Holes- 1

Lem Kingsley POV

"Is it not great here, Gemma?" Jack says.

"It is totally perfect, Jack," Theo says. He looks at me and does a quick wink. I try hard to look away but I cannot do it. He sits right next to me in the back of this big black car.

"Do not look at the windows, Lem," Theo says. "Talk to me."

"Leave me alone," I say. My heart goes fast because he is huge. He is the family lieutenant but he acts like he owns the whole Kingsley Orchard Estate.

"Watch your mouth, boy," Jack says from the front seat. "Theo is the Harrington family underboss now. Show some respect while we drive through these trees."

"He is just a bully," I say.

"I am a powerful alpha wolf in this city, kid," Theo says. He laughs loud and hits my knee with his big hand. "Your dad needs my pack resources. So you have to be nice to me."

"Stop it, Theo," Gemma says. "He is just a young literature scholar. He gets scared easy."

"He does not look scared," Theo says. His green eyes look right into my soul. It makes my skin feel hot. "He looks like he wants to fight me."

"I do not want to fight you," I say. "I want you to move away from me. You take up all the space."

"Make me move," Theo says. He leans closer and I can smell his heavy smoke and leather scent. "You are small, Lem. I can break you with two fingers."

"Try it," I say.

"Both of you stop talking," Jack says. He stops the car hard at the estate arrival grounds. "We are here to talk about pack business, not argue like kids."

"Get the collection buckets, Lem," Gemma says. "Go to the market stall."

"I will go by myself," I say. I jump out of the car fast. I want to run away from his big body and his mean smile.

"Wait for me, little wolf," Theo calls out. His boots make loud noises on the rocks behind me.

"Do not follow me," I say. I grab a big wooden bucket from the stand. "Go talk to my dad about your crime family stuff."

"Your dad told me to watch you," Theo says. He grabs my arm. His fingers are like iron bands. "You think you can run from a Harrington?"

"Let go of me," I say. My breath cuts off. He is too strong and it makes me angry. "You are a jerk."

"I am the boss of you today," Theo says. He pulls me into the deep rows of trees where the shadows are dark. "Now pick the fruit like a good boy."

"I hate you," I say.

"No you do not," Theo says. He gets very close until his chest touches my shoulder. "Your heart is thumping like a trapped rabbit. I can hear it."

"It is because I want to punch your face," I say.

"Do it then," Theo says. He laughs and pushes me against a big tree trunk. "Show me how tough the Kingsley syndicate made you."

"Gemma!" I shout out loud. "Help me!"

"She went to the main lodge," Theo says. He smiles and his teeth look sharp. "Nobody is here but us, Lem. Pick that high fruit right there."

"I cannot reach it," I say. "It is too high up."

"I will help you," Theo says.

"No, do not touch—"

He grabs my waist before I can finish my words. He lifts my whole body up in the air like I weigh nothing at all. My hands shake as I grab the wood branch.

"Put me down right now!" I scream.

"Grab them fast," Theo says. His face is right against my hip. "You feel good, kid. You are soft for a mafia boy."

"Stop looking at me like that," I say.

"Like what?" he says. He moves his mouth right against my leg and bites down hard through my jeans.

"Ow!" I yell. I drop the fruit and hit his head. "You bit me!"

"You taste good," Theo says. He drops me down to the dirt but he does not let go of my shirt. He sniffs my neck real loud. "Like a real prize."

"You are crazy!" I say. I push him with all my power but he stands there like a brick wall.

"Do not run," Theo says. He reaches out to grab my hair. "We are not done playing."