“We need to keep two steps ahead of him at all times,” Coop interjects. “He’s vengeful.”
“And power hungry,” Laken adds.
“And”—Coop looks to her—“he’s still in love with Laken. No thanks to me, Celestra as a whole is on his shit list.”
“Yeah, well”—Gage pulls me in until my back warms against his chest—“Wes has been on my shit list for a while now. If he starts sniffing around, I’ll have to kick his ass again.”
“There’s something else we should probably tell you.” Laken looks to Coop for a second.
My ears stop up with the noise from the party, and I lean in. “What?”
“Not here.” Coop glances around.
“All right.” Gage cinches his grip around me. “How about in a little while we head over to the beach.”
“Sounds good.” Laken and Coop take off for the buffet line, and I watch as her gaze hits the concrete, heavy as lead.
“It’s really hard for her to be around you.” I pull him in. I guess if Coop looked like Logan it would be a little awkward, too. He’s close, but Marshall eclipses him in that department. I glance at him, still in the hot tub with some yappy blonde talking his ear off. It looks like Marshall is right back to being Marshall, and my heart wrings out just thinking about it.
His eyes connect with mine, bright and heated. Don’t mistake company for pleasure.
I give a little smile Marshall’s way before spinning into Gage.
“I’ll steer clear of Laken and give her some space.” He nods behind me at his mother and Wesley’s other ex-girlfriend as they laugh themselves into oblivion. They’re hovering over the punch bowl each with a seltzer bottle in hand as the bubbles cascade over the rim and onto the ground.
God, Emma is laughing—like grip your belly, slap your knees, guffawing. She always seems so uptight with me. Hell, with anyone.
Gage nods over to Kresley. “And I plan on giving her a lot of space.”
“I appreciate that.” I rub my fingers over his cheeks. Gage is growing out his stubble, and he looks that much more adorable. “You’re just so damn hot. Once you get out on that field next Friday night, every girl on Host will want to bed you.” I dip my hand up his T-shirt and lean in to whisper. “Including this girl.” My cheeks fill with heat, and I have to look away a second.
“You’re the only girl I want even close to my bed.” He dots my lips with a kiss and scrapes his rough stubble over my cheek. A fire rips through me when he touches me this way. I can only imagine the inferno that will take place when we’re skin to skin, nothing but the two of us left to set the room ablaze.
The crowd, Emma’s incessant cackle, they all melt away, and for a moment it’s just Gage and me.
“You make me feel like the luckiest girl in the world.”
A scream comes from the far end of the yard, and we turn to find Mom with her hand outstretched as baby Beau walks right into the deep end. Demetri swoops in and plucks him out by the arm before his head ever hits the water.
“You’re my knight in shining armor!” Mom wails as he returns Drake’s wandering child to her. Thank God Beau is all right, but with Drake and Brielle greasing one another up and Mom’s bust weighed down with Misty, it’s clear he’s going to need a spare set of eyes on him.
“We’d better go over.”
Gage and I bypass Tad, who’s belly up on a lounger with his chest turning a bright shade of lobster.
“Everything okay?” I touch Beau’s feather soft head, then Misty’s, and a strange vibration strums through me. That’s odd, the only other being I know that vibrates to the tune of a different universe is Marshall, and he’s a Sector.
“Everything’s great.” Mom snuggles into Demetri’s chest sort of the way I’m doing now with Gage, and I frown.
“And how is everything with you?” Demetri purrs it out with that constant shit-eating grin tugging at his lips. “It must be bliss—the entire world at your fingertips. The man of your dreams by your side.”
Logan flashes before my eyes, and I suck in a quick breath.
“It’s going great. And, yes”—I pull Gage in tight—“I do have the man of my dreams by my side.”
“When’s the big day?” He connects his fingers at the tips and looks from me to Gage.
“It’s none of your business,” I snip. If there’s one thing I don’t like, it’s a Fem butting into my private life—especially this one. “Speaking of having the world at your fingertips. I hear your son, Wes, is here.”
