Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June Page 0,55

Patrick to where the rest of the brothers were, and I sat in Jacob’s lap. They all each took turns to compliment my dress, and I felt increasingly fussed over. Being the center of their attention was addicting and intimidating.

It was difficult to talk over the loud music, but words weren’t necessary when I made eye contact with each of them. Maverick looked at me like I was a deep ocean that he wanted to swim in. He was a lighthouse in this crazy world, one that guided me and understood my path.

Kemper was tentative in his gaze. He looked at me like a man studying a painting, or a beautiful landscape. Like he wanted to commit every portion of it to memory.

Jacob’s smile reached his eyes and kissed my face with a kind and genuine appreciation. Like he couldn’t believe I was there.

Cyler’s gaze stripped me bare and left all the darkest parts of me open to him. He looked at me like he saw me for exactly who I was, and he still like every dark part.

Patrick absorbed every inch of my skin. He stole glances like a thief, and his heated looks made my stomach flutter. He drank in my appearance. I was a river rushing wildly between us, and his eyes steadily flowed up and down my body.

Lastly, Huxley avoided looking at me. I stared openly, and even the others shook their heads at my apparent desperation. I needed to know that he saw me for who I was. For who I wanted to be for his family. But, not once, did his beautiful eyes graze mine. Despite knowing the affection I had for the others, I still felt empty because of him.

After a few more songs, I decided that it was time for cake. If I waited any longer, the townsfolk would all be passed out from drunkenness. I volunteered Kemper and Jacob to assist me in bringing the cake out, so the three of us made our way over to the freezer at the General Store at the end of the street. It was much quieter there, as all the activity had moved to around the music and bonfire, but the three of us chatted with one another.

They both had a little to drink, so their cheeks were pink and their eyes playful. We joked as we made our way in the store, mostly laughing at Cyler’s dancing with Maverick. Once inside, we made our way to the freezer, but an electrical clicking sound caused me to freeze. I whirled around to see both men collapsed on the ground, seizing in pain. I bent over, trying to figure out the source of their discomfort but a giant, hairy arm snaked around my middle and picked me up. The stranger forcibly began dragging me through the back door and away from the store. At first, I was too scared to react, but my survival instinct kicked in, and I began thrashing aimlessly, desperate to get free of this stranger. He slammed me against the freezer door and hit my face with his fist.

Soon, I was thrown into a transport and the door sealed shut behind me. A loud click indicated that the doors were locked, which meant I was trapped. I looked around frantically and kicked the seats until a familiar voice shocked me out of my terror.

“Calm down; they’re listening to everything you say.” I turned around to see a solemn Josiah observing me with a frown.

“What-what’s going on?” I asked.

“As much as I hate to admit it, you were safer here. You were safer with them,” he said while thrusting a shaky hand through his hair. He sounded defeated, and it made me whimper. The transport jolted as if something hit it, forcing me to fly out of my seat.

“Where is Jules?” I asked.

“She’s currently moving her belongings back into the Black household, I’m sure,” he answered with a dismissive wave. “This is so much bigger than you can ever imagine. So much bigger than us,” Josiah said in a whisper while looking around the transport.

“What are you talking about?” I whispered.

“I understand now—your need for a better life, Ash. I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure you get that. I tried to keep you far away, but Cyler’s interest in you is problematic. They’re making me bring you back to Galla. They’re hoping to use you as a bargaining chip.”

“Who is making you, Josiah?” I asked in a