Roan Black ✔ #Wattys2017

Roan Black - Six

Chapter Six

Roan had never in his long five hundred years, felt the sudden fear that he felt when Drake had mentioned Audrey seeing this rogue. Roan didn't believe that he would have felt such an emotion if it had been any other one, but the fact that it was Raven made his skin crawl. He had seen several bodies left behind, several bodies that had mixed together due to Raven's mutilations and sickness. Until now, Roan had managed to put his feelings aside and push forward, but now that it was Audrey, he couldn't find it in him to put the feelings aside. He had been so overcome with emotions, he hardly remembered leaving the house or ushering Audrey into the truck. The drive was silent, tension filled even and Roan knew he had to put the thought's of Raven aside, for now. "How are things going at the cabin?" He asked, hoping to break some of the tension, even though his voice came out gruff.

Audrey nearly jumped when Roan spoke, her mind had been else where. Thoughts of both Drake and Roan's odd behavior at the cabin and what had made Roan come back out with such a grim expression. He hadn't exactly had a pleasant expression before, but it was relaxed, calm, but then when he returned it was like he had changed in those few minutes. Like, he'd been given horrible news. "Besides the fact that I was forgetful enough not to grab food or the basic necessities before coming, everything is fine. My parents were good about keeping the place up to date and making sure that everything that needed fixing was seen too.." The thought of Audrey's parent's had her going silent. She wished she could see them both again, to be here with them, just one more time.

Roan was aware of the sudden change and frowned. "Where are your parent's?" He asked, not thinking anything of it.

Audrey looked out the window, looking at the tree's as they passed by in a blur. "They're both dead. My father died in a car accident, then soon after my mother. I think it was hard for her when my father died. She just couldn't move forward." Audrey shook her head sadly, "we were close and I was helpless as I watched her die a little more each day. I should have done something sooner, but I was determined that she would be fine. That each day was another day.." Audrey blinked away the sting of tears and cleared her throat, throwing a side glance to Roan. The poor man was kind enough to give her a ride to town and here she was spewing her sob story. "I'm sorry. I don't know why I said all of that." She laughed a bit, trying to ease the uncomfortableness.

Roan had listened and ached for her loss. She was so young and to have to bare through not only the death of her father, but then to watch as her mother slowly dwindled away wasn't something anyone should have to go through. "Don't apologize. I don't mind listening to you and if it counts for anything I am sorry you had to go through that. You're young and shouldn't have had to go through that, especially not alone. Didn't you have anyone else to help you?"

Audrey blinked, slightly amused. "I'm twenty five, hardly that young and no. It was just my parents and I, then it was just my mother and I. I had friends, but it wasn't their problem and I didn't want to drag them into it. Plus, I'm not one for sympathy. I'm sure had I told them what was going on they would have continuously asked me if I was okay. Then I would feel the need to lie and say that I was, when in reality I was far from it."

Roan was silent for a moment, though he hadn't forgot her comment about being safe, he wondered if the loss of her mother was also what contributed to her moving all the way out in the boonies away from others. Instead of appeasing his curiosity, he decided to change the subject as he pulled into the cafe's parking lot. "Is this place good for breakfast?"

Audrey nodded, smiling at the memories she had here. "Yes, this is perfect. I used to come here every summer. I wonder if Betsy and Jimmy still work here..." Audrey slide out of the truck, only letting go of the door when her feet finally touched the ground, then walked around the truck and walked side by side into the café. It was odd for her, to be so comfortable yet so uneasy at the same time with someone. The feeling was confusing, but she was sure over time she would get used to Roan and his brother's presence.

Roan held the door open for Audrey, following her inside. His nose was instantly filled with the scent of bacon, sausage, and syrup. It was an interesting combination, but one he actually found himself enjoying. "We'll go to the general store after we're done eating. If they don't have everything that you need, it really isn't that far of a drive to the city. I can take you there if you want."

Audrey smiled at the generous offer as she took a seat at a table, but shook her head. "Thank you, but I'm sure the general store will have everything that I need. I'm really not that picky." Audrey looked at the menu, happy to see that nothing had changed. Her mouth watered as she went over the different selections.

Roan couldn't concentrate on looking at the menu when all he could think of was spreading Audrey out on the table, stripping her down and having her for breakfast. The thought was so sudden and unexpected that his body immediately hardened. The way her brow's creased as her eyes scanned the menu, the way she drew her lower lip in and nibbled had him nearly sweating with need. Everything about her was perfect. Roan stiffened when a waiter finally appeared, cheerful and a little too fixated on his mate. Roan was about to snap out a reprimand, but was stopped when Audrey spoke.

"Oh my gosh! Kenny? Is that you?" Audrey eye's widened considerably as she took in the boy. He was a dead ringer for Betsy's and Jimmy's son.

Kenny's mouth dropped as he looked over Audrey with much more appreciation, shock evident in his eyes. "Auddie? It's been forever!"

Roan watched as both Audrey and the boy shared a hug, cooling down slightly after doing a quick read of the boy's thoughts. As soon as he'd learned who Audrey was, he quickly pushed aside any lustful thoughts, only to replace them with brotherly love. When Roan was introduced, he nearly laughed when the boy's thoughts were projected to him. The boy was sure that Roan wasn't good for Audrey and was sure he would be able to defend her if it came down too it. He also read that the boy would have a talk with him about their 'Auddie'. Roan was ready and looking forward to the small chat.

Audrey felt a while lot better heating that both Betsy and Jimmy were well and still running the café. It made little sense, but the ownership still being with family friends made Audrey feel like apart of her parents were here. "So Mr. Black," she began, "when did you and your brother buy the cabin?"

Roan raised his brow, technically he has owned that cabin since it was built fifty years ago, but he couldn't go telling her that. He smiled lightly, "we bought it last year, but this is our first time really being here."

Audrey smiled, tilting her head ever so slightly. "Hmm I don't picture you or Drake as country men." She blushed when images of Roan wearing nothing but tight jeans and boots popped into her head and took a drink of her soda to hide her face.

"We aren't, but then we aren't city either. We can adjust to any culture and environment." Roan was stating facts. He and his brother knew several languages, could read several languages. It helped them with their travels.

Audrey raised her brows at the confidence in his voice and oddly enough believed him. She didn't know what it was about him, but it wouldn't surprise her if this man could do everything. The thought suddenly had her blurting out something that would haunt her forever. "Can you build a shopping mall with just a toothpick and a knife?"

Not the best chapter, but still let me know what you think!