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Chapter 37
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2024-09-12 23:05:26Pots boiled around me, the aroma of the garlic and wine sauce, awaiting the mussels, filled the air, and glancing at my phone, I noted the time. Picking up the plates, silverware, and the two wine glasses I’d balanced on the plates, I carried them over to the table I’d set up in the bar area.
Setting out the plates and silverware, I eyeballed the table, then shifting the candles I'd purchased, I stepped back, judging my handy-work. Satisfied at last, with the way everything looked, I returned to the pots and pulled the lobsters out. As they cooled, I prepared citrus butter to brush on them, and then placed the lobsters in the broiler.
When the tails were finally broiling, I washed and pulled the beards off the mussels, then dumped the lot in the prepared pot, setting the timer for five minutes.
An
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Three days after the disastrous birthday dinner, I’d moved out of the compound amid loud protestations from Ginger, Rook and Burdock, but I’d heard nothing from Torin. And, as one day had passed into two, I continued shutting Torin out of my life. By the end of the week, I’d gotten my old job back with Jess at the bar and was moving forward with my life.The night of the eighth day after leaving Torin behind me, my phone buzzed with a text message, and picking it up, I read the message.Torin: When I Was Your Man by Bruno MarsInsanely, I gave a sniff with the sudden moisture that sprang to my eyes. Ridiculous that something so simple as a song could bring me to tears. Torin never did anything without purpose though, so I knew there was a message within the song he wanted me to hear. After bringing the song up on my phone, I closed my eyes, and listened.A few days later, checking my mailbox after I got home from work, I found a plain white envelope inside with nothing on it but my f
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Come the next morning, I stared at my roommate, Brian Remington, my eyes wide with desperation. "Please let go of my toaster!" I begged.Brian wore a mischievous grin, my beloved toaster in his hand, a look of triumph on his face. "Oh come on, it's not like I'm never going to give it back," he said, his voice filled with laughter, seemingly taking great pleasure in my distress."I need it for breakfast," I pleaded, my stomach growling with hunger. "I can't start my day without an Eggo, you know that," I protested.Giving another chuckle, he took a bite of his own Eggo, the crispy waffle dripping with syrup. "You're such a weirdo," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "You and your Eggo obsession."I gritted my teeth and tried again. "Please, just give it back. I'll do anything."Brian raised an eyebrow. "Anything?" he repeated, his voice filled with intrigue.I nodded eagerly, my desperation getting the better of me. "Yes, anything. Just give me back my toaster."Brian grinned. "A
Last Updated : 2024-09-14Torin-Shattered: Way Down We Go (Part 1) Chapter 40
Later that evening, I parked LadyBug in the bar's parking lot, and as I put the transmission in park, I glanced around. The parking lot was filled with an unusual amount of Mercedes and Jaguars, and alongside them, I could see usual pickups and cars. The mix of wealth and blue-collar made it clear tonight was not going to be a typical night. With a sigh, I looked into my rearview mirror and adjusted my ponytail, then wiped away a smudge of lipstick under my lip. Afterward, opening my door, I stepped out into the heat, and instantly, the humidity erased the coolness the car's air conditioner had provided. With a grimace at the mugginess of the evening, I hurried across the parking lot and was practically at a run by the time I made it through the employee's entrance. The scent of cigars, cologne, and a hint of perfume drifted from the open doors of the bar and into the employee's lounge, hitting me instantly as I stepped through the doorway and into the bar area. A strongly built boun
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With my earlier thoughts still bouncing around in my head, I poured another drink, and at the same time, glancing up, I noticed the two bouncers near the VIP room eyeing the dancers. Red flags went up as one of them, heavily built with a shaved head and a neck tattoo, whispered something into a small earpiece. My curiosity piqued, and I glanced over at Tannin. However, she was busy shaking a cocktail and hadn’t noticed the men's odd actions.As I watched the men for a few more seconds, the music switched back over to a fast-paced tempo, and the bar's rhythm once again picked up. Unable to pin-point exactly what it was about the men’s behavior that was setting me off, I shrugged and turned to the row of taps behind me, pouring beers with the precision of a seasoned pro. As I was topping off the glasses, a hand slammed down onto the counter behind me, interrupting my flow and startling me. Looking over my shoulder with a frown, I took in the tall, well-dressed man who stood on the other
