Page 13 of Refuge
With a small nod, another tear slipped down Leeza’s face. “He can’t hurt you again.”
“Not that he would get the chance anyway,” Alex said with a large frown, then walked away toward Eric.
Leeza’s eyebrow rose at the venom in his voice but realized that was their way and there was probably nothing to it. Most shifter men were protective of the females, but then she noticed how Sherry watched him leave.Interesting, very interesting.
Tossing those thoughts aside for now, she gave Sherry another hug. “Are you really okay?”
“I’m getting there,” Sherry whispered with a nod.
Chapter 7
Cole watched from a distance as Leeza and Sherry talked. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“’Cause you got a big mouth,” Kile answered for Eric.
“I’m not talking to you.” Cole growled the words, shooting Kile a nasty look before turning his attention back to Eric. “Why didn’t you?”
“’Cause you got a big mouth.” Eric repeated Kile’s words with a seriousness that relayed the truth.
“Fuck you guys,” Cole grumbled with a shake of his head. “I do not have a big mouth.”
“Oh, really.” Kile snorted. “Who was it that told Hester Collins that Mr. Collins was ordering girlie magazines at Pop’s store?”
“I was five years old, you idiot.” Cole’s eyes widened.
“And then there was the time Eric was skinny dipping with Patty Hancock.” Kile’s grin grew so large his eyes were squinted closed.
“You’re the one who told Dad I was skinny dipping with Patty?” Eric’s eyes opened in shock. “You asshole. I couldn’t sit for days after that and I had to do all the chores.”
“Yep, he was the one.” Kile pointed at Cole, laughing hysterically.
Shit, Cole forgot about that one. Yeah, Eric drilled them to find out who told, but neither he nor Kile wanted to see Cole die, so a pact was made between Kile and Cole to never tell. Guess the pact they made when he was seven was void.
“Again, I was seven years old.” Cole eyed Eric, hoping he was in a forgiving mood. It wasn’t really that their dad found out, but their mom. When she found out, she marched Eric to Patty’s house, made him apologize to not only Patty, but her parents. It was a horrendous ordeal, and one Eric was still pissy over.
“Patty?” Gemma was listening intently with a cocked eyebrow. “Skinny dipping?”
“Babe, this was when I was…. Hell, it’s been so long ago I can’t even remember how old I was.” Eric stumbled over his words, and Cole was damn glad he seemed to be in the clear for the moment.
“He was twelve,” Kile replied happily, not caring about the glare Eric was giving him. “And Patty was sixteen with the biggest set of ti—”
Kile never saw the slap that landed on the side of his head, but he sure as fuck felt it. Cole laughed so hard he bent over. “Serves you right.” He wheezed in laughter, then looked at Eric, who was still glaring at Kile. “Hit him again. I don’t think he got the point.”
“Shut up, Cole,” Kile muttered, rubbing the side of his head.
“Your poor parents.” Gemma laughed, shaking her head as she stared at all three of them. “It seems to me that you’re into older women?”
“I’ve got the woman I want right here.” Eric grabbed her up against him.
“Do I need to worry about this Patty Hancock coming here to take my man?” Gemma frowned, and Cole smirked as Eric squirmed a little.
“No, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Daphne Ruby come prancing up here.” Kile gave another snort. “She had a real big thing with—”
Cole grinned, knowing for sure he was in the clear because Kile, in Kile fashion, just stepped his ass in trouble. As soon as Kile looked at Eric and saw his face, his words about Daphne Ruby stopped.
“Ah, fuck,” Kile finished, then took off running.
“You son of a bitch.” Eric grabbed for him but missed. He then leaned down, kissed Gemma hard on the lips, and took off after Kile. He didn’t run, but he walked with a purpose that Cole had seen many times. There was an ass kicking in Kile’s future, and if he was lucky, he would see it.