The Renters

By L.E. Martin

Something evil is trying to take over the town of Alexandrite and Noel Blythe refuses to go down without a fight. They’ve already taken enough away from her. And when she discovers they are targeting those with special characteristics and she happens to be one of them it solidifies her resolve.

After a quarrel with his brother over joining the group wreaking havoc on his town, Jace Simone runs into Noel at a local bar. The two of them share a passionate night but as conditions worsen will they be able to find a way to stop the evil taking over so they can save their town and be together?

**Possible Triggers: some content may be considered sensitive **

• Language: English
• Publisher: L.E. Martin
• Release date: Jul 31, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005435349

L.E. Martin

L.E. Martin is currently working on adding more books to her Laying it Bare Series. She has a couple biker stories in the works and also a rock star one. Her next release is book one of a paranormal romance duet, which is releasing Oct. 15, 2022. There will also be another paranormal story following a side character from the Blood Covenant world releasing after book two of the duet.

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The Renters

By L.E. Martin

The Renters

Copyright © 2020 L.E. Martin

Cover Designed by Rose Bush

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embedded in reviews. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

For those who never give up, even when the battle is daunting

** Possible Triggers: Some content may be considered sensitive **

Chapter One

~Noel~

I tossed back the last of my Jack and Coke before setting my glass down on the bar. Hey, Leo. Can you get me another?

The hot bartender at Twisty’s – the only bar left now in our small town of Alexandrite – shot me a smirk before sauntering over to stand in front of me. Leaning his muscled forearms onto the bar, he locked me in his hazel gaze. You are going to have to pick up another shift here if you keep downing the drinks like that.

Reaching across the mahogany that separated the two of us, I brushed a few strands of his dark blond hair from his eyes. This is the highlight of my week. Drowning in alcohol. And you sound like my sister. She thinks getting wasted once a week is a bad idea too. But what else do we have to look forward to?

Noel. He put his hand to my cheek and rubbed his thumb lightly across the skin there. I know you are still grieving your parents and your brother, but you still have Anna. And you have me. He shot me a comforting smile.

And I’m thankful for that. But no chance to move ahead, make a difference, get out of this hell hole. Sighing, I dropped my head back.

Noel. Leo hissed my name through gritted teeth.

What more can they do to us? We can’t leave. No one new comes in. It’s been five years, Leo. Our home town used to be booming. We had shops everywhere; tourists would come to see our art exhibits; we had community days where everyone came together to socialize, play games, and eat great food. Now we have pretty much nothing. I lowered my voice. I really doubt there is danger outside that wall. They would have invaded us by now. You can’t tell me those soldiers guarding the gate are that invincible.

Promise me you’ll behave and be safe. Leo stared at me for a long moment. In his sorrowful gaze I picked up on the words he wasn’t saying. He didn’t want me to end up like my parents and younger brother. They had believed there was freedom on the other side of that wall too, and I wasn’t one hundred percent positive they hadn’t found it. But if they had, wouldn’t they have come back for Anna and me? Or sent someone else for us? Or were those guards keeping them from getting back in?

I have other customers to take care of. Will you be okay here? And if you want, after closing, I can hang out with you.

If I’m still here. I don’t know what I’m doing later.

Fair enough. I’ll get you that drink.

While Leo moved down to take care of a couple who had just walked in – and hopefully get me my drink – a dark haired guy sat down on the stool beside me.

I hope this seat isn’t saved for someone. His lips turned up on the one side as he studied me with his piercing blue eyes. I’m Jace. It’s nice to meet you.

I narrowed my own blue eyes at him, which in reality were violet but I hated standing out so wore contact lens to hide their true color. But before I could warn him I wasn’t into getting picked up, he continued.

Sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. You seemed like a friendly face and I really just wanted someone to hang out with tonight. My brother pissed me off today and my friends are siding with him. Jace twisted on the stool to leave.

I shot my arm out to halt his departure. It’s okay. Stay. I’m sorry. I’m on edge too. And I shouldn’t take that out on you. By the way, I’m Noel.

Leo came over to me and set down my drink. Are you okay?

