Valentino

Nix and Nathan returned to the house in time for Uncle Rafe and Romeo to arrive. With Uncle Romeo's presence, we got the answer to our question.

"You called my dad," Nathan said.

"No, we called Uncle Rafe to help Noah. He brought back up," I said.

"Well, you're not in jail. That's a plus," Uncle Romeo said.

Nathan rolled his eyes before hugging his dad.

Uncle Rafe peeled Noah from me and hugged him. Noah latched onto Uncle Rafe and clung to him for dear life. Nix kept his mouth shut for once.

Sometimes, it's better than starting shit.

*******
River

My dad led me upstairs to my bedroom, closed the door, and sat me on the bed before sitting beside me. I reposed my arms around his torso and held on for dear life. My dad wrapped an arm around me and held me.

I couldn't explain why I needed to cling to my dad—I had never done so before—until I let it rip in the living room.

"River," Dad said softly.

"What?" I asked with a muffled voice.

"What happened? You were adamant about me giving you breathing room."

I lifted my head with watery eyes. "I don't like that someone hurt you. It's not right." Tears dripped down my face.

My dad pulled back and studied my face. "No, it wasn't right. It's time we talk about it."

"Are you sure?" I sniffled.

My dad nodded before separating us and telling me what happened. I closed my eyes, trying to keep my stomach from revolting.

"River, I promised myself I would never let you endure what I did. It's the reason I'm overprotective of you. I distrusted everyone and took years to let anyone near me."

"What about Grandpa and Nana?"

"Not even them. It took hours of therapy for me to let them hug me."

"What about Ma?"

"Your ma is special, " my dad said wistfully. "She's learned what I needed and works with it. Your grandparents and uncles have learned how to handle me. So, if I become overprotective, it's only because I worry about you."

"Nash won't let anything happen to me."

Dad nodded in agreement to my statement. "River, when you need me, pick up the phone and call me. I won't hesitate to come."

I nodded and wiped my eyes.

My dad wrapped an arm around me and kissed the top of my head. "I love you, River."

"I love you, too, Dad."

My dad might seem like a hardass to everyone else, but he carried a softness for my nana, mom, and me. It was the only time he showed it.

********
Valentino

Uncle Romeo teased Nathan while Uncle Rafe and River were upstairs talking. Nathan got annoyed but didn't lash out at his dad. Plus, who could hurt Uncle Romeo intentionally? He was that lovable uncle.

"Blow up any trees lately, Tino?" Uncle Romeo asked.

"Not lately," I said.

He chuckled.

Uncle Rafe and River returned after their talk. Uncle Rafe handed River off to me. "I'm leaving you in charge of protecting my boy. If anything happens to him, Val won't keep me from beating your ass."

"Nothing will happen to River," I reassured Uncle Rafe.

"I'm counting on it, Tino. We need to head back before Sage blows up Romeo's phone."

My uncles hugged us before leaving. Unlike my dad, they take care of business and leave.

I looked at River. "We good?"

River nodded and wiped his face. "Yeah. We're good."

I nodded and didn't say anything else.

********
Misty

Sometimes, we need to clear the air to move forward. In our case, we needed to cleanse the air since we still had three girls missing and a demon running around loose.

Someone knocked on the door. I answered while the cousins talked about River's breakdown, not that I blame him. Who would have a breakdown when dealing with past events?

When I opened the door, a man smiled at me. "Can I help you?"

"I was looking for Eden. Is she here?" The guy asked.

"Uh, no."

The guy rubbed his chin. "That's a shame. I was hoping to see her and catch up."

"Well, Eden isn't here." I stepped to block his view from the others.

His lips twitched slightly as my necklace vibrated softly. "Nice necklace." He rubbed his hands and pointed at my locket.

"It was a gift."

"It sounds like it from your tone."

"You mentioned you were looking for Eden."

"Eden and I are old friends. It's been a while since we've seen each other."

"I'll tell her you were looking for her."

"You do that." He turned and walked away.

I closed the door and turned to see the cousins staring at me curiously. "What?"

