Surrounded by Secrets Read Online Free PDF Page A

them to fuck like animals.
    And he’d bit her.
    “Josh!” He pounded on the door again.
    It swung open, and Josh stood there looking disheveled. “What?”
    “We need to talk. Now.”
    “Too bad. I came by your place after breakfast, but you were gone. I’ve already worked several hours this morning, and Mikaela kept me up all night with her tossing and turning. She doesn’t sleep. I don’t sleep. I need a nap, dammit.”
    “It’ll have to wait.”
    Jack grabbed his brother’s arm and pulled him outside. Jack pulled the door shut just before he was yanked away from the house.
    “Jesus, Jack. I need that arm.”
    Jack let go of him and kept on walking toward the trees.
    “This is far enough, bro. Now what was able to wait last night but can’t wait this morning?”
    Jack turned around to face him, but stumbled back the last few steps so his body could collapse against the nearest tree.
    “Not the same thing. That can wait. I fucked up, man. I fucked up big.”
    Josh’s scowl eased away and was replaced with a look of concern. “Did something happen with Lillian?”
    “You could say that.”
    “I did say that, Jack. What happened?”
    “We got drunk.” Smashed was more like it. “And had sex.”
    “Oookay. I take it that wasn’t a good thing by how you’re acting.”
    “Oh, the sex was off the charts from what I remember.” Jack leaned over, resting his elbows above his knees.
    “Then what’s the problem? Do you think she didn’t want to do it?”
    “Oh, she wanted it. I’m beginning to think fucking me was her idea for the night anyway.”
    Jack knew he wasn’t making much sense, but he was freaking out. And hungover. A bad combination for trying to think and speak clearly.
    Josh shook his head. “What are you not telling me?”
    Jack looked at his older brother. He couldn’t say it. Not out loud. “I mated with her.”
    “How?” Josh growled.
    “I bit her while we were fucking, Josh. How do you think? Was it different for you and Mikaela, because that’s the only way I know how to do it.”
    “Holy shit, Jack. How did you manage to get away from her?”
    Jack laughed humorlessly as he stood up. “We were hammered. I’m surprised I was able to even get it up much less fight after. The details are sketchy, but I was still half buried in her when I woke up early this morning. I was still either too drunk or too hungover to register much more than that, so I pulled out, snuggled against her, and went right back to sleep. Based on that, I think we passed out right after.”
    Josh nodded. “Okay. So how did she take the news? Apparently not too bad. You’re still walking.”
    “She doesn’t know.”
    “Hooo! That’s rich.” Josh chuckled. “You can’t keep something like this from her. She’s your mate.”
    “That’s a fucking technicality!”
    “One you have to live with, I’m afraid. Assuming she doesn’t attack your ass as soon as you tell her.”
    “I can’t think about that right now.” Jack shook his head as he kicked at the leaves on the ground. This was a clusterfuck of epic proportions.
    “You have to, you know. You have to tell her. She can’t go back home until she understands, and she can’t live here and be surrounded by secrets. She has to know the truth. She’s a part of this life now whether you like it or not.”
    “I know. I know. God, I know. I just can’t believe I did something so fucking careless. Why didn’t Ariel’s meds stop me from claiming her?”
    Josh shrugged. “You didn’t attack her. Maybe the alcohol limited the effects of the medication or you were both too inebriated to be responsible about anything. You’re a walking PSA, my man.”
    “Shut up,” Jack said through gritted teeth.
    Josh’s chuckle died as he stepped closer to Jack. He clapped his brother on his shoulder. “Why you were able to claim her doesn’t matter now. You need to focus on making this right. However you can.”
    Jack sighed. “I have to go talk to