Smiling, I reached into my pocket, pulled out some bills, and placed them onto the bar. I’m good. Thanks. I turned to Jace. What are you having?

Jace glanced between Leo and me. Whatever is on tap is good. Thanks.

Leo eyed Jace another moment before heading to the other end to the tap.

Boyfriend? Because if so, I’ll go sit somewhere else. I don’t want to start any trouble. I’ve had enough of it today.

No. Leo is a good friend and a coworker. I work here six days a week. Today is my day off, so I drink. Since nothing else took away my grief and frustration.

Why do you drink every day you are off?

Because I can’t drink when I’m working. I smirked.

But when Jace’s expression grew concerned, I realized I hadn’t quite nailed the nonchalance.

I won’t pry, but if you want to talk.

Leo hated when I bitched about the state of our town when I was out in public. He worried I was going to get myself into a heap of trouble. Leo and I had hooked up once, many months ago, but decided we were better off friends. So I got that he cared about me and I cared about him, but my frustration over the lack of answers and credible proof of what we were supposedly being protected from burned through me like acid.

Leo stopped in front of us with Jace’s beer and plopped it down. That will be four dollars. Then he looked at me. You still okay?

Thank you, Leo. I’m fine. And I’ll let you know about later. But I might just see you tomorrow for my shift. Right now, I think Jace and I are going to head to a booth in the back to get to know one another. I shot Leo a saucy grin I hoped he took to mean I was going to flirt, not stir up trouble.

Leo scrutinized my face for a moment before grabbing the money Jace had dropped onto the bar. As long as you’re okay. Then he focused his intense stare on Jace. And don’t even think about hurting her or I will find you.

Jace threw up his hands. Hey, I have no intention of doing anything to her. I just wanted to hang out with someone tonight and she seemed cool, my age, and is cute. Snatching his beer, Jace took a swig. I know you don’t know me so I understand you not believing me, but that’s the truth.

I’ll be fine, Leo. I blew him a kiss before grabbing my glass and hopping off of my stool. If you want to join me, Jace, I’m heading to the back. And Leo, you can check on me in between your other customers, if you want. Then I strolled toward the back of the bar and slid into a booth.

A moment later, Jace slipped in beside me. Are you sure Leo isn’t a boyfriend? Or wants to be?

No. I mean we slept together once, like six months ago, but he just worries about me. I tend to bitch about things that are out of our control and it troubles him. I dropped my voice to barely above a whisper. I smiled to myself – that should pacify Leo – right before a frown tugged down my lips. He’s afraid I might end up like my parents and younger brother if I don’t keep my comments and theories to myself.

Jace wrapped his arm around my shoulders. At first I tensed, but a split second later I relaxed into his touch. His contact wasn’t sexual, but instead comforting and sympathetic.

What happened to your family? He twisted his head and gazed down at me. Sitting down, Jace was a head taller than me so probably stood close to the same height as Leo, over six foot.

I regarded him with sad eyes. They snuck through the gate that leads out of town a little over a year ago and I was told they were killed by what is living on the other side.

He brushed a strand of my dark hair from my face. Are you alone now? I have my parents and an older brother, but he and I don’t see eye to eye on many things.

I still have my older sister so I’m not all alone. You’re lucky you still have your parents. I wish mine would’ve taken us with them.

But you would’ve been killed too. And this isn’t a cheap pick up line, but I wouldn’t have had the chance to meet you then.

I dropped my hushed tone even lower. "I don’t completely buy that my family was killed. I don’t think there is anything to fear out there. Sometimes I wonder if it’s what we have in here that we should fear. I shook my head. Sorry, you probably regret choosing me out of the room tonight. You probably think I’m talking crazy because of my grief. But I’m just someone who needs hard proof. And so far no one has produced any."

Jace twisted in his seat to face me. Hey, I’m not sorry I sought you out. He shrugged his shoulders. It’s actually a little encouraging to hear your thoughts. My brother supports this group and thinks they are doing us a great service. But I kinda agree with you. The only proof we have is the captain’s word and her few trusted minions. Pfft. The video footage that we’ve been shown, now come on. With technology today, anyone can alter and photo shop a video to make it look like they want. How difficult can it be to make a video of a deserted town or carnage left behind from creatures we’ve never seen? I’m not convinced either.