"Who was at the door?" Nash asked.

I pursed my lips. "Oh, no one except your friendly demon."

Their eyes widened before they rushed to the door and flung it open. They ran out of the house to see if they could find the guy who was just there. They didn't, stormed into the house, and shut the door.

"What the fuck, Maggie?" Nixon exclaimed.

"Why wouldn't you tell us?" Nathan asked.

"And have you missed your chance to defeat the demon like before?" I asked, arms folded.

"Who says we would have missed this time?" Noah asked.

"Has it dawned on anyone this thing managed to escape us several times? What makes this time any different?"

"She has a point," Nolan said.

"I don't like it," Nash said, shaking his head.

"No, but we must determine its next move before doing anything. It's time to play it smart, boys," I said.

That was the wrong thing to say at this moment.

******
Valentino

Since Mags enjoys playing games, I played one with her when I tied her wrists and ankles to my bed while leaving her in only her bra and panties. My cousins would have preferred to tie her to a flagpole in her bra and panties. I had other ideas that would benefit me and teach Mags a lesson she'll never forget.

"Nash, untie me! Now!" Mags yanked on her restraints.

I stripped off my clothes slowly while she tried to free herself. "Let's make one thing clear. You're in no position to give me orders."

"This isn't funny, Nash!"

"Neither is stopping us from dealing with that demon. You'll learn a valuable lesson about not making the same mistake twice." I climbed onto the bed in only my boxer briefs.

Mags stopped struggling and raked her eyes over my body as her eyes became hazy with lust. I ran my fingers along her inner thighs as she squirmed, stopping right before I reached her apex. She tried to move her body to get to my fingers. I pressed one hand on her pelvis to hold her in place. She whimpered.

I reached up to her bra and pinched her nipple through the fabric. A moan escaped her lips. I yanked down the bra, revealing the pink tip, and tweaked it as her body jerked.

"Nash, please," she whined.

"Please, what?" I moved to her other breast, yanked the fabric from it, and pinched her nipple. It wasn't hard enough to hurt but provide pleasure.

Mags moaned even more. "Please, Nash."

While I played with her nipple, I moved her panties aside and rubbed between her slick folds, teasing her tiny nub.

"Oh, god," she panted.

"You're so needy, baby girl."

"Please, Nash," she begged.

I kept playing with her body, arousing her to the brink, before removing my hands.

"What the hell?" She lifted her head and glared at me.

I sat back on my legs. "I can end this torture if you promise not to pull the stunt you did this evening."

"You're withholding my orgasm if I make you a promise! Are you insane?"

"Yes, and no, I'm not insane." I moved and hovered over her body, pressing my hardened, covered member against her apex and rubbing against her. "Like I said, I can give you what you need if you promise not to pull that stunt."

Mags opened her mouth as I thrust my hips against her, with only the clothing acting as a barrier. "Fine! I promise!"

I got to my knees, ripped her panties from her, shoved off my boxer briefs, and rolled on a raincoat before impaling her with a quick thrust. She groaned at the intrusion while adjusting to me. I latched onto a pebbled tip with my mouth while thrusting into her fast and hard. She rocked against my body while I reached between us and rubbed her swollen numb. It didn't take long before we both exploded.

I pulled out, tossed the raincoat, and untied her wrists and ankles.

Mags rubbed her wrists while I pulled the covers over us. "Was it necessary to tie my wrists and ankles to the bed?"

"Did you want my cousins to tie you to a flagpole in your underwear?"

"Not really." She covered her chest with the blanket and sheet.

"You should have never answered that door with me." I shook my head.

"You were busy dealing with past family issues."

"It doesn't matter. We don't know who the guy was, except the demon got close to you."

"If it makes you feel any better, he was looking for Eden."

"It doesn't. Why was he looking for Eden?"

"I don't know. Eden never mentioned any friends." Mags shrugged.

"We'll talk to Eden tomorrow. Until then, you owe me."

"For what?"

"Everything." I threw the covers over our heads and showed Mags what I meant.