Demetri’s affect flattens. His gaze shifts to the forest just beyond the property.
“Excuse me, I think I see an acquaintance I’ve been meaning to speak with.” He takes off like a bat out of hell.
Ha! He took off so fast you’d think I set his balls on fire.
“Well, there’s that.” I shrug at my mother who still hasn’t put her eyeballs back in their sockets. “That’s right, mother,” I hiss without meaning to. “He’s been hiding children from us all. God knows how many wicked spawns he has floating around out and about.”
“Is little Wes in town?” She glitters up with tears, and now it’s my eyes that are bulging with disbelief. “God, I haven’t seen him well, ever, but I’ve heard so much. I can hardly wait to meet him.”
I suck in a breath. “You knew?”
“Yes.” Misty squirms in her arms and starts pecking away at Mom’s chest. “I mean it’s been low key. Demetri didn’t get to raise him or anything. It was one of those things we haven’t mentioned since back in L.A. so of course he was a little uncomfortable with it. Everyone’s got their secrets, Skyla.” She brushes me off while shoving Misty up her blouse.
I look to Gage with his warm blue eyes, those infectious dimples digging in just for me.
“We don’t have any secrets.” I lean in and kiss him.
“Yes, well”—Mom pulls Beau in before he can make another break for the deep end—“sometimes life has a way of surprising us when we least expect it. Sometimes we own secrets we know nothing about.”
A flash glints from the woods and catches my eye. A shadow recedes. The frame of a woman with long dark hair, curvy hips, moves slow as a snake, making my skin crawl. I know that wicked gait, that careless toss of her hair, that hourglass ass—Chloe. She lets out an echoing cackle then disappears as quick as she came.
Why do I get the feeling life is about to surprise us in the most horrible way?
Gage
“We’re heading out.” I give Mom a quick embrace while keeping an eye on Skyla in the yard as Dudley crawls all over her. The sun is about to set, and the party population has dwindled to just a few strays, the aforementioned Sector being one of them.
“Where you headed?” A light voice comes from behind, and it’s Kresley. Mom mentioned she had a surprise for me earlier. I assume I’m looking at her.
“I’m taking Skyla for a drive. It was nice to meet you.” I shoot Mom a look, and she’s quick to lock an arm around Kresley’s shoulder.
“Why don’t you take Kresley along? She’s yet to see the island. I bet she’d love a driving tour.”
“Emma”—Dad calls from the entry—“Dr. Flanders is leaving.”
“I’d best say goodbye.” She gives Kresley a gentle shove until she’s standing inches from my chest.
“Whoa.” I back up a notch. I’m sure Kresley is a nice person, but I’ll be the last to express any interest in her. “Sorry about my mom. She can be a bit pushy—literally. If you need a ride back to the ferry, Mr. Dudley’s out there. I’m sure he’d be more than glad to assist.” I start to head out, and she pulls me back by the arm.
“Gage.” She says my name like she’s taking it for a test drive. She leans in and gives my neck a hard sniff, licking her lips as if she’s about to take a bite. “I guess I’ll be seeing you around—Gage.” Her fingers sink down my chest, and I catch her by the wrist.
“Sorry—I’m not interested.” I return her hand to her side. “I’m with Sk
yla, and that’s not going to change. Not today, not ever.” I turn around and get out of there.
What in the hell is my mother thinking?
Skyla and I drive out to Rockaway with Coop and Laken following behind. We park down by the sand and hop out. There’s not another living soul for miles, just the way I like it. The waves beat against the shore, violent and thunderous, as if Rockaway itself were having a temper tantrum. The mist sweeps in, thick as a blanket, racing to cover the island.
“Isn’t it funny that the fog is rolling in again now that your mother’s party is over?” Skyla pulls me in before jumping up on my back for a moment.
My neck pinches, and I freeze. She slides off and hops up for a kiss as if nothing happened. I don’t plan on telling her I’m still nursing an injury from earlier this summer—that the damn thing just won’t heal. I’m not in the mood to pussy out on her especially since she’s so interested in showering me with affection.
