Out of the Shadows (19 page)

Heat washed over her, and she wondered again where Devon was
.
She’d
never done something like this before. Sure, she knew Devon. However, she
didn’t really
know
him. What if this had just been a
booty call? His moods shifted so rapidly sometimes it gave her whiplash. What
if it was only sex to him?

She scurried into the bathroom, shutting and locking the
door behind her. She didn’t want to jump to conclusions, but dressed quickly
nonetheless. One look in the mirror had her cringing at her disheveled locks. Pulling
the tie from her hair she tried to comb through the curls with her fingers.

Footsteps thudded on the bedroom
floor, she tensed, heart fluttering. He was back. She let out a long breath,
sagging against the counter relieved. A new fear flooded her, what was she
supposed to do now?

“Hey, I uh, ordered us pizza, when you’re done in there,”
Devon called through the door.

She heard the creak of the bed as he sat down.

Lark smiled at the reflection in the mirror and finished
messing with her hair, attempting to pull herself together. Satisfied it no
longer looked like a rats nest, she strode out of the bathroom.

“Hi,” she said a nervous flutter in her stomach. Devon sat
with his back on the pillows, feet thrown across the messy sheets, shirtless.
She admired the fine plains of his chest as she slowly sat on the opposite side
of the bed. Lark grabbed a piece of pizza from the box lying atop the
comforter.

“I thought you might be hungry, I figured pizza was safe.
I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t like pizza before.”

“Thanks, this is great.” She was famished. Lark bit into the
pepperonis, savoring the taste hoping it helped her to relax.

She shifted putting her back against the pillows also,
drawing her knees up into her chest. This was new to her. She’d had sex of
course, but she’d been in love at the time, or at least thought she was. Grant
had been her high school sweetie and everything had been so innocent. While she
liked Devon, she didn’t love him, at least not yet. This was more casual, she
wasn’t even sure they were a couple, or what to make of this situation. More
importantly, what
were his feelings for her?
Regardless, she didn’t regret her choice.

She chewed her food as her stomach twisted in knots. Her
muscles coiled together nervously.
She
chastised herself.
You’re over analyzing.

“We should shower and head back to the ranch after we’re
done eating,” Devon said grabbing another slice.

“Ok,” Lark agreed, unsure of what else to say.

“Gene will notice us missing. I would offer to let you stay,
but I know you open tomorrow morning and have nothing else here, so…” Devon trailed
off.

“That’s fine,” Lark said taking several large bites.

“Maybe tomorrow we could, uh, go to dinner after we finish
up?” Devon stammered, his eyes flicking up to hers.

Lark blinked surprised, “Yeah, sure, I’d like that.” Her
muscles eased a little as she leaned into the pillows getting more
comfortable.

“You like Luigi’s?”

“Yeah, I love their mushroom ravioli,” Lark smiled, the
awkwardness ebbing away.

Devon grabbed another piece of pizza and she reached for her
second one.

“I should ha
ve bought
two pizzas.”

Lark looked down at the last
remaining slice. “It’s fine.” Her eyes drifted to his sculpted abs.
Must
be nice to have that kind of metabolism.

“Do you want it?”

Lark shook her head. “No.”

“Vincent, Marcus, and Preston will be with you the remainder
of the week. I have stuff I have to do during the day. Between getting things
prepared here, and more negotiations and plans with Derek and Gene
, m
y day is
booked.”

“I understand, I’m sure there are lots of politics to work
out.”

“There is a complication too.”

Lark frowned. “Like what?”

“There is another girl there. Daniel was kind of vague on
the details; of course he doesn’t know the plan either. But Gene, Derek and I
all agreed we should attempt to help her. It will make things tricky with You,
Emily, and the two
other
girls too.”

“We should help her though.”

“You and Emily are my first priority, followed by Amelia and
Maddie. We’ll help her if we can, if she even wants it. If she grew up in the
Gulf packs she might be accustomed to that lifestyle.”

“Only because she doesn’t know anything else,” Lark pointed
out.

