Brothers

Chapter 4

Mariah’s POV

I don’t know what time I woke up. All I knew was that it was dark.

I blinked a few times before my eyes adjust to the dark. I sat up and looked around to find the room empty.

That’s odd. I thought looking at the cot next to me only to find it empty.

Where’s Dante?

I started to get up only to feel hands on my shoulders pushing me back. I looked up to find Erik grinning at me.

“Erik, what are you doing?” I asked trying to keep my voice from wavering. I felt his body weight on me.

“Com on, Velvet, you know you want this.” he said kissing my throat.

“No, you want this. Get off me.” I said trying to push him back, but he doesn’t budge. What is this guy? A frickin wall? “Erik, get off.” I started to panicked. Normally, I can push guys away from me since I workout all the time, but Erik was persistent.

Where’s Ashes?

I screamed as he started to take my jacket off and kissed down my throat.

Suddenly, he was ripped off me as Dante collides with him and is wrestling with Erik on the floor. I quickly got out of the cot and tripped only to be caught. I looked up and saw John with anger and concern in his eyes.

He let’s go and walks over to Dante and Erik, who was still wrestling between the cots.

John grabs Erik by the collar of his jacket and whispers angrily in his ear. I saw Erik go pale before he was shoved towards the door.

Dante was still growling before I went to him and quieted him down. I looked at John, who was still breathing heavily.

“Thank you.” I whispered, looking down, my hair falling in front of my face, too ashamed to be seen.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.

I nod. “Yeah, I’m fine.” I said. “This is why I don’t sleep.” I mumbled not intending for him to hear.

He walks over to me and kneels in front of me so he was facing me. I looked away and focused on Dante, who was still standing, looking at the door.

“Hey, look at me.” he said grabbing my chin between in forefinger and his thumb, making me look at him. “It’s not your fault. If it makes you feel any better we can patrol together. But you need to rest at some point.”

I looked in his deep ocean blue eyes. I noticed they were darker than before, and it wasn't from the lack of light.

I nod. “I will.”

“Where did the guys go?” he asked looking around and letting my chin go, grateful that he changed the subject.

I followed his eyes and noticed all the cots were empty and it wasn't my imagination.

I let out a shaky breath. “Erik probably woke them and told them it was time for their patrols before he….. um…..” I broke off, unable to finish the sentence. “You know.”

He mumbled something under his breath.

Then it dawned on me.

“Where's Ashes?”  

At the mention of her name, Dante snapped out of his trance and looked at me.

“Dante, search. Go find Ashes.” I commanded, standing up. He barked and started to move towards the flap with his head low, trying to find her scent. John and I started looking between and under the cots.

“Where is she?” I mumbled trying to keep the panic out of my voice.

But John noticed and came over, taking my chin in his fingers, again, making me look at him. “Hey, it’s going to be okay. We’ll find her.” he said looking into my sea green eyes.

I nod and broke away taking a couple steps back.

I can’t be around him. He makes feel emotions that I haven’t felt before.

A sharp bark brought me back from my thoughts.

I snapped my head towards Dante and ran towards him. He bolted outside and down the street going in an alley. I turned the corner and saw Dante hovering over a figure.

Why didn’t I bring a flashlight? Or my gun?

I slowly walked towards Dante when I heard whining. I quickly ran towards the dogs and kneeled down next to them. I put my ear on Ashes chest. I let out a shaky breath, she was breathing, but her heartbeat was faint.

I was about to pick her up when Dante growled followed by a sound of running footsteps.

“Dante…..” I mumbled. He took a step forward just as a figure in uniform steps around the corner.

He was about to attack when a male's voice said, “Wait. It’s okay, it’s me.” John held up his hands and walked slowly towards us.

I let out a breath and picked Ashes up.

“Dante, stand down.” I said sternly. He stopped growling and John puts his hands down and rushes to me.

“Let me carry her.” he said, reaching for the dog. Too tired to object, I let him take her.

When we got back to the tent, I quickly stepped in front of John to lift the flap.

As we walked in, I noticed Liam and Zach in their cots sleeping. John walks over to the cot Dante was sleeping in and laid Ashes down.

“I think he just knocked her out, but if she doesn’t wake up by tonight I would try to wake her up in the morning or take her in.” he said.

I nod, looking down at the unconscious dog. I looked at John when I heard him yawn. He shook his head, trying to get rid of the sleep that threaten to take him.

“You need to get some rest, John.” I said sternly.

He shook his head and looked in my eyes. “What if he comes back?”

I shook my head. “He won’t come back tonight. I think you and Dante took care of that. Besides, he caught me off guard. It won’t happen again.” I smiled, trying to ease his worry.

He shook his head.

I sighed. “If it  makes you feel any better, I can crash here and patrol with you. But you have to promise that you will get some sleep. Dante can guard both of us. These dogs aren’t trained for taking down bad guys, they are also trained to protect who they love.”

He was silent for a moment, pondering what I said. After what seemed like forever, he nods. “Okay. But you have to try to get some rest, too.”

I smiled at the concern in his voice.

“I will.”

Erik’s POV

That prick. Who does he think he is!? I thought as I went underground.

I was trying to show her how much I love her. I already know she loves me, she just doesn’t want to show her true feelings.

Mariah loves me. I know she loves me.

And she will be mine.

John’s POV

After she agreed, we went to our cots.

As soon as my head hit the pillow, I fought to stay awake, but after thirty seconds of battling the sleep monster, I surrendered and fell into deep slumber.