I barely paid attention to the fact he had doubts like me. Instead, I zeroed in on the detail that alluded to the fact he might have connections to help me gain my answers. Your brother knows the one in charge of these soldiers? I want to talk to her.

Jace stiffened beside me. "I don’t think that’s a good idea. I don’t trust her. If she even suspects you are questioning her, she might do something to you. I don’t want Leo hunting down my ass because I helped you get yourself killed."

I rolled my eyes. Great, another one of you who unnecessarily worries. Although it sounds to me like you’re just worrying about your own ass.

Jace took my face in his hands. I know I just met you, but I don’t want anything bad to happen to you. I don’t know what the truth is either, but I doubt it is a safe idea to go poking our noses into trying to discover it. My brother wasn’t very forthcoming with information. That’s what we were fighting about. He wants me to just accept things as they are and be content with being protected.

I released a huge sigh. You know I had big plans before this shit started. It was my senior year and I had plans to go away to school to become a biomedical engineer. I’m twenty two; my life should be really taking off. I had been saving up money working all through high school and had my sights set on Florida International University. Move to where it is warm all of the time. I would have missed my family but I miss them now anyway and have no one but my sister. And I could’ve come back to visit them but now I won’t ever see them again.

Jace stared at me for a long moment before pressing his lips to mine.

At first, I couldn’t respond since I had been taken off guard by his forwardness. But after he wrapped his hand around my nape and deepened the kiss, I got lost in the sensations of his mouth. Soft yet commanding. However, a couple of moments later, my brain fired at me, "kissing strangers, that’s what you’ve reduced yourself to?"

I pulled away and wiped my hand across my still tingling lips. But oh hell did that feel incredible. He had a pretty amazing mouth. What did you do that for?

He smirked at me. Was that out of line?

I couldn’t help the small smile crawling across my own lips. Depends on why you did it. I really hoped it wasn’t out of pity. I didn’t need any more of that shit.

Because you’re hot and freaking intelligent. You wanted to go into biomedical engineering. He let out a low whistle. So I wanted to taste hotness mixed in with genius.

I lifted my eyebrow at him. Another cheesy pick up line?

Did it work?

My smile grew even wider. I didn’t know what it was about him that drew me in. On the hot and sexy scale, he tipped it completely over and his eyes were beyond intoxicating. Add to that, he was friendly and seemed harmless. And he smelled incredible. His scent reminded me of a long walk in the forest, masculine, woodsy, and spicy. And I couldn’t get out of my head the fact he had connections to someone who held my answers. And sex could be pretty persuasive.

Where did these soldiers come from? They look like a bunch of college kids. And if she brought them here, why were they able to get in and no one else? And where did she come from? No one knows her from our town. I took a long swallow of my drink. It’s so frustrating that we just have to accept what is and not question the how and why. I want . . . no I need answers. And not just because it cost most of my family their lives but because it’s affecting my life too. And I can’t be the only person here who wants more. Who wants out. A few tears leaked out and trickled down my cheeks. I angrily swiped them away.

Hey, I’d say it’s okay, but even though I come up with good pickup lines, I don’t toss out bullshit. He took my face in his hands and pressed a kiss to my forehead. Do you want to get out of here? And I’m not using that to take you somewhere for sex. His blue eyes studied me, shifting from amused to concerned and back to amused again. Unless that option is on the table because I would no way in hell turn that down. He gave me a lopsided grin.

His charm was alluring and I couldn’t resist. Sex with an enticing and captivating guy beckoned me. Besides, maybe I could sneak in some questions while he was distracted.

I really like that idea. I finished off my drink.

He winked at me before polishing off most of his beer. Then he grabbed my hand and tugged me out of the booth.

On our way toward the door, I paused at the bar.

Leo crossed his arms over his chest and stared at me. Leaving so soon?

We’re going to hang out for a little at my place. I’ll be fine.

I’ll stop by after the bar closes to check on you. He shot Jace a warning glare.

Not necessary but you can do as you like. I’ll see you tomorrow for my shift. I gave Leo a little wave.

Hands still interlocked, Jace led me out into the night.

