Santana
I’ve spent all morning trying to find a job with no luck. I’ve gone online and walked to a few shops with my resume in hand, but no one is hiring. Depression chokes me at the thought that Connor and I can lose the little bit we have. After hours of endless dead ends, I dejectedly make my way back home. Connor will be home from school soon. Saddened by the thought of going home empty-handed, I take a walk and clear my head. I don’t want Connor to see my look of hopelessness. I feel stupid walking around, holding my old worn blue, knit sweater tightly around my chest as the chill of the air penetrates my bones. The neighborhood is pretty active at this time. People are milling the streets, and kids are running around like a pack of wild dogs. Hopefully, they’re not looking for trouble.
I’ve lived here for so long that I’m desensitized to the shady happenings around me. For example, there are two suspicious men in an alley tryin
DeclanI’m on my way home when my cell phone rings. My feelings are in turmoil. I can’t shake the feeling that something is really wrong, and it’s driving me nuts. Looking at the screen, I hit the answer button and snicker. “Yes, Priest?” I answer curtly. His reply is just as curt. “We have a lead on Christoph. I spoke to Cameron earlier. He told me something interesting. Apparently, when he and Reaper began investigating Willem’s activities, they discovered that Willem had procurers in his prostitution ring. Christoph was one of the main procurers of girls. They each divided a territory where they scouted “talent.” I want you to look into it. He might still be doing business in those places, or there might be someone there who might know what’s going on.”I nod my head in agreement. “It might be possible, but didn’t Cameron and
SantanaI can’t believe that this is happening to us. What was Connor thinking? Perroni could have killed us. Everything seems so surreal at that moment. Especially the part where Declan came in and saved us. It was like something out of a movie. Declan’s face is expressionless as he steers the vehicle through the darkened streets. Observing him from beneath the fringe of my lashes, I think through what has just occurred. I still don’t understand how our life has gotten so out of control. And now that Declan is involved, I feel worse. Connor was right; Declan is a killing machine. I had never seen someone fight like that before.My heart plummets at the thought of what would have happened if Declan hadn’t shown up. I never expected Perroni’s obsession to reach such a dangerous level. I should have listened to Connor when he said not to trust the guy. Now we’re homeless and penniless, and it scares me. I know Declan means well, but I
DeclanI watch as Hunter leads Santana and Connor out the door feeling a weight on my chest. They both look beat down and tired, and I want to kill Perroni for making them feel that way. It also kills me that she and Connor think they’re an inconvenience to me.Once they’re out of sight, I turn to Priest. He’s leaning back in his chair with his arms folded across his chest. “So, what happened to you needing to stay away?” I let out an exasperated breath and shift in my seat. But Priest is not easily deterred. What do I tell him? Anything I say would make me sound like an infatuated idiot. Placing my elbows on my knees, I clench my teeth and respond. “I know I said I’d stay away, but something told me that I needed to check on them─ and I was right. Who knows what would have happened if I hadn’t gotten there on time.”Priest straightens up on his chair and gives me a direct look. “Are you sure you’
SantanaI never expected to come into his room─ nevertheless, kiss him. However, as I stood there with my eyes glued to his powerful form, all I could think about was how badly I wanted to kiss him. Biting my lip, I watch as a droplet of water slides down his broad, sinewy chest until it disappears down the firm contours of his tight abs.My mind shut down, so I went with my instincts, threw my arms around his neck, and kissed him. He was surprised at first, but eventually, he gave in. A sigh escapes my lips when he tightens his arms around me and pushes me against the door. I tilt my head, biting his lower lip and dip my tongue into his mouth. He groans, sucking my tongue and bites my lower lip. The kiss is better than the last one.My fingers slide through his silky dark hair pulling his head closer to mine as his hands travel down my back. His groin rubs against mine pleasurably. My sheath tightens, and my clit throbs with our grinding movements. I moan when
DeclanAn excited knock on my door wakes me from my troubled dreams this morning. Throwing back the covers, I rise from the bed and rub my hands down my face to clear the haze of sleep from my mind. I didn’t sleep very well after Santana left my room last night. All I could do was think about the taste of her sweet lips and the feel of her warm, wet folds beneath my fingers. I open the door squinting when the light of the windows permeates the room. All I want to do is get back into bed and sleep for a few more hours.On the other hand, Hunter looks as fresh as a daisy, which adds to my misery. Clearing my throat, I lean my shoulder on the doorway and sigh. “What do you want, Hunter?”Hunter’s smile widens as he takes in my ragged appearance. I’m sure my hair is all over the place, and my eyes are swollen. “Damn D, you look like shit! What happened to you?” I let out an exasperated breath, run my fingers through my