“True, but that makes us just as bad to force her into our
lifestyle, does it not? Our world is different than yours. Defying your alpha
is grounds for death.”

Lark wanted to rebut, but he was right, she knew very little
of their world. “Fine, but we should help her, if she wants it.”

Devon took the last slice of pizza, and paused with it at
his lips. “Are you sure you don’t want this?”

Lark held up her hands.

“I’m good.” She chewed on her lower
lip for a long moment while she worked up the courage to ask about Emmett. “So,
if Emmett catches you…” she couldn’t finish her question.

“Yeah, nothing my mom does or says, will save me this time.”

“This time?” Lark repeated. Her eyes flicked to the thin
white lines on his chest. “Is that what happened?” Realization struck her as
she thought of her forehead
.
T
he scar was
still pink, but would look similar to his in a few months.

Devon ran a hand over his chest, the pads of his fingers
tracing the defined claw marks.

“When he told us his plans for
Emily, I challenged him. I lost, it wasn’t a fair fight. If my mother hadn’t of
stepped in-” he sighed, a defeated look on his face “-He would have killed me.
His soft spot has always been my mother, she saved my life. Though, I get the
feeling that had there have been others around, it wouldn’t have mattered what
she said or did.”

“How was it not a fair fight?” Lark questioned quietly.

“When you challenge an alpha for authority it is supposed to
be just the two of you. Emmett had two others who helped him when it became
obvious I was going to win. One of which was Daniel. They attacked me before I
dealt the final blow. I’m just thankful Vincent wasn’t there, or Em. I’ve never
wanted them to be caught up in the crossfire.” Devon got up from the bed and
walked toward the bathroom. “I’m going to take a shower.” He turned back to her
with a sly smirk. “If you’d like to join me.”

Lark wanted to ask more questions, but recognized that he
was done with the conversation. Heat consumed her body as the implication of
what he was implying washed over her.

***

The ride back to the manor was quiet, it was a comfortable
silence. Devon could still hear Lark’s soft moans as he’d taken her in the
shower. He still felt her soft slippery flesh sliding against his as their
bodies peaked with pleasure.

He couldn’t get enough of her.
Being with Lark was different. He cared for her more than he had any other
woman. It made the experience that much more pleasurable.

When he’d returned to the room with dinner, Lark had seemed
uncomfortable. At first he’d worried she’d regretted what they’d done, but she
had relaxed once they started talking.

“You should wear your hair down more often, it looks nice,”
Devon commented, breaking the silence.

Her hair fell in soft wavy curls around her face. Cinnamon
and vanilla wafted in the air. Even after a shower, the fragrance still
enveloped her. It was intoxicating.

“Thanks, I pull it up for work. No one wants hair in their
food-” she paused, laughing “-but after our practice I’ll wear it down for
dinner.”

Devon nodded opening his mouth to respond when Lark asked,
“So will you go back to being a paramedic once things settle down?”

“Probably not. There won’t be time for that. Most of my time
will be spent at the farm house, especially when things first get up and
running. I suppose I’ll have to learn some things about horses and breeding,”
Devon sighed. He had enjoyed being a paramedic, but stepping up and taking his
rightful place was more important.

Devon scrubbed a hand over his face
and continued, “That’s how the farm house has been kept up for the most part.
My father owned part of the business with Rick, though Rick did all the leg
work when my father passed, his half was left to me. I don’t think there will
ever be horses on my property, but if that is what is going to be the main
source of income for my homestead, I should probably be involved.”

“I can help you a little too. Rick showed me a lot on how to
do the books and record profits and losses. I’m sure he worked with Gene as
well, but if you need help, I’m here,” Lark offered, her lip rolled between her
bottom teeth as she laid her hand on top his on the gear shift.

Devon looked at her hand, letting her warmth ebb into his
before entwining their fingers.

“Thanks.” He down shifted as he
made the turn into the ranches driveway.

The car pulled to a stop behind the house and he shut the
ignition off. This was the part where he didn’t know what to do. What was
correct protocol after having mind blowing sex with a woman when you didn’t
want to blow them off?

