One of Six (Den Hollows #1)

3. Beatrice

3

BEATRICE

Mr. Gleeson runs toward me as I head for the exit. I toss him the ten dollars and head for the door. I stop. What if Mr. Gleeson needs help?

I'm not sure how long I stand in the doorway, but the next thing I know I'm being grabbed from behind. I don't even struggle when I look down and see strong hands leading to leather-clad arms around my stomach. When I inhale, the man behind me even smells wonderful. I'm tempted to turn my face to his neck and take another whiff. He'd probably think I was crazy if I buried my nose there.

"Aren't you going to fight me, little girl?" His rough voice breaks me out in goose bumps.

"Atilio," Mr. Gleeson's voice makes him turn around so we're both facing the shopkeeper. "Please put Beatrice down. She's a good girl. Not like..." he winces.

The tall man is the oldest brother, only twenty-six. He was born Atilio Junior, but when his father died four years ago, he dropped the Junior. At least that's what I heard. I may not see the Redd men, but I know all about them. I'm good at listening when others think I'm not.

“I like it in his arms." He starts to move and Mr. Gleeson winces as we pass him. "Make sure the doors are locked."

He carries me to the back of the store where his brothers are waiting. They are all handsome men with a mixture of dark and medium brown hair.

"She's checking us out," another brother says with a grin on his face and amusement dancing in his bright green eyes.

I narrow mine. "I wonder who I should kick in the balls first," I reply.

His eyes go wide, and he moves in front of me. "I can assure you that if you ever get near my balls, you will either be on your knees sucking my dick or on your back with your legs spread."

"Dipshit!" one brother slaps the younger one on the back of the head.

"Excuse Ridge, all his manners were knocked out of him years ago when Atilio dropped him on his head."

"Fuck you, Boone!”

"Guys," Mr. Gleeson appears. "Leave them alone. Atilio, put her down. Ridge, your mother needs to wash your mouth out with soap and water."

My feet hit the ground so suddenly that I lose my footing. Another brother steps forward. "I'm the nice brother. Ignore my twin. I'm Galen." He holds out his hand.

I take it quickly as he begins to pull away. "I'm Beatrice."

His face splits into a huge grin. "Your popsicles are melting."

I blink, surprised.

"Stop flirting," Atilio says. "We've got shit to do." He grabs my hips and sits me down on a freezer lid. "You, don't move."

"Okay." I look into his brown eyes and see flecks of gold. He has kind eyes, I think as he pulls away.

I'm curious about what's going on here. Mr. Gleeson isn't afraid of them. So, they can't be robbing the store. Atilio and his brothers are bigger than me. They are over six feet tall. They all wear jeans and a T-shirt with leather jackets of different styles.

I know who each of the brothers are, even though this is the first time I've met them, or rather, the first time I've been in the same room with them.

I absentmindedly tear into another popsicle, sucking out all the melted liquid before pushing the last piece of ice up. I tilt my head and wrap my tongue around it before sucking it into my mouth. It's a little too long to fit, but I crunch it down.

"Those damn things should be illegal in your hands," Atilio says, rearranging his crotch. My eyes fly to his as my face flushes with heat. He gently removes the last one from my hands and smiles. "My brothers won't get shit done if they're busy watching these getting sucked into that pretty mouth.”

My cheeks burn. "What are you doing here?" I ask, watching them start to read the labels on the crates in the back of the store. Anything to get their attention away from me and my mouth.

"Looking for something," Boone tells me, his dark eyes fixed on my legs in the shorts I wear. I'm surprised my mom let me out of the house in this outfit. It's tight and shows my curves in a way my mom wouldn't like.

Do the Redds like the way I look? I'm sure they're as curious about me, as I am about them.

"Found it!" a voice shouts.

"Don't drop it." Nico.

The sudden banging on the windows of the store freezes their movements. Mr. Gleeson gasps. "It's the sheriff." He goes pale.

Only one thing to do. I shuffle forward. "I suppose you have a truck in the back?"

"What of it?" Essex, the youngest, hisses and takes a step toward me.

Atilio holds out a hand. "Cut it out."

"If Mr. Gleeson doesn't open the front doors, the sheriff will drive around the back."

"She's right." Boone.

"Let me go out there with Mr. Gleeson and open up. I'll think of something to distract him. Just please don't leave until his car is gone." I wince. "My father will be furious if he finds out I helped you."

"We can't trust her!" Essex argues.

"I trusted you not to hurt me. I have no quarrel with you. Let me do this." I look at Atilio.

"Don't burn us," Atilio says.

"I won't." I look at each brother in turn, remembering which face goes with which name.

Mr. Gleeson takes my hand and pulls me through the store. "Are you sure, Beatrice?"

"You've always been kind to me, Mr. Gleeson, without asking for anything in return." I stop to wave to my uncle. "I'm doing this for you and them. They don't deserve the town treating them the way they do."