SantanaI woke up this morning feeling foolish over what I did last night. Kissing and touching Declan was great, but his attitude towards me after what we did was horrible. I didn’t sleep a wink last night. My bedsheets are twisted, and I’m sure I look like a mess. I was so aroused that I had to pull all of my clothes off to be comfortable. I shuddered when the sheets caressed my nipples. Pleasure rushes through my body at the reminder of last night. I can’t stop thinking about how his body felt against mine. As soon as the thought surfaces, I let it go. Feeling depressed, I rise from the bed, pull the shirt over my head, slip on some shorts, and step out of the room. I’m walking down the hallway in search of Connor when I run into Hunter.“Hey, Santana. How you feeling this morning?” I shrug my shoulders, not wanting to share my mixed thoughts. “Hey, Hunter, I’m okay. I was actually on my way to check on C
Declan“You’re a selfish bastard, you know that?” Priest startles me from my thoughts as I watch Santana walk away. Once she’s out of sight, I turn to the living room doorway and come face-to-face with him. “I have no other choice, Priest.” He shakes his head and turns back to the stairs. However, it doesn’t stop him from casting one last stone. “Is that what your father said to your mother before he left you? Would it have made you both happier if he gave your mother money? Because to be honest, even though you’re an ass, it seems that Connor and Santana are shortchanging themselves for simply wanting you.”My stomach plummets with bile remembering how painful it was when my father walked away from us. I know that it would have hurt me if he’d just give my mother money and pretended that I didn’t exist. I should be happy that Santana and Connor want me to be part of their family, but
Santana“Hey, sis, where’s Declan?” Connor asks the moment I step through the office door. I shake my head and take a seat in one of the comfortable cushioned chairs. “I don’t know. What’s up?” Connor shrugs. “Just getting some things settled. Did you eat?” I nod my head. “Yeah, I ate.” Connor smiles in contentment and goes back to his computer. The kid is one-track-minded for sure. Rising from the chair, I pace around the room and turn back to him. “So, I was thinking. We still have a few dollars in the savings account and Alva’s ring. Since there’s nothing left here for us, I thought maybe we can start over again somewhere else.”Connor’s brows quirks with surprise. “What do you mean?” I take a deep breath before I reply. “I mean, maybe we can take a bus somewhere and find a new town to live in. One of my high school friends, Dana, is a physical therapist
EpilogueDeclan“Damn it, Connor! Why is there pizza sauce all over my laptop?” Connor peaks behind the office’s door, his face set in repentance. “Sorry, man, I was eating a slice when Hunter called and asked me to look up some data.” Giving him a withering glare, I wipe my keyboard and look back at the screen. “Where’s your sister?”Connor takes a seat in one of my office chairs and waves his hand above his head. “She’s out shopping for Sophia and Micah’s wedding present.” Exhaling deeply, I lean back in my chair and look at my brother. It’s been almost a year since Santana and I moved in together. Though Connor moved into a dorm, he still spends most of his time around our apartment. I can’t say it hasn’t been great because it has. After some work, Connor and I convinced Santana to hold off on working and attend school full-time. Because of that, she’ll be graduati
Santana“Wake up, sleepyhead.” I blink my eyes open to see my brother sitting next to me on the bed. “Hey? How did I get here?” I gaze down at my blanket-covered body, confused. Connor takes my hand and leans close to me with a proud grin. “We’re back in Priest’s garage. Declan carried you up here and tucked you into the bed.” I bite my lip and take a deep breath. “How long have I been asleep?” Connor smirks. “Almost two days, Sleeping Beauty. Priest said to let you sleep. The drug that crazy old witch gave you was still metabolizing through your system. Declan and Priest told me you were a total badass. That they didn’t have to save you because you were about to break out of that place on your own.”Sliding up on the bed, I lean back on the headboard with a bemused sigh. “Yeah, it was scary, but I didn’t have a choice.” Connor’s lip quirks. “I’m so glad yo
DeclanPriest and I arm up as Connor and Hunter attempt to hack into Perroni’s computer system. Thankfully, whoever took Santana didn’t disable her GPS, so we were able to track her. He must have not counted on the fact that Santana knew professional Assassins. And even though Connor is computer savvy, I’m sure they assumed he’d be lost or dead in the woods. Criminals can be so stupid sometimes.Once Hunter had her coordinates, we made our way to upstate New York until we were in front of a mansion in the middle of nowhere. Using our binoculars, we scope out the structure. We watch as a vehicle winds its way up the driveway. A man in a suit steps out of the vehicle and approaches the door. “This is where they must be holding the auction,” I mutter to the others.Priest takes another look and nods. “Yeah, and the man who just stepped out of that vehicle is Christoph Kazik.” I turn back to the house and take another