“She’s a Deorsum,” I say, picking up Skyla’s hand. “She can get small children to do her bidding. Who knows? Maybe she’s progressed to the weather. Powers are funny that way, they seem to grow.” That’s another thing I’m not ready to fess up to right now. My powers seem to be multiplying by the minute. This morning I reached for my toothbrush, and it flew to my hand without me putting too much thought into it.
The waves slap over the shore in a fit of thunderous drumming, and I wince because it feels as if I just stuck my head in a blender. Sure would be nice to have some peace after a long day of dodging Dudley, not to mention the random girls my mother decided to throw my way. I glare over at the waves for a moment. I wonder if…. I hone in on them and demand they settle down. The tide comes in and washes back out, pulling the sand into the ocean before regurgitating itself at our feet. Didn’t think so. I suppose my newfound gift of having objects do my bidding is an offshoot of my mother’s abilities. But an unsettled feeling in my gut says it isn’t.
“Would you look at that?” Skyla marvels while gazing out at the water. “It was wild just a minute ago, and now it’s perfectly glassy and calm.”
“Shit,” I whisper. The pounding waves have been replaced with mild lapping along the shoreline, and I can actually hear myself think for once down here.
God. I stare out at the vast ocean with its unknowable depths, its endless canyons filled with mysterious creatures, and I can’t catch my breath. Crap. Did I do that?
“Wait up!” Laken calls out.
Laken and Coop head over, and we start a fire down by the newly settled shore. They relay how they met and how Wes turned into an asshole who chose the Counts over Laken. I’d never do that in a million years. You could lay the universe at my feet, and I’d never choose it over Skyla. What good is power if you have to surrender your heart?
“Wes must really be kicking himself now,” I say, pulling Skyla deeper into my lap. “He’s stuck with Chloe Bishop”—I glance to Coop—“and you’ve got the girl.”
“Gage.” Skyla shoots me a look that lets me know I’ve stuck my foot in my mouth.
“Sorry.”
“No, it’s okay.” Coop drops a kiss onto Laken’s head. “You’re right. But Wes is so twisted he doesn’t think for a minute this is finished. I’m just some hiccup that’s standing in the way of what he really wants, control over the Counts and Laken.”
“Only he’ll never have me.” Laken nestles into Coop. “And that’s where things get dangerous.”
“For you or everybody?” Skyla asks it low like she already knows the answer.
“Take a guess.” Laken stares off into the flames. “Wes is convinced I’ll be at his side once again. He said he had a vision from the Justice Alliance that assured him of this.”
Shit.
Skyla goes rigid in my arms because we both know if the Justice Alliance imparted a vision, it must be true.
Laken’s forehead creases. “You believe him?”
“It’s not that we believe him,” Skyla starts. “It’s that if it’s true what he said—well, the Justice Alliance is a no bullshit league. You must align with him over something.”
Coop drops his gaze to the sand before cinching Laken tighter in his arms as if she were already slipping away. “I can’t see it happening.”
“It’s not,” Laken assures. “Look, the reason we wanted to talk to you in private is because the Counts are coming back strong. Wesley’s already banded a brigade of fearless assholes who are willing to stomp out any rule or control that Celestra might have.”
“Celestra won the war,” Skyla’s voice trembles when she says it. I can feel the anger percolating inside her because the war cost us more than any of us thought possible.
“He doesn’t care.” Coop picks up a stick and stokes the flames. “To him this is personal. And believe me, he’s going big. It’s not enough to just take me out. He’s taking out all of Celestra right along with me. I think the other factions are in danger as well.”
“Let him try.” Skyla’s chest bucks with a laugh. “I’m the overseer of the factions. I’ll shoot down every crap idea the Counts try to throw our way.”
Coop shakes his head. “They’re not checking in with the factions, Skyla.”
“Then we’ll take them to court.” Skyla looks to me for support.
