Feuds and Reckless Fury by K. Webster

 

Alister

It’s after three in the morning by the time my plane lands at the St. Louis Lambert International Airport. The three-stop flight to Missouri was long and exhausting, but I didn’t sleep a wink.

Silently, whenever I got the chance, I’d bury my face in my palms and let the tears leak out. You’d think I’d be out of tears by now, but fresh ones sting at my eyes as I deboard the flight.

I’m really doing this.

Abandoning everything I know and love.

Because you don’t deserve that life. You never did.

Bitterness coils in my gut like a snake ready to strike. Me and Canyon were careless. We let our secret get out, and just like I’d feared, it was not received well. Dad’s words still haunt me.

“I can’t bear to look at you right now.”

He’d muttered the words so softly when he’d walked into the bathroom where I’d been puking. Rather than provide comfort like he’d done endless times before whenever I was sick, he stared at me with cold disgust before walking out on me. I’d felt the dismissal like a blade to the throat.

He was done with me.

He didn’t even have to say the words. I felt them. I hadn’t just disappointed him; I’d betrayed him in the worst possible way. It was unforgivable.

I somehow manage to make it through baggage claim and out of the building where a few cars are lined up waiting on arrivals. At the front of the line, a black SUV waits, hot exhaust fumes clouding the air behind it. The shiver that works down my spine is less to do with the cool weather and the fact I’m willingly going to Colin.

My real father.

Terror claws at me, but I push it down as I force one step at a time toward the waiting vehicle. Early this morning, after the blowup and the words Dad spoke after, I knew what to do. I needed to leave. With a heavy heart filled with regret, I called Colin.

I’m not sure what I expected, but his concern and take-charge attitude weren’t it. Before I knew it, he had a plane booked and a driver waiting to take me to the airport. I was too much of a pussy to say goodbye to Canyon. I knew if I saw him again, I’d be unable to leave. Luckily, he was in his room with the door shut, so I packed my bags, left a note, and escaped without confrontation.

Now that I’m finally here, though, I’m sick with apprehension.

I don’t want to be here.

But Dad doesn’t want me with him. This is my only option.

When I reach the SUV, a man dressed all in black, probably twenty-five or so, steps out. His features are rugged and handsome, but he has a cold glint in his green eyes that makes me nervous.

“Greer.” He nods at me. “You must be the boss man’s kid.”

I bristle at the reminder but manage a mutter of acknowledgment. “Is Colin not here?”

“Get in,” Greer says, ignoring my question as he grabs for my luggage. “I missed getting my dick sucked for this. Unless you plan on doing me the favor, let’s get back so I can resume my previous activities before I was summoned to play chauffeur.”

Heat floods my cheeks. I know he’s just being crass to get a rise out of me. He seems the type. It’s just a reminder of the world I’ve stepped into—one I’m wholly unprepared for. Hurrying around the vehicle, I hop in the front seat, expecting to see a car full of goons. Just one goon, and he’s tossing my luggage into the back like it personally wronged him. I yank on my seat belt and clasp my fingers together to calm my nerves.

Greer climbs into the vehicle and slams the door shut. He fumbles at the radio until he finds a hard rock song. The bass blares through the speakers, making my ears practically bleed. I inwardly cringe, slightly turning away from him so I can stare at the city passing by. It’s a blur of lights, and I doze off a couple of times until he pulls the SUV into a driveway.

The home is just outside of downtown St. Louis in an older but renovated neighborhood. A neat, immaculate yard can be seen in the moonlight, and an iron gate surrounds the property. The house itself appears to be three-story. Greer shuts off the engine, parking behind another black SUV. It makes me think about my white Range Rover and how it would stand out amongst their vehicles.

A painful punch of sadness knocks the breath out of me. Not because I’ll miss my car, but because I’ll miss them. My dad and Canyon. Track and sculpting and violin. My life in Florida.

Greer helps me with my luggage and lets us into the dark house. My nerves are buzzing with worry as I catalog each and every sound. It’s quiet aside from our soft thudding footsteps. He guides me through the home and up two flights of stairs to the third floor. We pass an open doorway, and a man, scantily clad in a pair of glittery shorts that reveal everything, peeks his head out. Claw marks and bruises litter his chest and neck. Eyeliner is smeared over one eye, and his eyes are dilated. He drinks up my appearance with a hungry stare that makes me shudder.