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As I watched, Lucien and the other two clinked their glasses together, the sound echoing through the bar. After they threw back the shots, John and Rick’s features contorted from the fiery brew as it slid down their throats. Their faces turned red, and sweat popped on their foreheads, their eyes beginning to water. But Lucien remained stoic, seemingly unfazed, as, eyes locked on me, he set his glass down. Licking his lips and carrying a smug look in his eyes, he murmured, "Your turn."With a nod, I grabbed a glass and filled it with the potent liquid. The room fell silent, the music fading into the background, as taking a deep breath and feeling the heat from the peppers sting my nose, I downed the shot. The burn was intense, causing me to suck in a slight breath as I fought a grimace.Lucien's eyes never left mine, admiration filling their depths. As he leaned in closer, he whispered, "I knew you had a fire in you. Now, let's see if you can keep up."The dance of power between us had
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The next morning as I came down the stairs smothering a yawn, Brian was flipping through channels on the TV, the volume blasting. With a shake of my head, I made my way toward the kitchen, then uttered a groan as I stepped into the room. Pots, pans, dishes and the makings of God only knew what, were everywhere; they overflowed the sink, the counters, and spilled over onto the floor. As I gazed at the sight before me, I couldn’t help thinking, “Damn Brian, what the hell did you make that could have possibly made this big of a mess?” Jesus, I mean, I loved having Brian as a roommate, but the guy had no respect for cleanliness.With a shake of my head, I gave one last look at the disaster, then turned on my heel and exited the room. Nope, not dealing with it today!As I was passing the front door, my steps were abruptly stilled by the knocking that came from the other side of it.~~Moments later, and the last thing I expected to see when I swung the door open, was the sight of a man in a
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The Hideout was a dingy place, the kind that had seen better days. The smell of stale cigarettes and cheap whiskey lingered in the air along with an underlying tension. The counter was crowded with what I assumed were regulars. I recognized Tonya from my days at the Raven’s compound, Rook spotted her as well, his eyes narrowing as he took in her nervous glances. He leaned closer to me, speaking into my ear so only I could hear, "She knows something."I nodded, my eyes flicking over Tonya. She had always had a soft spot for Rook, and I knew she would be willing to help if she could. As we approached the bar, Tonya slipped away from the group, meeting us halfway, her eyes pinned on Rook."What's going on, Rook?" she whispered, her voice trembling.He didn't mince words. "We have a snitch. Someone's been selling us out to the cops."Tonya’s eyes darted about the room before she spoke, "I think I know who it might be," she said in a hushed tone. "But I need to be sure before I say anything
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As I moved across the floor toward Lucien, his eyes never left mine. A slow smile spread across his lips, and when I came to stop before him, he greeted, “Marlowe.” Then, voice a caress, he continued, “You’re looking...different.”A small smile gracing my lips, I teased, “That so? Different is good, right?” After receiving a nod in response, I asked, “The usual?” His gaze traveled over me, a look of appreciation in his eyes. “Perhaps something a little extra, as well?” He teased, his voice silky and smooth: like warm whiskey.His words were and obvious innuendo, and I held little doubt he was referring to the dance we had shared. His boldness didn’t surprise me, as his personality was strong and somewhat forceful.Without removing my gaze from his, I brazenly replied, “Only if you can handle it.” Offering me a smile that hit me in the gut, for it was a slow, sexy quirk, he breathed, “Oh, I can handle it.” Sexual tension sparked between us, a live wire ready to catch fire at any mome