“I think I know where this is headed,” I whisper, brushing the hair from her face. We’ll have to prove it, and if Wes is as elusive as we think he is, then it might be a mission in futility.
“Then we’re right back to the beginning.” She folds into me for a moment.
“Look”—Coop sighs—“we are telling you because you’re the overseer. You can alert whoever you need to. But one of our first goals should be closing down those tunnels.”
Skyla jerks a little when he says it. The only way Skyla can ever see the truest version of Logan is in those tunnels as her Elysian. The version running around on the island is simply in a Treble, a visitor from another time.
“I agree,” it comes from her weak. “I really do hate that place. It’s horrible.”
“My baby sister and mother would also agree.” Laken takes a deep breath. “I think we’re going to take off, but, please, think about what we said. Wes is far more dangerous than he’ll ever let you believe. I think we’re all in danger, Skyla. And, with your pull, you might actually be able to stop him.”
“This alliance he’s building”—Coop helps Laken to her feet—“it’s called the Steel Barricade.”
“How do you know so much about it?” I ask, still not sure we should trust either one of them completely.
Laken nods as if she understands the root of my question. “My brother, Fletch, is good friends with Wes. That’s all the information he’s given me.” She glances at Coop. “He says he could be killed if he says anything else.” Her voice breaks, and I can tell she loves her brother. I know how heart wrenching it can be to lose one. I lost Logan.
They take off, and Skyla and I lay back and watch the stars appear and disappear through a thick curtain of fog. It’s as if Paragon is being pulled apart and put back together again with the ebb and flow of the mist, growing in strength with its secrets like I am in power.
“What’s on your mind?” I pull Skyla over me, and her hair falls around my face like a wreath.
“This entire day has been toying with my mind, and, quite frankly, there’s not too much of it that I care to remember. This is a lot for me.” She slips to my side and outlines my features with the pad of her finger. “I’m stressed, and I haven’t even begun my job as the overseer.”
“Whoa.” I press her finger to my lips and kiss it. “No stressing allowed. We’re at Rockaway. This is a no-stress zone.”
“Good. Because I just want this to be about you and me.” She takes a deep breath, and her bathing suit peeks out from under her T-shirt. We never did swim. “Anyway, maybe tonight we can forget about the world for a while.” Her eyes skirt up to mine with the slight look of uncertainty.
??
?I think every night”—I scoop her in my arms—“every day should be about us, Skyla.”
Her lips expand with that sexy-as-hell smile. “I like where your head is at, Oliver.” She runs her hand over my chest. “In fact, I like where the rest of you is at as well.”
“Oh, yeah?” I kiss her with a laugh caught in my throat. “I think you’ve got everything you need in all the right places, too.” Her tongue slips into my mouth, and I give it chase with mine for a small eternity. Here we are again lost in one heated kiss, my hard-on shouting at me to get the game going, and if she wants to progress I’m not going to stop her. Skyla slips her hands up my shirt, warming her iced fingers over my chest. I pull back to look at her. “You’re freezing.” Goose bumps trail up both her arms as she shivers against me.
“That’s what you’re here for, to heat me up.” She bites down on her lip as the moon dusts her with its waning light.
“You’re the most gorgeous girl I’ve ever seen, you know that?”
“Don’t tell your mother.” A laugh bubbles from her throat. “It looked to me she was convinced Kresley Fisher is the prettiest girl you’ll ever see.”
“I don’t care about any of my mother’s friends or their daughters for that matter. It’s you, Skyla. It’s always been you.” The fog sprays us with its heavy mist as I help her to her feet. “Let’s get you home before you get pneumonia. I’m pretty sure I’d have every faction in the universe pissed at me if I let their fearless leader get sick.”
“Stop.” She swats my arm before pulling me in. “We need to figure out how we’re going to do this.” She gives my hand a tug.
I think I know what she’s alluding to, and I couldn’t agree more.
“We will.” I walk her to the truck. “This is it for us, we’re only moving forward from here on out. Are you sure that’s what you want?” A part of me had to ask.
“That’s all I want.”