Secret Keepers

Chapter 23

I could hear the hustle and bustle of all six men as they joyfully shared a sedate bottle of wine in the living room. I stood in the bath room, stripping off and preparing to take a dip for a little while. I'd nearly been bruised by the hugs and back pats I'd received when Runner told them what I'd gotten him to do.

As I stepped into the water and sank down to my chin, I took a long deep breath. I was slowly unraveling these men one at a time. They'd kept their secrets hidden deep in the twisted fibers of their personalities. But all I had to do was twist them around a bit and their histories and troubles were displayed like the frayed strings of a rope. But in unraveling their minds, I could tell I was twisting them back into place in an even stronger rope. They no longer hid their feelings in the fibers, but they used those sturdy memories to make them tougher and stronger.

I heard loud laughter coming from the living room and I chuckled as I heard someone fall over a chair. They were a handful, but I loved them all. They each had found a unique place in my heart. Cutter was my lover and the one I adored the most. Rage was almost like a son or a nephew. Tracker was like a father who gave me tips. Slice and Dagger were like best friends who talked to me when I was bored. But Runner. Throughout today I'd realized that Runner was like a brother.

Despite the impact I had on him, he had an equally strong impact on me. I could see in his eyes he wanted to protect me, but he also knew I could protect him from his haunting memories.

I smiled and dipped my hair under water, getting fully soaked. Then someone tapped my head and I gasped, looking up.

"Its just me, Shadow."

Cutter gave me a gentle smile and I laughed. "Sorry. Still not completely used to encountering a man in the bathroom."

"Even after this long? When you've encountered nearly every one of us in here?"

I stuck my tongue out at him and he laughed, standing up and stripping down. He dropped down beside me and the water splashed up over my head. I squealed and covered my head, but before I could recover, he was beside me, cradling my body into his. He smiled and placed his lips on the skin below my ear, moving along my jaw. I shivered as the stiff beginnings of a beard brushed along my face. He chuckled as he felt my goosebumps. "Ticklish?"

"Just a little."

He rubbed his jaw and nodded. "I'll shave tonight. Don't worry."

I reached up and rubbed it myself. "Thank you for the consideration, but if you don't want to you don't have to."

He rolled his eyes. "I want to because I don't want it to distract you from me."

I laughed and leaned up, kissing him gently on the lips. "It only distracts me for a moment."

He started to smile, but then he paused, his smile fading into a troubled frown. "Does it ever bother you that I'm so much older than you? It only occurred to me today as a problem."

I shrugged. "It was weird at first, but it's only ten years. I've heard of much worse."

He nodded and leaned back into the smooth rock edge of the pool. "I know, but I feel weird now thinking about it. I'll be twenty seven in a month. You're still sixteen and a half."

I sighed and hugged his neck, kissing his cheek. "Its only a problem if you make it a problem. I'm okay with it. So it really isn't a problem. But if you start treating me like a child then yes, it will be a problem."

He glanced at me and studied my face. "You know you don't look like a Brenna. You know that right?"

I cocked my head and decided now was a good time. "And you don't look like a Leeland."

He paused and sighed, looking away. "I guess Runner told you huh?"

I nodded and he stared at the water. "I'm glad I don't look like a Leeland. I hated my name. I was named after my father." I flinched as he angrily twisted around and avoided eyes contact with me. Silent tension held me still for a moment before I leaned over and hugged his waist. "Its okay though. I prefer Cutter a lot more than Leeland."

He glanced down at me and his hard eyes almost seemed to melt. He smiled a gentle smile and leaned down to kiss me, but I darted away. I giggled, but then squealed as he dove after me, stirring up waves of water as he chased me around the pool. Suddenly he figured out my methods and he lunged for me after I'd moved. I squealed again as he pinned me to the wall and kissed my jaw. "Gotcha! Hands over your head."

I laughed and did as he asked, giving him a fine view of my breasts. He chuckled and kissed my cheek. "I can't be serious with you. It's not possible."

"What? Am I just that funny?"

"No. You're just that adorable."

I blushed and lowered my arms, hugging his stomach and resting my ear on his chest. He took a deep breath and hugged me back. Beneath my ear, his heart beat strong and consistent in his chest. I pressed my breasts into his stomach and his heartbeat accelerated a little. I laughed and then turned away. "I think I've been in here long enough. I'm tired anyway."

He nodded and leaned back, relaxing against the edge of the pool. He closed his eyes and I got dressed quickly, but as I left the room, I heard him start to sing quietly. I paused right before I left.

Hush hush little child. Close your eyes.

The night won't hurt you. Soon day is nigh.

I will be here when you wake.

Not a tear will fall. Don't cry my baby.

It was an old lullaby common in homes around these parts. My mother had sung it to me when I was little. I smiled at the memory and walked down the hallway to his room. As soon as I opened the door, I heard his singing resume a little louder. It echoed beautifully around the slick glossy walls of the cave. Then someone joined him. I looked down the hallway and saw Runner leaning against the wall, singing in a melodious baritone voice.

Tomorrow morning, a new day dawns.

The moon is bright. The darkness yawns.

It won't hurt you. Trust me dear.

I'll hold you closely, safe and near.

I could've wept at the sweet lullaby that I had known so well. But it only got better. Rage, from in the kitchen, let out a lovely tenor.

A cloud it passes, stealing light.

It is okay. Twill be a short night.

Nothing will get you. There's nothing there.

Not beast of earth or bird of air.

Cutter came out of the bath room down the hallway just as Tracker came out from his room to join in with the last verse, belting it out in a strong alto.

Dear little child. Hold my hand.

It will not leave yours. Never again.

Your grip is strong. So is your fear.

But don't be scared. I'm always near.

I sniffed as my emotions overloaded me and then I felt Cutter slip his hand into mine. "I always said that that song was as much of a lullaby as it was a love song."

Tracker smiled from behind him. "Both a real love and a platonic love."

I smiled and hugged Cutter's chest. "I don't even know what to say. That was beautiful."

I heard the other guys coming in for a group hug, but then the entire cave shook violently, throwing us to the floor. Dust and rocks fell from the ceiling along with the sound of cracking rock. I screamed only once, but then everything went black as my head slammed into the wall.