Chapter 4

DAISY

They were insane.

Every single one of them.

A cage fighter?

A cage fighter???

I scoffed, my pace faltering as my head snapped to the door.

Caleb had told me to stay put until he got back. Another damned command. Irritation rolled off my skin in waves. He was obviously hiding something, and I wasn’t waiting around to get butchered by a family of psychopaths.

I gnawed on my bottom lip, hesitating.

I had to get out of here first.

My feet carried me to the door, pressing my ear against it. Voices. Muffled. Good. They sounded far enough.

I sucked in a breath, twisting the handle of the door slowly. The quiet creak bounced off the wall as I pushed it open and stepped into the hallway.

I scanned both sides. Empty. Quiet. Too quiet. Like the scene before a man with a chainsaw appears out of nowhere and guts you into pieces. A shiver ran down my spine as I chose a path. Left.

My pulse was hammering against my ears because of the silence. I couldn’t hear any voices again. Just silence.

Focus Daisy.

We need to get out of here first.

And then what? Call the cops? And tell them there’s a man that was bleeding but refused to go to the hospital? I was almost certain that wasn’t a crime.

I took a turn.

Maybe I’ll say-

My thoughts were snapped into two by a brick wall. Pain exploded across my nose as I slammed straight into something solid. I stumbled back, clutching my face.

Then froze.

The brick wall, AKA the man covered in blood, stood right in front of me, eyes narrowing on me with I was the inconvenience.

“You lost, little lady?”

My irritation came back just as fast. “Look,” I started, massaging my sore nose. “I don’t want any trouble. I’ll just go home, like nothing happened. I didn’t see anything.”

He took a step forward, bending slightly to meet my eyes.

My eyes widened at the sudden intrusion. I stumbled back. He caught me before I could take two steps. My heart skipped.

What the-

He pulled me closer, close enough that I could smell the scent of rum on his warm breath that fanned my cheek lightly.

My body must have been confused, because it buzzed with… excitement?

“You won’t say anything. Because if you do…” He murmured roughly.

His thick accent rolled over my skin like honey. What was that? British? It had to be European.

Caleb sounded very American… and yet they claim to be brothers. Suspicious? Very.

“I’ll make sure you regret it.”

It was a threat. Plain and simple. But the way he said it. It felt like a dare. And God help me, I was drawn to it.

Idiot.

Not now.

I didn’t have the upper hand here. Not even close. I needed time. Ponder on my next move. So I acted like his whole alpha male commandment actually meant something and nodded slowly.

He stared for a second longer before letting me go.

I bolted out of Caleb’s house, only breathing again when my door shut behind me.

My legs gave out like even they knew that the danger had passed. My chest heaved, trying to even my breath.

Once my lungs could work again, I pushed off the floor and hopped right in my shower. I didn’t know how long I stood there, letting the water run over me but by the time I was done, my eyes burned and my skin scrubbed raw.

I collapsed on my bed with a long sigh.

Today drained me.

All I wanted was sleep. No bloody brothers, or annoyingly hot neighbors… just an island.

A smile tugged at my lips as I curled into my pillow.

But I waited. And waited. Minutes passed. Maybe longer. But sleep didn’t come. I tossed and turned, forcing my eyes shut, staying as still as I could. Still… nothing.

I groaned, pushing off my bed.

How could I sleep? Really? When my mind wouldn’t stop circling about the facts.

Caleb Fraiser and his pot of lies.

I sat up abruptly and reached for my laptop, flipping it open. The glow from the screen filled the room, momentarily blinding me.

C-a-l-e-b space F-r-a-i-s-e-r

I punched the search button and waited.

A couple of sites popped up, all saying things I already knew. Socialite, extremely wealthy. I scrolled past everything until one word caught my attention.

Relatives.

My pulse quickened.

I clicked enter. Then frowned.

None?

Parents: Deceased and unnamed. Status: Only child.

A humorless laugh escaped me.

I knew it.

It said those were his brothers. And that cage fighting bull crap.

I scoffed, glancing back at the screen.

Then was this some kind of underground thing? Like drugs and Dons? I shook my head, grabbing my phone from the desk.

Caleb was too known for that.

There would have been an article, a rumor, even the smallest spark. I guess I had to do things the old fashioned way. I tried being logical.

I scrolled to his name, which was the only other contact I had asides my father and texted him.

Me: Liar.

I waited. He read the message. Typing bubbles floated.

Devils incarnate: What?

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. I was about to reply when I heard a faint tap on my glass. I froze, head snapping back. The sound came again. Stronger this time, like someone was trying to get my attention.

My feet moved before I did, call it curiosity, call it stupidity. Either way, I yanked my curtains open and froze. A frown tugged at my lips.

“How did you-“

I trailed off, staring at the man standing in my backyard like he belonged there. Silver hair glinting under the moonlight and a smile to match the crazy look in his eyes that he so desperately tried to hide.

Those hedges were tall.

No one just walked through them.

Another mystery.

“I came to apologize,” he said smoothly, lifting a bottle of wine slightly. “And maybe ask for a do-over.”

When the silence stretched longer than five seconds, he spoke again.

“You’re staring,” he added lightly. “Not a great sign for my apology.”

This was insane. I had just run from one brother, the other a pathological liar and now, one of them is standing here… offering me wine.

He took a step forward. “I’m Willow,” he said. “And I promise I’m not usually that aggressive.”

A wind gust blew through me, earning a shiver. I wrapped a hand around my chest, leaning forward despite myself.

This was a bad idea. A very bad idea. I should close the curtains and lock the door. Pretend none of this ever happened. But…

The answers I needed were right there. Standing in my backyard. Smiling at me.

“What wine?” I asked finally.

His smile widened.

Good.

“The Château Haut-Brion,”

Oh. And he’s got taste.

I couldn’t help the smirk that tugged on my face.

“I hope you’re a better company than your brother.” I said.

I saw his eyes brighten. Like a puppy with a treat. Which was a huge contrast to what he actually looked like.

Towering, slender, and judging by the way his muscles are carved to perfection, he had to be involved in a sport.

Cage fighting perhaps.

“I’d like to think so.” His deep voice drew me out of my thoughts.

I hesitated for a minute before finally straightening.

“Come in.”

And just like that, I had invited one demon into my home… and the rest followed suit.