“Today was nice, I had fun.” Devon cringed, he knew that
probably sounded horrible. Of course he had fun, there activities had been
quite pleasurable, but it was more than that.

“Me too. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.” Lark leaned over
the gear shift and placed a feather light kiss to his lips

Devon wanted more, if the ranch wasn’t over occupied he
would take her to his room and have her again and again, but he didn’t want to
make her the subject of discussion. While he didn’t mind being hassled, he was
certain some of the guys would make untoward comments about them. He wasn’t
sure if she was ready to broadcast whatever this was to everyone yet.

What am I doing with her? What is
this?

“I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon,” Devon kissed her again
before pulling away. “Go ahead in, I have to tend to a few things first.”

“Okay, goodnight.” Lark smiled as she got out of the car.

Devon let out a long breath of air as she walked away. A
part of him wanted to push her away
,
to get her out of his life
before things became too complicated and she left him. The other half had no
idea what to make of her and the way she made him feel.

Devon walked into Rick’s office,
shutting the door behind him. He just couldn’t get used to the fact that Rick
was gone, it would take awhile for him to accept that it was now Gene’s office.
A part of him still expected Rick to be setting in the leather office chair.
Sadness
tugged at his heart, Rick
was gone.

Gene sat at the desk, bent over
scribbling something on a piece of paper. His cousin held up a finger
indicating he needed a moment.

With a sigh, Devon took a seat in a
leather chair opposite the desk. Derek had left yesterday afternoon to return
to Amarillo for a few days before they made the trip to Guymon.

Vincent and Lark would meet Derek
at his homestead and then they would make the trip together to Oklahoma. The
plan still made him nervous, but there was no other option. They needed to get
Emily before she was moved to Santa Fe. Once there, there would be no hope for
rescue.

“How is everything going with Lark?
You two came in so late the past few nights I haven’t gotten to speak with
her,” Gene said as he set his pencil down, jarring Devon from his thoughts.

Devon licked his lips. He couldn’t
tell if Gene was fishing for information or genuinely curious about her
progress.

“Good. She’s a smart girl and
handles herself well under pressure. I think she will be fine, as long as we
follow through with our end of things.”

“She has a fighting spirit. This is
going to work, Dev, I wouldn’t put her in danger if I had doubts.”

Their plan was solid, but it had to
be followed to a T. “I know.”

“There is something we need to talk
about,” Gene sighed, leaning forward on his elbows. “It’s about Daniel.”

Devon quirked a brow, his jaw
clenching. “What about him?”

Gene studied him for a long moment.
“I would like to offer Daniel sanctuary here. If he chooses to help us when the
time arises, then I feel he will have earned it.”

“With you?” Devon scowled.

“Yes. I know the two of you have a
history, but I think with everything going on bygones should be bygones. It
would be unjust to turn him out on his own after everything,” Gene replied
quietly.

“I’m sure Vincent and Em would
appreciate it,” Devon breathed out after a long moment.

“Perhaps the two of you could
repair your relationship,” Gene reiterated. “It’s a whole new world now.”

Devon laughed hollowly. “Maybe, but
I’ve never been his brother, Gene. I don’t think that will ever change.”

“You could consider this another
chance. If you wanted too.”

“Yeah.” Devon seriously doubted
that would happen. Even if he gave it a go, he doubted Daniel could ever be
civil to him. Hatred had been ingrained into his younger brother. And Devon
would never forget Daniel’s betrayal when he challenged Emmett.

“Is the house coming along?” Gene
asked drawing him out of his thoughts.

Devon nodded in response, he had a
feeling he could hand over the reigns of refurbishing to Lark and she would
have a field day with it.

“Well enough.”

Thinking of Lark drew his mind back
to their conversation about Sarah.

“If something falls through with
our plans I need to know that you’ll honor a promise I made to Lark.”

Gene frowned but nodded.

Devon leaned forward onto the desk,
his palms resting on the cherry finish, staring down his cousin.

“I told her Sarah would be taken
care of no matter what. If things fall apart and the worst happens. I need your
word you will send Preston away with Sarah to keep her safe.”