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Half an hour later, I made my way through the shadows, my senses on high alert for any sign of danger. I’d been unable to get a hold of Rook, and unable to let things rest until I did, I’d parked LadyBug a little way up the road from the Dinelli estate, and set out on foot. Now, as I reached the edge of the property, I heard a sound of twigs breaking underfoot, and before I could react, I had the barrel of a pistol pressed against the side of my head."You've got some nerve," a man's voice sneered right next to me ear. "You do realize this is private property, right?"I swallowed hard, my hand inching closer to the knife I’d placed in my waistband and fingers wrapping around the handle. “Private property? No, can’t say I did,” I lied, securing the knife in my grip.The man took a step closer, his bulk brushing against my back, but keeping the gun firmly in place. “Boss don’t take kindly to strangers crawling around the grounds,” he sneered. Afterward, he chuckled, a sound that sent ch
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I stared at the empty space where Torin had been. If what he said was true, then I was in deeper trouble than I had realized. This wasn’t just about some stolen money as Lucien had claimed; it was about family bloodlines and vengeance.As the door to my room creaked open, I pretended to sleep, my breathing shallow and even. Soft footsteps approached my bed, and I peeked through my lashes, seeing Tannin. She looked exhausted, as leaning over me she tucked the edge of my blanket in a little more securely."How you doing? You need anything? Something to eat? Drink?" she asked.I shook my head, tempted to telling her about Torin visiting again, but for some reason I held my tongue.Her hand hovered for a moment longer before standing, she murmured, "Just holler if you change your mind," then retreated, closing the door softly behind her.After she'd left, I lay for hours, thinking about Torin's visit and listening to the sounds about the apartment; the low volume of the tv. The hum of a
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As I laid back down, my thoughts raced. How could I face the monster that Lucien had shown me he was? I had survived the attack, but the fear remained, like a stubborn stain on my soul. I needed to find a way to get him to leave me alone for good.I needed to be smart, to use my brains as a weapon.I thought back to the night of the attack, to the words that had been exchanged. "Where's the fucking money, Rylee?" he had snarled. Another puzzle piece I was missing. Had Torin taken the money? And if he did, how the hell had he gotten his hands on it?I knew I had to get better, to get my strength back. I needed to face this situation head-on, and I couldn't do that lying in bed.The following days were a blur of pain, both physical and emotional. Each breath I took was a reminder of the bullet that had pierced my side. Surgeon had patched me up as best as he could, but the healing process was slow. Tannin, Jess and Rook took turns caring for me, their eyes filled with a mix of concern a
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Tannin’s voice brought me out of my memories, as sitting beside me, her eyes filled with concern, she asked, "You okay?"Nodding, I swiped at a tear that cruised its way down my cheek. "Yeah. Just haunted by some old memories."Her hand found my shoulder and she gave it a gentle squeeze. "Here, lay back," she urged, fluffing the pillows behind me with her free one. "You need to rest."With a sigh, I laid back on the pillows, allowing them to envelope me like a warm hug. "What if...." I began, then shook my head, allowing the words to trail off. Too many questions to voice. What if Torin really was alive? Why now? Why, after a year of absence, did he come back?Tannin sat down on the edge of the bed, and taking my hand, she murmured, "For now, rest. You're in no kind of shape to figure any what-if's. Heal first, answers after, okay?"I knew she was right, and that worrying myself over something I couldn't say wasn't a dream, was not doing myself any favors. But the possibility Torin wa
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There were times it wasn’t all fun and games, though. The dangers of a club's lifestyle were real. There were fights, drugs, the occasional gunshot between Dad's charter and rival clubs, and Torin, the devil with the heart of gold, was in the thick of it all.As the months went on, I grew up fast. I started to filling out in ways that made the older guys look twice. Torin noticed the change too, his glances lingered a little longer, his touches became a bit more deliberate. Yet, despite my desire that he would, he never stepped over the line.One night, after a particularly nasty run-in with a rival gang, Torin sat me down on an old crate in the garage, his eyes dark and serious. “You care about me, right?” he’d asked, his voice gravelly with exhaustion.I’d nodded. "Of course," I'd murmured, wondering where he was going with his question.Letting out a sigh, Torin stated, "Just don't put me on a pedestal, Princess. I'll only let you down."But I'd known he never would. And the day I
