Monsters' Gift (Crude Hill High #2) - Sam Crescent Page 0,22
telling or asking him what he means. Instead, I held on to the knife like it was a lifeline, waiting.
“You’ve used this to kill people?”
“Yes, a lot of people deserve to die, and I just can’t resist hurting people. You of all people should know that by now, Emily.” He sighed. “I keep this on me at all times.”
“Why?”
“You know why.”
“River, I’m not sure what’s going on here.”
“You get it. I know you do.”
“I’m not going to hurt you,” I said.
“I know.”
He took the blade from me and placed it on the floor. I was a little confused but that was soon replaced when he started to clean my body. He’d soaped up a sponge and now he was so very gentle with me. With the short-sleeved shirt he wore, I saw all the new lines of scars. Knife wounds, which I reached out and touched. Sliding my finger across each edge, feeling a little taken aback.
There was fresh ink there as well, but I could pick out the problems.
His breath fanned against my ear. “Do you have any idea how close I’ve come to death?”
This made me pull away. I instantly went to my knees and captured his face. “Why?” I didn’t like how upset I was. It meant these men affected me deeply. They always said there was a fine line between love and hate, and right now, I struggled with every part of it. I felt a little sick to my stomach.
“What do you mean, why?” he asked.
“Is it to punish me?”
“Emily, you’re not making any sense.”
“Why would you put yourself in danger?” I asked. I wanted to slap him, but I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
“You know who we are, what we are. We don’t have a choice. It’s kill or be killed. It doesn’t mean they don’t get a shot in. We’re still alive, just a little more cut up than you’re used to.” He lifted a finger and pushed some of my wet hair out of my face. “But even while you hate us, it’s good to know you don’t wish me dead.”
“I don’t want you to die. I want you to tell me the truth of what the hell is going on. You sent me on my merry way seven years ago, and now you’re back. Don’t think I don’t know what that means. Deals have to be made and I’m part of them. Why?”
“I’m not saying a thing to you.”
“Is this because of Caleb? Is he the one completely in charge now?” I asked.
River’s gaze was still on me like he could see right through me. “You can try to anger me all you want, it doesn’t change anything. We’re a team and the only reason I’m not going to say anything to you, Emily, is because we’re all going to be telling you what is going on.”
Before I knew what was happening, he gripped my head and dunked me underneath the water. I came up spluttering while River looked calm and relaxed as if he didn’t have a care in the world.
It must be nice to be him.
I glared at him but refused to assist him. He didn’t seem to mind. In fact, he was more than happy to let me be still as he washed my body, my hair. When he was done, he stood with a towel.
The child in me wanted to throw water at him. Instead, I stood and held my arms out, waiting.
I let out a little yelp when he lifted me straight from the water without any problem at all. I was shocked, but River dropped the towel, cupped my face, and took my lips in a possessive kiss that thrilled me right down to my toes.
He was the first to break the kiss and I noticed how he rearranged his cock. He took my hand and led me right back into the bedroom where I found we’d had a delivery. Clothes, shoes, and the entire bedroom had been converted into something that resembled my room back in England.
I also noticed a picture on the nightstand, and I let go of River to pick it up. It was of me and Ashley. As always, my best friend was smiling, while I was pretending to be happy. I’d give anything to know she was okay. I didn’t like to think of her as being alone with no one to come home to.
Holding the picture, I turned toward River. “Tell me she’s safe.”