Wingless, book 1 of Wingless Series

Sight

I wake up when something loud hits a wall in Evan's house, not sure which wall, but it is enough to pull me from my sleep.

He isn't there anymore. I sit up, trying to focus in the dark. Half asleep I stumble through his house following the only light down the hallway.

"Please, Evan," an old man begs on his knees.

And there Evan stands in front of the man with a vacant expression, another guy beside him, with dark hair and bright blue eyes.

My skin sprouts a million goose bumps. And before my eavesdropping can go any further they see me.

Evan yanks the doorknob from my hand. I can't move. I'm frozen in place.

"What are you doing awake?" he asks.

I can't take my eyes off the man on his knees. His shirt is ripped, and one of his shoes is missing. I can only imagine what has happened for him to look how he does.

"I heard a noise. Is everything alright?"

Evan shuts the door before he says anything else. "Everything is fine."

"Who is that man? Is he hurt?"

"That man works for my dad. It's business." He touches my arm.

"You're not going to...you know?"

He smirks and leads me down the hall, opening another door.

"Come here," he coxes, wagging a finger at me.

I smile at him trying to make sense of what happened.

"I'm here, now what?"

He moves in, finding my lips. His are warm, he softly kisses me, making my heart skip beats. It's still thrilling even when I don't know what's happening to the man in the other room.

"You can sleep in here." He kisses me again. "And I'll be back."

I grab his belt buckle. "I don't want you to leave." This time I'm the one kissing him. He backs me into the wall. Running a hand across my cheek, down my neck, tracing a single finger down my chest, he stops before things go too far.

"I'll be back. And then we can fall asleep together." His lips hit my cheek, sending butterflies through me.

I climb into his big bed and snuggle up against his big pillows. His bed smells like him and that makes me smile.

 I can't imagine him ever being violent.

I don't know where things are heading. But I am eager to find out.

It's hard to fall asleep not knowing what is happening in the next room. The thought he's in there possibly hurting someone is thrilling and scary.

I'm not sure how I feel about power. But I know in some ways we all want to have it.

It isn't anything I have ever known. But there is no denying that Evan is powerful. I wished so many times in my life that things would go my way—and when they didn't I was angry.

The closer we become the more I will learn about his family. I like the thought of it. Maybe power is the key to my problems. It's enough for Evan to accept a family that isn't even his. There has to be a part of him that enjoys the dangerous side.

I lack the ability to change my circumstances. I can't change my family or the way my life turned out. If I want to break free I need a good reason.

Most people probably think I'm crazy for ever wishing I was not part of my family. But I know the truth, I'm on the inside. If they knew what I did they wouldn't be so quick to judge.

When Marcus died we were depressed. My mom was hospitalized over Marcus' death. And my dad, he had his own issues after Marcus died. We were all one big mess.

Evan settles into the bed. He lies down beside me.

"I'm awake," I say, so he knows I'm not sleeping.

He touches my arm, rubbing small circles into my hand.

"I thought you would be sleeping." He runs his fingers through my hair.

"I was waiting for you," I tell him, I rest my head on his chest. I love the sound of his breathing, it soothes me.

"Is there anything you want to say to me?"

"What happened to that man?" This bugs me. And if he wants to answer I'll ask.

"That man borrows money from my family. And I'm the one who has to deal with him when he doesn't pay back his loans. I'm sorry if that scared you." He kisses my cheek.

"I'm fine. Thanks for being honest."

"I have no reason not to be, the other guy that's my brother, Kenny." He sighs, pulling me close. "Can we go to sleep?"

"Of course."