"Thank you." He slides the key into the lock. "If you ever need anything, come to me, okay?" He meets my gaze briefly.

I nod as my uncle bursts into the store. "Sheriff," Mr. Gleeson stutters. He sounds angry, and yes, my uncle notices.

"Uncle David," I rush forward and hug him. Something I haven’t done in a long time. I guess Mr. Gleeson isn't the only one acting strange. "I'm so glad to see you. I don't suppose you have a few minutes to give me a ride home. It's so hot out, and my mother wants some fresh, cold milk.”

Shut up, Beatrice!

“Why was the door locked?"

"Oh, I was helping Mr. Gleeson lift some boxes in the back, and he's alone in here today. We're done now." I smile. "A ride home, please?"

He's quiet and looks between us. "Get the milk."

"Thanks!" I say happily and run to get another carton of milk. I can't even remember what happened to the one I was holding when Atilio grabbed me.

As I get another, I look behind me and see Essex watching me. I'm not sure what to make of him.

"Beatrice!” Uncle David calls. “I haven't got all day?" His voice comes closer as Essex fades from view.

"Got it." I turn down the aisle and find Uncle David coming toward me with a panicked Mr. Gleeson trailing behind. "It was nice to see you again, Mr. Gleeson, I'll make sure to stop by more often."

Uncle David grunts and puts a strong hand on my shoulder. "You don't need to shop here anymore, Beatrice." He leads me out of the store and shoves me into the back of his patrol car. My heart races as the door slams shut. I tell myself I can survive this short ride.

I'm helping the Redds get out of town. I'm doing something rebellious. A first. My father will not be happy when he finds out. He won't be happy if anyone tells him what I wore into town either.

Uncle David gets behind the wheel and gives me a long look through the rearview mirror. His eyes make me want to squirm, but I don't. I can't go anywhere anyway.

Instead of heading home, he stops in front of the sheriff's office. I frown. "Why did we stop?"

"I work here. Enjoy the scenery. I'll be back...eventually." He climbs out and enters the office without looking back.

What! The! Hell!

I reach forward and slam the gate between the front and back of the car. I lean back in the seat and kick the door. I can't believe this is happening. My heart is racing as I realize I may be in more trouble than I thought. I must get out of here. Not only am I scared, but it's so hot. The air is stifling. In a panic, my hands slide along the inside of the door, trying to find a way out. I shout in frustration, then scream in terror as a hooded figure appears at the window. I put a hand over my mouth to muffle the scream.

The door opens. “Essex?” I mutter.

He glares. "Go! Now!"

I scuttle out of the car, dragging the stupid milk with me. I don't hang around to find out where Essex went. I crouch down and sneak past the sheriff's office, then dash along the street.

There will be so much trouble when Uncle David finds me gone. I hope no one saw Essex free me.

Sweat soaks my clothes as I run through my yard. My face is flushed, and I feel overheated. Entering the house through the kitchen door, I drop to my knees and roll onto my back. Panting, I give Evelyn—our maid—a thumbs up so she knows I'm okay. I'm in doubt, mind you, because my heart is pounding in my chest.

"What on earth happened, Beatrice? Have you been running in this heat?"

Tears fall. "Uncle David locked me in the back of his police car. I couldn't get out. He left me there." I cry, not caring if Evelyn sees me.

"Oh, dear." She walks away and I hear the faucet turn on and a few seconds later turn off. She crouches down beside me and presses a cold, wet towel over my eyes and forehead. "Calm down and you'll cool off faster."

"I feel like such a baby."

“You are not. What your uncle did was cruel. He knows that confinement in small spaces scares you."

"He parked in front of the sheriff's office." I sit up and move so I'm leaning against a cabinet. "He left me there. It was so hot, and the air conditioning was off. I couldn't get out, Evelyn."

"He obviously came back and set you free."

I shake my head slowly, my eyes holding Evelyn's. "He doesn't know I'm gone yet. At least I don't think he does."

She frowns. "Then?—”

I lean forward and put a hand over her mouth. I whisper, "Essex Redd showed up and opened the door."

Her eyes go wide. "Are you sure it was him? I can't tell the younger boys apart."

“I’m sure it was." Wasn't it? He didn't look like someone who would help me. He'd rather stand there and watch me suffer.

"You mustn't mention his name to your parents. I'm not only thinking of him, but also of you."

"Don't worry, I won't mention the Redds at all."

"Good, now why don't you clean up while I pour you an iced tea."

"I'd like that, Evelyn."

As I get to my feet, the older woman pulls me into her arms. "At least you haven't seen the other boys in town. Your daddy would go crazy."

I flinch, which she catches. "I can't tell you. I promised."

"Beatrice, I fear for you if anyone finds out."

"It's okay." I put my arms around her. "I won't see them again, so don't worry.