just closing his bedroom door but I stop it with my body, shouldering my way into it. His back is turned toward me so he doesn’t have to hear what I have to say. Well, too damn bad. He’s going to hear it. I step around until I’m in front of him. With furious gestures, I sign to him.
What was that about?
“Nothing.” His blazing blue eyes try and affect a look of disinterest, but I’m not fooled. He’s vibrating with anger like I’ve never seen before, which is saying a lot since being pissed off is his favorite mood.
Liar.
Cy’s nostrils flare at my signed accusation. Rather than speaking, his massive hands move with sharp, exaggerated jerks as he signs back, He had it coming.
Why? I sign in demand. Why would you beat him up like that?
“He doesn’t know when to shut his mouth,” he snaps, his neck muscles tightening with the movement. “I shut it for him.”
I’m not about to let him know I can hear their voices because then they’ll really inject themselves into my life even further, but I have to know.
Because of me?
He waits a beat after my question and then waves me off as though I’m an annoying child. “I’m going to shower for dinner. Go see Rey.”
I shake my head with a fierce movement. Tell me.
Ignoring me, he shoves past me toward the shower, shedding his shirt along the way. A flush of heat burns down my spine, and I shudder at the force of it. I’m annoyed to even notice. It’s Cy, for crying out loud. The same manly, rugged asshole he’s always been. Not attractive. Nope.
Reaching out, I swipe out to grab his arm and stop him. My fingers clutch tight, firm muscle. The touch has him exploding. He turns on me, a growl rattling so hard my teeth practically clatter together, and shoves me against the wall. I suck in a sharp gasp of air that smells like pine and sage. His massive hand grips my throat, his thumb pressing into the mottled flesh.
“Stop it,” he hisses. “Just stop it.”
Mom screams even as the thing tries to eat her alive. Her grip on my hand is so tight. I want to run away, but I’m scared to leave her alone. I can see Hope’s body from nearby. The thing already got her. Already did what it’s now doing to Mom. Harsh thrusting from the beast as it feeds on her. Soon, she doesn’t make any sounds at all. I let out a sob. The thing turns its ravenous stare on me, and then it pounces. My clothes are ripped from me, the sound of fabric tearing almost as loud as the growls. It tries to mount me too, but I’m too small for it to penetrate. I scream and fight, the pain almost too much to bear. When it’s unsuccessful, it goes for my throat. The tearing of my skin and muscles feels like a nightmare. Everything turns black.