Once outside, I tugged him to the left, in the direction of my little apartment.

Are you sure Leo is just a friend?

Yeah. But since my parents died he’s been even more protective of me. But he’s more concerned about my mouth getting me into trouble than the fact there’s a good chance I will be having sex with you.

Jace grinned down at me. You know your mouth could get you into trouble even without speaking. He waggled his eyebrows at me.

That’s what I’m counting on. And I’m hoping your mouth does some terrible things too. I pulled him to a stop outside a tiny run down building that resembled a small town pawn shop. It’s not much but it’s home sweet home to me and my sister.

Um, I’m not looking for excuses not to hook up tonight but I’ll feel kinda weird if your sister is home.

So, not an exhibitionist. Tapping my bottom lip, I pretended to ponder that discovery. That’s okay. Neither am I; I’m just teasing you. She goes to bed early and sleeps through just about anything. Still want to come in? I batted my eyelashes at him, hoping he’d find me irresistible instead of a dork. Even though I had a hidden agenda, I was really looking forward to sex with him. I hadn’t been intimate with a guy since Leo and craved his touch.

Oh I definitely want to come in. I’ll just pretend she isn’t home. So I guess no fucking against the front door.

Fumbling with my key, I somehow managed to unlock the door and let us both inside. His words had my pussy rumbling to life. I think I made a great decision bringing you home with me. I haven’t had sex in a while and right now you have my lady parts rejoicing. I hope that’s not a turn off.

Jace wrapped an arm around my waist and tugged me into his chest. I don’t know that you could do anything to turn me off. Lead me to your bedroom and I’ll give you a ton of orgasms to make up for lost time and then fuck you into tomorrow. How does that sound?

I was convinced he already kick started an orgasm from merely his words. I think that sounds perfect. After walking through a small kitchen and living room combo, I led him down a short hallway, past my sister’s room and a tiny bathroom, to the last door on the right. You already made my panties damp. I opened the door and we stepped inside. It’s really like the size of a closet but I don’t have much so it’s okay. Not much at all: a double bed, a little dresser, and a closet the size of a doorway.

Breaking me from my thoughts, Jace tackled me and tumbled the two of us onto my bed.

I let out a surprised squeak and then giggled softly.

His intense blue eyes gazed into mine. I have no need for a big room. And any size flat surface will be perfect because I don’t intend to fall asleep beside you but plan to be all over you. The tender kiss he placed on my cheek clashed wildly with the burning lust brewing in his eyes. Are you sure about this? We could just talk or hang out. I want nothing more than to get at this gorgeous body of yours but I know we just met and I don’t want to push you into something.

I did want to talk – I had about a hundred questions for him – but right now he had my nerve endings on fire and my core was pleading with me to beg him to do something with his hands or mouth or dick. I wasn’t picky. Any of the three were sure to send me into orbit. So sex first, inquiries later. I want this. Your hands, your mouth, your dick, something, please.

He smirked. You’ll get all of them. All you have to do is ask. He smashed his mouth onto mine and tunneled his fingers into my hair. His tongue ran across the seam of my lips and I immediately opened to him. Then he pushed his tongue inside and massaged mine for a moment before devouring my mouth.

I moaned. He was going to make me come just by kissing me. The tingles that had started earlier were ramping up and little bolts of pleasure were shooting down to my core.

You taste like Jack Daniels and Coke but I want to find out what your real taste is. His mouth traveled along my jaw to a sensitive spot behind my ear. He gave me little love bites and then soothed them with his tongue. Hmm, you are tasty but I wonder if elsewhere tastes even better.

I dug my hands into his dark hair, loving how the silky strands curled at the ends along his shoulders. You’re going to make me explode and you haven’t even done anything yet. He hadn’t even touched anywhere not covered by clothing and I wanted to combust.

He shot me a cocky grin. Sweetheart, I’m going to set you off like a fireworks display and when I finally slip inside of you you’re going to be so on fire you’re going to shatter again.

I’m so glad you sat down beside me tonight.

He dragged my tight purple t-shirt up over my head and tossed it to the floor. You have the most beautiful pale skin I have ever seen. He skimmed his hands up my stomach