“Yummy,” he says to Greer. “Did you bring me a present?”

“Boss’s son.”

The guy cringes and disappears back into the room. I follow Greer into the next room, which is decorated much like mine at home. Simple and nice. I’d expected my room back from my old trailer with Mom, not such a well-decorated space. Greer drops my bags by the dresser and gestures at the bed.

“I’m hitting the sack. Kace owes me a blowjob.” Greer pushes past me and then exits my room without another word.

My room.

I shut the door behind him and quickly unpack. By the time my bags are empty and stowed away in the closet, I feel like puking again. My phone is turned off, and I dread turning it back on. I don’t know what’s worse: hearing the worry from Dad or not hearing anything at all.

And Canyon?

I can only imagine the hurt he’ll feel at my leaving.

He’ll feel abandoned.

It’s exactly what I did. I left him. Disappeared without a word. Disgust at myself threatens to make me sick again. I strip out of my travel clothes, take a quick shower, and climb into the big, soft bed. I turn off the lamp and barely drift off when I hear it.

Squeak. Squeak. Squeak.

Panic swells up inside me like a tidal wave, making my heart hammer in my chest. I fumble at the lamp, wildly searching for the mice.

Where are they hiding?

Can they make it up here?

I hear the squeaking again, but this time it’s accompanied by moaning. It takes half a second to realize it’s Kace and Greer fucking.

It’s a relief not to be mice, but annoyance quickly chases it away. What am I doing here? I don’t know these people, and I certainly don’t want this life.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a choice.

I leave the light on but go to sleep, eager to leave reality, even if only for a few short hours.

By the time I power up my phone the next morning, I discover I’ve missed a ton of texts and phone calls from just about everyone I know. I don’t read any of them, even though I’m dying to devour every word Canyon sent. The last message from him, though, I do read.

Canny: I know you’re at Colin’s. WTF Wonderland?

The room blurs with unshed tears. I blink them back quickly and manage a quick reply.

Me: I’m sorry. I’m safe. You don’t have to worry.

His response is immediate.

Canny: Fuck you. FUCK YOU for doing this.

I don’t have to see his face or hear his voice to feel the heartbreak I’ve caused him. I know exactly what he’s going through because my own heart is in tatters. I shoot him another apology before shutting off my phone again. A soft rap on the door startles me, and someone enters.

Colin.

He’s dressed in an immaculate suit, not a dark hair out of place. I’m not sure what to expect, but I certainly don’t anticipate his smile or for him to sit down on the bed. It reminds me of my dad, and that hurts too much to consider. Looking away, I try to keep a fresh wave of tears from escaping.

“Want to talk about it?”

I shrug. “What’s there to talk about?”

“For one, what was the catalyst for you coming here?”

I’m uncomfortable explaining myself, but I owe him something. He just welcomed me with open arms, not knowing anything except the fact I needed to be here.

“I fucked up,” I choke out. “Real bad.”

“You killed someone?”

My eyes snap to his. “W-What? Of course not.”

Colin shrugs. “Then you couldn’t have fucked up too bad. What? Your pretend daddy couldn’t take the fact you were fucking your brother?”

His words are slung out so carelessly, but they feel like whips, painfully striking me. I guess we really were that obvious. To everyone except Dad and Ryan, it seems.

“I…” There’s no sense in denying it. “I betrayed him.”

Colin scoffs and shakes his head. “Still so soft.” He reaches over and pats my leg. “Don’t worry. We’re going to finally toughen you up.”

“Colin, I don’t want to toughen—”

“Pops,” he grinds out. “You’re to call me Pops if you’re living under my roof. The one thing I demand of my men is respect. You may not be one of my men, but you rely on me now for your survival. It’s the least you can do. Breakfast is waiting downstairs.”

With those words, he leaves me. He’s right. I chose this. I asked to be here. The least I can do is offer him something he’s always asked of me.

