September Doves (Jackals and Vipers Duet #1)

by Emmerson Hoyt

The man, not much older than me, has an open-mouthed viper tattooed on his hand that looks ready to strike. My mind instantly conjures up an image of the tattooed stranger from yesterday.

“Colt, is it?” I say, stepping forward. “I don’t know where you get off thinking I need someone to babysit me, but I sure as shit don’t need you or that attitude.”

“Colt doesn’t trust easily and right now you’re an unknown. With everything that’s going on and what happened to Jeremy, he’s feeling a little overprotective.”

“Just give him a chance. He’ll come around. I promise.”

Why does the Lord put such horrible things in such nice-looking packages?

That’s it. Someone needs to put this man-child in his place. A leisurely smile slinks over my lips as I let the tray with his breakfast teeter and then tip.

something about being physically near someone but unable to connect that is more isolating than actually being alone.

“It’s crazy how a single flower can represent the sun, good energy, and new beginnings while also symbolizing death, despair, and endings.”

What I don’t finish saying is that the tattoo is for my mom and for Jeremy. It’s to remind me that someone can experience life and death, joy and grief, and still be beautiful and bright. That, like the truck full of marigolds that overturned, I can find a new home and thrive. Like this little flower, I am strong.

“You fit in here, with us.”

Colton must sense my panic because slowly he slides his hand from my mouth down to my neck. Oh fuck. A hand necklace? Jesus, that’s even hotter. Blood rushes to my cheeks and lower belly. I inhale sharply, which only makes his hand tighten around my throat.

“That’s not the reaction I expected with my hand wrapped around your neck, Tiger.”

“I want to spend every minute with that man in any way that he’ll have me. Especially if a minute is all we get.”

“So, you’ve lied to the sheriff, you partied with the townies, and now you’re at my bar? You trying to make a life here, Tiger? Or just trying to weasel your way into mine?”

“How many of those have you had?” “Just the one.” I lift an eyebrow. “Why?” “I want to make sure you have a clear head when I ask you to leave with me later.” “Wh-what?” I can’t breathe, and now my heart is threatening to beat through my chest. “You heard me.” He leans in closer, his lips brushing against my ear. “I haven’t stopped thinking about you since that night at the rest stop. All that strength. All that fire. Your brazen, idiotic disregard for your own safety when you risked pissing off a dangerous stranger because you thought someone was in trouble and needed your help. I thought I could ignore this feeling. I thought I could ignore you. But I can’t.”

“I want you to fuck me, Colton Archer.”

“I don’t give a single fuck what you’re doing. I’m telling you the seat next to her is mine. Move.”

“Colt lost both of his parents that day.” “Fuck,” I say, my throat going dry. “I sometimes forget that you don’t know.” He squints and pushes out a heavy sigh. “After the collapse, Colton was alone in his house for nearly three weeks waiting for his parents to come home. He was six.”

draws circles on my inner thigh with his middle finger. I don’t think he’s aware he’s doing it, but the stolen touches have me struggling to keep my composure.

“Oh fuck. I scared you, didn’t I? Listen, I know it’s early, but I want to make this work. I want you to go after your goals, and I want to be there when you reach them. For the first time in my life, I want something for myself. Not for Jack or the club, but for me. I’m not going to let a little distance come between us, Tiger.”

“I’m going to need you to come again, this time while I’m buried inside you. Can you do that for me, Tiger? Can you come on my cock?”

“How did I ever think once would be enough?”

Being around Colton is grounding, like I’m not functioning at my best unless he’s close. It should scare me, but instead it bolsters me and makes me feel like I could take on the world.

“September Doves,” I whisper. Colt looks down and leans in like he might kiss me. “We have to protect them, right?”

“You’re incredible, you know that? Never in my life did I think I’d find someone like you. Someone passionate, strong, and generous. Someone so beautiful and fierce.”

I’m coming to learn that sometimes a found family is even better than the ones we’re assigned at birth.

How is a man who’s lost so much able to give and love so freely?

I clasp a perfectly preserved marigold encased in clear resin. As if frozen in time, the elegant bloom is the brightest yellow-orange flower I’ve ever seen.

I love this man. I love Colton Archer.

So don’t tell me who I can and can’t protect, Colton Archer. My life and my safety aren’t any more important than yours or anyone else’s.”

“I can’t blame her. Had the tables been turned, I would have picked her, too. That’s how fucking deep I am in this shit, man.” He snorts. “I’m still going with her when she leaves. What are you and Jack going to do, kick me out? Burn the Jackal mark off my neck and back? Good fucking luck trying to find someone else to do what I do.” He pauses. “And another thing—”

“It was just a test. We can be together. Your choice shows that you are willing to put aside your own happiness for the good of others. You’re a true Jackal. You’re fucking perfect, and I don’t deserve you. And of course, I love you. I’m in love with you. Have been for a while, I think.” He wipes away my tears with his thumbs.

“I’ll be fine. And Tiger?” He pauses. “I love you.”

“You still don’t get it, do you? Do you really think I came all this way for you? Did you think you were special? That I actually wanted to be with you?” Logan grabs Holly by her hair and yanks back, exposing her throat. “I came here for this stupid bitch.”