Gene leaned back inhaling sharply
his mouth opened to reply but Devon cut in, “She’s putting her life and
virtue-” he cringed, his body tensing at what might happen to her “-on the line
for us Gene, it’s the least we can do for her.”

“You’re right,” Gene agreed after a
long moment. “If something happens, I’ll send Preston and Sarah away with new
identities and enough money to keep them comfortable for a while.”

“Thank you.”

***

Lark pushed her phone back into her purse with a sigh.
Tilting her head back, she massaged her temples, her desk chair squeaking
beneath her. After last night she’d sent Grant a text saying she wouldn’t be
able to meet him Saturday. It didn’t seem right.

Of course he had questioned her repeatedly of why they
couldn’t meet and wanted to reschedule. It turned out Devon had been right
suggesting their talking meant more to him than her. Guilt flooded her
conscious, but she was prepared to make a clean break.

“Long day?”

Lark sat up and smiled at Vincent as he entered her office.
He leaned against the wall, hands shoved into his jean pockets.

“Sort of, all this working out and
getting up early is really starting to take its toll.”

Sure she had a decent nap
yesterday, but she was still exhausted. Her body wasn’t used to the things she
was putting it through. Although, she was a lot less tense today than she’d
been in months.
Probably has something to do with the
amazing sex I had yesterday.

“Is that what you kids call it these days?” Vincent smirked.

Lark frowned at him confused. “What are you talking about?”

“Nothing,” Vincent shrugged his grin widening. “I’m sure Dev
is putting you threw the ringer.”

Lark nodded. The first few days she’d ached in places she
didn’t even know could hurt.

“That and the heat. It takes a lot
out of you. We ran a few miles the other day. I thought I was going to die.”

“I bet,” Vincent said, his smile now resembling a Cheshire
cat.

“Did you need something?” Lark asked as she pulled a few
orders out of the binder on her desk.

“Not really, I’m just hiding out in here for a minute.”

Lark tilted her head at him, glancing between him and the
door.

“There’s this girl I took out the other night, she’s here
and she’s a bit of a clinger,” Vincent explained.

“Oh,” Lark mumbled.

“She was nice and all, but I don’t do relationships.”

“Why?” Lark asked curious. Not the first time she’d heard
that line, just this time it was coming from a different brother.

“Well, there is the obvious
. S
harp teeth,
yellow eyes, and all, but I’m not ready for a commitment. I’m only twenty-one,”
Vincent smiled with a shrug.

“I think there’s more to it than that,” Lark commented
meeting his green eyes.

Vincent’s smile slipped away, he ran a hand through his
brown hair.

“There is, but I’ll let my big bro
tell you. Maybe some nice pillow talk after your next romp,” his smile
returned, voice li
ght and filled with a chuckle.

Lark’s mouth popped open in surprise, heat rushing through
her cheeks.

His eyebrows wiggled suggestively. “Well, your face confirms
it,” Vincent laughed. “I only saw your little kiss in the car, but I take it
more happened than a little goodnight peck.”

Lark rolled her tongue between her teeth, and then clamped
down on her bottom lip.

“Just remember you’re hiding out in
my office,” she smiled sweetly at him, eyebrow quirked.

“Touché! Well played.”

“Do you think he’ll talk to me?” Lark asked after a long
moment, she adjusted the papers in her hand nervously.

Vincent sat down in the chair opposite her.

“Devon is a complicated guy, much
more so than I am. But yes, I think he likes you
. Y
ou have a
way of bringing him out whether he wants it or not. Just don’t push him and
don’t let him do the same to you.”

Lark let Vincent’s words settle in. Devon had a way of
blocking others out; she’d seen it firsthand. Now she needed to figure out how
to make sure he didn’t continue to do it to her.

***

Butterflies fluttered in Lark’s stomach. She hadn’t been on
an actual date in years. They’d already slept together, so dinner should be
easy, or at least she thought. Still the first date jitters set all her nerves
on end as they walked through the restaurant to their table.