I quickly shower and change into a pair of black, holey jeans Canyon likes to make fun of. My heart plummets, shattering at my feet. Fuck, I miss him. Yesterday had been perfect. I’d been inside him, making love to him in a way I hadn’t yet. It was incredible.

And then everything was ruined.

Throwing on a black and red Blood Gators Track hoodie over a T-shirt, I exit my room. I pass by Greer’s room, but it’s empty. I’m not sure if Kace is his boyfriend or not, but he’s no longer there. It’s not hard to locate the kitchen with boisterous voices coming from it. I make it into the dining room, where a breakfast spread has been laid out. Colin sits at the head of the table with a man near his age to his right. Greer is beside that man. Two other men are at the table, and one seat remains beside Colin.

“Where’s Kace?” I ask in greeting, confused at why I’d even ask that. I’m floundering and need to understand the dynamic around here.

Colin’s expression is unreadable. The man beside him simply smirks, and Greer flashes me a disgusted glare.

“We don’t fraternize with the help,” Colin says in a cool, authoritative tone.

“The help? Is he a cook? A maid?” My words sound stupid even to my own ears, but I can’t stop them. “What does he help with?”

“Kace is a whore, Alister,” Colin clips out. “They come around at night and are gone by morning. We certainly don’t have breakfast with them.”

I swallow down my unease, nodding as if his answer satisfies me. I’m just making it to the empty seat when Greer spits out his words.

“If you wanted to fuck my whore, you should have just asked.” He pops a piece of bacon into his mouth, chewing slowly as he rakes his gaze down my front. “I share my toys.”

I give him a sharp shake of my head. “I…I don’t want—”

Colin cuts me off with a wave. “They’re not his toys. They’re mine.” The table goes silent. “And I’ll get you your own toy.”

“No,” I croak out. “I’m…” I’m in a relationship? Hardly. Considering I left the man I love the second things got rough, I’m most definitely not in one.

Colin lifts a brow in question but smirks when I don’t finish my statement. “This is Mark.” The guy to his right nods. “You know Greer. The other two are Seth and Logan. These are my most trusted men. If you need anything and I’m unavailable, they’ll see to it you get what you want.”

“Okay, er, Pops?”

Colin’s eyes that match mine exactly darken at the questioning tone, but he lets it slide. As I load up my plate with food, he fills his men in on a shipment from Mexico arriving this week. I try to tune it out because I don’t care about his drug business. It’s not until the dining room falls silent that I realize Colin is speaking to me.

“Uh, what?”

“If you sit at this table, you will join in on the conversation,” Colin says in an icy tone. “I gave you the night to get acclimated, but it’s time you focus. This is your life now.”

This is your life now.

I blink at him several times, wondering about the texts where he promised ballgames and father-son outings. Was it all bullshit?

Colin lets out a heavy, annoyed sigh. “I apologize. I didn’t sleep much last night, and there’s a lot of money riding on the line with the Mexico shipment.” He studies me long enough that I squirm under his scrutiny. “Clear your schedule tonight. I’ll show you the city.”

Because my schedule is bustling with activities…

“Okay,” I murmur. “Thanks.”

Greer lets out a derisive snort, but Mark shoots him a scathing glare that has him growing quiet. Colin continues to discuss business. This time, I feign paying attention, making sure to make eye contact when necessary. Before long, breakfast is over, and the men are scattering. Colin rises to his feet, his stare assessing me.

“Greer can take you out for new clothes. I won’t have my son looking like that while representing me.” He tightens the knot of his tie. “He can take you on a run, too. Do as he says and keep out of trouble. You’ll learn the ropes soon enough. See you at dinner and wear a suit.”

The overwhelming urge to cry nearly suffocates me. I suck in deep, calming breaths, squeezing my eyes shut so I can escape elsewhere, even for a few blissful seconds. Canyon appears behind my lids, his cocky smile bright and beautiful. I crave to jerk him from my imagination into the present. To beg him to promise it’ll be okay. To take me away from here to our imaginary apartment so I can cuddle my imaginary cat. We had dreams together, and I ruined them.

Dreams are stupid because they aren’t real.

Life is a nightmare.

This reality is my life now.