SantanaI don’t know where I am. I look around the empty, darkened room and pull my messy hair behind my ear. My body aches from being dragged, and my knees sting. There’s dried blood on them and on my bare feet. I must have lost my flats while they dragged me around. I’m alone, but I can hear male voices outside the door. I struggle against my bonds and slide across the barren floor, trying to decipher what they are saying but scurry back as soon as the door opens. Two men step inside. One of them is Perroni, and the other one is the one that dragged me out of the bus.Perroni smirks as he takes in my haggard appearance and squats down in front of me. “Hello, Santana. Surprised to see me?” He asks with a mocking sneer. I don’t respond. There’s no point because I know he’s playing with me. “I heard Connor got away. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it very far.” My heart skips with terror as I sit up and loo
DeclanI watch my brother and Santana step into the bus with a hollow feeling in my stomach. Every part of me objects to the idea of letting them go. Biting my lip, I pucker my mouth and tighten my fists around my cell phone. The look on Connor’s face as he walked away was nearly crippling, but it was worse to see Santana’s resigned yet disappointed expression. She hates me, and I don’t blame her. I’m a coward who let her shoulder the responsibility of caring for my brother without a fight and the man who made love to her with no promises. And even though it was the right thing to do, it still stung to wake up alone in her bed.My body aches from the exertion of trying not to run after them. Before I do something stupid, I turn to my car and drive away. It's the longest, most difficult drive I’ve ever experienced. Rubbing my chest, I swallow hard and inhale deeply, but the ache doesn’t abate. If anything, it feels worse. It gets to t
SantanaIt’s time to leave. This morning I snuck out of my room and spent most of the day trying to avoid Declan. I didn’t go back into the room until I knew he was gone. After our intense lovemaking, I figured it would be best if I left things as they were. Unlike me, Connor made every effort to be in Declan’s presence. He has always been the more forgiving of us. When I asked him, he told me it would be a waste of time to be angry at Declan, considering nothing would change. He’d rather savor every last minute he had with his brother. I figure that I’d let him have this, even if I didn’t agree with Declan’s easy disposal of his brother. I even let Connor ride shotgun on the way to the bus stop. There’s no point in having any further contact with Declan. It would just add to my sadness, and I’ve had enough sadness in my life.Once I left the bed, I went to the bathroom, cried a little, and gave myself a pep talk. W
Declan“You didn’t tell me that Connor’s sister was so beautiful.” My mother says in a conversational tone. However, I know her better than that, and I can tell that she wants to know if I’m interested in Santana. I don’t react, opting to keep my face expressionless before I respond. “Yes, she is. I didn’t know that it mattered.” Seeing that I’m not giving anything away, she deflates back in her seat with a sigh. “That’s too bad that she’s leaving, but maybe it’s for the best. I meant what I said about Connor; the boy looks just like you at eighteen. You must be relieved that you don’t have to deal with them for much longer.” I look at my mother from the corner of my eyes, trying to gauge her purpose, but she keeps a neutral expression.My thoughts return to the fact that Santana and Connor plan to leave. It was definitely unexpected, and I don’t know how to feel about
Santana“Hey, sis, where’s Declan?” Connor asks the moment I step through the office door. I shake my head and take a seat in one of the comfortable cushioned chairs. “I don’t know. What’s up?” Connor shrugs. “Just getting some things settled. Did you eat?” I nod my head. “Yeah, I ate.” Connor smiles in contentment and goes back to his computer. The kid is one-track-minded for sure. Rising from the chair, I pace around the room and turn back to him. “So, I was thinking. We still have a few dollars in the savings account and Alva’s ring. Since there’s nothing left here for us, I thought maybe we can start over again somewhere else.”Connor’s brows quirks with surprise. “What do you mean?” I take a deep breath before I reply. “I mean, maybe we can take a bus somewhere and find a new town to live in. One of my high school friends, Dana, is a physical therapist
Declan“You’re a selfish bastard, you know that?” Priest startles me from my thoughts as I watch Santana walk away. Once she’s out of sight, I turn to the living room doorway and come face-to-face with him. “I have no other choice, Priest.” He shakes his head and turns back to the stairs. However, it doesn’t stop him from casting one last stone. “Is that what your father said to your mother before he left you? Would it have made you both happier if he gave your mother money? Because to be honest, even though you’re an ass, it seems that Connor and Santana are shortchanging themselves for simply wanting you.”My stomach plummets with bile remembering how painful it was when my father walked away from us. I know that it would have hurt me if he’d just give my mother money and pretended that I didn’t exist. I should be happy that Santana and Connor want me to be part of their family, but