Page 10 of Drowning

four

Keeping Secrets

S e v e n (33)

After making sure Emerson is safely tucked away in the meeting room, I make my way back to the bar. As I walk out of the hallway, I spot Eli, Stone, Ace, and Kane. Taking a seat, a drink is promptly placed in front of me. Kylie walks away to the other end of the bar, gives a cheeky wink, and licks her lips, making me cringe in disgust. The women in this bar have nearly fucked every member or customer that walks in. I've fucked my share of the club girls, but my dick's been dry for the last year—until Emerson soaked it just moments ago.

"Where were you, fucker?" Eli asks, his bloodshot eyes piercing into mine as if he knows the answer but doesn't want to hear it.

"I was talking with your sister until she fell asleep. She's safe in the meeting room, passed out," I admit, knowing he'll buy it.

The six of us had known each other for years, and Eli had always told us that Em was off limits, so if he found out I had fucked his precious baby sister, he would kill me.

So I have no plans to tell him just yet.

"Did she tell you she dumped Damon?" I nodded to him, noting the shocked expressions on his, Kane's, and Stone's faces.

"Nah, she hasn't yet," he deeply growls, slightly angry.

"She had to, Eli. His ass was beating her. He was going to kill her if she didn't get out now," Kane speaks up, enraging Eli even more.

He was aware of the kind of predicament she was in—we all were, but none of us wanted to make her feel worse by bringing it up.

"I'm going to fucking kill his ass." After slamming his empty glass against the bar, Eli draws Kylie's attention and causes her to rush back towards us.

"Get in fucking line. I want to kill him too," I say through clenched teeth, remembering her beautiful body and all the bruises that covered it.

"If anyone is killing him, it's me," Kane commands, a murderous glare in his eyes.

"Can I get you boys another drink? Maybe a dance too?" Smiling, Kylie licks her lips once more before putting her curly red hair up in a high ponytail.

"Yes, a drink. Not a dance. Fuck outta here with that." Averting the ill-looking glance she is giving me, I slide my glass towards her.

"Another round for all of us," Eli orders, his anger boiling just beneath the surface.

Kylie gives a nod and gets to work preparing our drinks. Eli gives me a cold look as she comes back with the glasses refilled.

"Once Em wakes up, we're going to have a little talk about this," he says, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I give a nod, understanding that things with Damon are far from over. But for now, Kane is staring at me as if he knows that I just painted Emerson's cunt with my cum, but does he really? We sit in the darkened bar, nursing our drinks and secretly planning our next move.

After we've all had more drinks than we can count, Nova, Eli's girlfriend, comes over and wraps her arms around him from behind. He smiles, a drunken look washing over his face.

"Ready for me to take you home?" she asks, giving him a shiver as she kisses the side of his neck.

"Yeah, I'm ready." He stands up, wobbly on his feet, but Ace steps in just in time to keep him from falling.

"Thanks, bro," Eli mumbled, hugging Ace haphazardly.

"Anytime. Let me help walk you out to the car." Ace gets into position to help him walk out, but they look at us before leaving.

"Anyone else need a ride? Nova is the DD tonight."

I shake my head no, and so does Kane, but Stone and Ace decide to go with them.

"Oh, don't forget, the beach house on Nantasket is ready, so ya'll can head over whenever. I still have to get Em on board, so go without us." Eli salutes us as they walk away, leaving thick tension in the air between Kane and I.

Kane was Emerson's father's best friend, and since his death, he has been like a father figure to Emerson and Eli. I can tell there is more lurking beneath the surface, but Kane is not the one you want to start shit with; he is vicious, ruthless, and downright savage.