She smoothed out her yellow sundress as she took a seat in
the plush black chair. True to her word, she’d kept her hair down. Letting the
blonde curls fall in soft waves around her face.

Devon was dressed in jeans and a grey polo. The grey of his
shirt accented the bluish-green of his eyes, making the swirling colors more
intriguing. The polo showed off the girth of his shoulders and his muscled
upper arms and back. If she closed her eyes she could still feel the muscles of
his back rippling beneath her fingers.

Lark watched as he picked up the menu and began to peruse
it. She already knew what she wanted. The mushroom ravioli was magnificent, and
she
rarely
ordered anything else.

“Do you want any wine?” Devon asked, peering over the golden
and black menu.

“No thanks.”

Devon nodded and continued to look over the menu. After several
minutes the waiter came and took their order and they both relaxed back into
their seats.

“I hope Vincent didn’t give you a hard time today, I
understand you two had a…chat.”

Lark smiled. “We did, and it’s fine. He was actually hiding
from some girl he hooked up with so he didn’t have much room to talk. I’m sure
you got the third degree though,” she faltered, wondering what he would have
told his brother.

“Vincent is nosy, but I didn’t tell him anything.” Devon
assured her with a chuckle and shake of his head. “And I’ll talk to him about
picking girls up from the bakery. Or at least make sure he knows to make sure
they don’t know where to find him.”

Lark let out a relieved breath.

“Thanks. I don’t want him scaring
girls away, or worse angry boyfriends showing up.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time. Vincent enjoys causing a
ruckus. I’m just glad Abilene is bigger than Guymon. There were no secrets
there. You sneezed and everyone knew it.”

Lark laughed shaking her head. “So how was your day?”

“Gene and I had a talk about Daniel. He’s going to offer him
sanctuary there, and I approved some more renovations for the house. Nothing
interesting,” Devon replied nonchalantly.

“Are you okay with Daniel being there?” Lark asked watching
him.

Devon sighed, looking down at the table.

“Daniel and I have never gotten
along. Emmett made sure we would never be brothers. After everything that’s
happened, I doubt I’ll ever trust him. But Vincent and Emily care about him.
The three of them are kind of close.”

“What happened with you, Vincent, and Emily
? H
ow did the
three of you become so close?”

“Emmett tried to mold Vincent into the perfect solider like
Daniel, but Vincent has a mind of his own, and eventually broke out of his
shell. He had it tough as a teenager. Regardless, he was still Emmett’s flesh
and blood, which at the end of the day is all that matters to my stepfather.
Emily, she’s a different story. Out of all of us it’s been hardest for her. She
rarely ever left the manor. My mother home-schooled her and she took online
classes for college. In the beginning, I think she was so desperate for another
child to play with, it didn’t matter that I was the jilted older brother. As we
spent more time together we became closer.”

The waiter arrived with their meals, setting the steaming
pasta in front of them. Lark unrolled her silverware, placing the napkin in her
lap. She waited until the middle aged man left before she resumed their talk.

“I think it’s nice that the three
of you were able to band together.”

“It made it easier. Tell me more about your family.”

“We were always very close. As you know, my dad was a doctor
and my mother was a stay at home mom. They were always there for us, sometimes
when we didn’t want them to be,” she joked, causing a small smile to slip
across Devon’s face. “Both my parents were only children and my grandparents
passed away around the time I entered high school. So it’s just me and Sarah
now.”

“I’m sure that was hard losing them so close together,”
Devon replied, as he took a bite of his spaghetti.

“It was, and my parents deaths a few years later made it
that much harder. Sometimes I feel like I never got to really mourn them
properly because I had to be the strong one for me and Sarah. I took care of
all the arrangements, and when the decision came to pull the plug, I had to
make it,” Lark swallowed her voice thick with emotion, as a lump formed in her
throat.

“At twenty-one, I became the sole
guardian to a fifteen year old, and had to make arrangements I never thought I would
have to.”

She sniffled and cleared her throat, “Anyways, it’s made
things difficult the past three years, but I think Sarah and I have overcome
it.”