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Days passed and I’d begun to think maybe Tannin was right and Torin had been nothing more than a pain-induced dream. Or maybe it was just me missing him. But if he hadn’t been real then I had one whopper of an imagination. Every nuance, every movement, even his intoxicating smell had been too fucking real. Painfully real. He was the devil, aptly named by his brothers. I’d been in Hell since I’d first caught sight of him all those years ago. I don’t know that I believe in love at first sight, but the feeling that had gone through me had been as close as what one could come to describing it as such.My dad had picked me up from school, the bike’s engine rumbling like a beast outside the school gates. It was the first time he’d ever done that, and the whispers of the other kids had been like a siren's call to the rebellious spirit I didn’t even know I had. I straddled the bike, feeling the leather of the seat stick to the bare skin below my shorts and the heat of the engine seep through
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~MARLOWE~I stared at my reflection, my features distorted within the fissures stretching the length of the bathroom mirror. My hands shook as I gripped the sink. Tiny droplets of red dripped from my hand, staining the porcelain red with my blood. Dropping my eyes, I stared at the cuts and gashes, my thoughts racing. Whispers of confusion filled my mind—Torin was alive. I’d suffered through a year of pain. Of grieving. Of walking a road of death that hadn’t been mine. How could he? How could he have done this? I had grieved over his casket, died with each toss of dirt placed upon it. Anger was a light emotion to the wail of fury that had arisen within me as I’d gazed at the features of the man who had taken my heart six-feet under with him.The door to the bathroom creaked open, and Tannin stepped in, her eyes widening at seeing the blood on the sink. "What the fuck Marlowe? Are you okay," she hissed, coming over to stand beside me as taking my hand in hers, she gazed at the mess I
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I glared at Lucien. "You're going to regret this," I hissed, my voice filled with loathing."Doubtful," Lucien said with a sneer, his hand tightening around my neck. "But you're going to, for not cooperating."Blood pounded in my head from lack of oxygen and the room spun, but I knew I had to get out of this somehow. Using what strength I had left, I head-butted him.At the blow, he stumbled back, cursing, and I used the brief moment of respite to kick the chair from under me, landing hard on the floor.My legs had gone numb from the tight ropes, but I managed to get to my knees, my eyes scanning the room for anything to use as a weapon.As I saw a glint of metal in the corner, a knife, I lunged for it, my heart in my throat. But before I could reach it, the door slammed open and Rook burst in, his eyes wide with alarm."Marlowe!" he bellowed, drawing a gun.The two thugs that had brought me here had their weapons drawn, but they weren’t fast enough. Rook fired a shot, and one of them
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"It seems, you’re my stepbrother,” I blurted. Then shrugging, I continued, “My mom…your dad."For a moment, something flickered in Lucien's eyes, something that might have been admission of former knowledge of the fact. But whatever it was, it was quickly hidden. "Okay, so?" he asked, his voice taking on a slight edge as he shifted a little straighter in his chair.“Well, don’t you think it makes our relationship a little…awkward?” I murmured."No. Do you?" Lucien's voice sounded like more of a snap than a question."Honestly? Yeah, I kinda do,” I returned, defensiveness entering my voice."And why should the fact your mom is married to my dad change anything between us?" he said, his laughter grating on my nerves like nails."Because we're family!" I exclaimed.Sitting straight up in his chair, he leaned across the table menacingly toward me, sneering, "You're not my family.”I stared at him, the hurt and betrayal burning in my chest. "You knew all along, didn’t you?"“That you’re my
