“This is war,” Kennedy declares while others nod their heads.
“Will you scope them out for me?” I turn to ask Laith. He looks thoughtful as he mulls over everything that’s been said, the hostility bleeding from his features. “I would like my sister back here before the real fighting breaks out. Maybe we can sway her back to our side.” The brothers murmur their agreement, probably feeling the lingering loyalty to Vic. They would rather have her here with us than in our enemies’ hands.
Little do they know, those words will be the first of my many lies.
The bottle of tequila slides across the dining table and stops precariously in front of me, the amber liquid sloshing against the glass in torrent waves. I blink quickly to steady my vision then look up at the others sitting around my kitchen table.
Ajani is sitting on the opposite end next to Delia, his arm stretched behind her, and his head tipped back as he laughs at Genevieve who is sitting to his left in Malik’s lap, eating and moaning over the last of the pastries Delia bought earlier in the day. After Hell today, we felt volatile, and I could see Malik teetering on the edge of violence, nearly slipping toward murderous. So I suggested we get fucked-up with the bottle of tequila I took from Rockz’s bar.
“Diego,” Genevieve slurs from Malik’s lap, her body falling forward and her hands catching the descent on top of the table. “It’s time for a truth from you. Who did you lose your virginity to?”
We’re not playing Truth or Dare because Malik is too unpredictable, so we’re playing One Truth and a Shot at Delia’s request.
“It was prom night.” I feel my cheeks heat with the most predictable virginity-losing scenario. “Her name was Jocelyn and she was my high school sweetheart.”
“I hate her,” Genevieve growls out, causing me to chuckle as I bring the bottle to my lips. “Jocelyn, that name sounds so sophisticated. What happened, Diego? Why didn’t you marry Jocelyn?” Her voice turns mocking as Malik laughs heartily.
“She didn’t want to be with a biker.” I give her a shrug after taking a swig of the tequila. “I don’t blame her, this isn’t the life I would force on anyone.”
“Sounds like you missed out on a wholesome life, brother,” Malik says as he buries his face into Genevieve’s neck. I bet she smells fucking sensational, and I’ll make sure to find out as soon as he’s had his fill.
I push the bottle toward him and chuckle when his hand shoots out to stop it, all while he remains stuffed against Genevieve’s neck. “Your turn, brother,” I announce with a snicker. “Tell me who took your virginity.”
“That was a quick fumble in the dark at a house party in high school.” He shrugs and lifts his head from Genevieve’s neck to grab the bottle. “I don’t even remember her name.”
He goes to take a shot but Genevieve stops him by slapping a hand over his mouth. “That’s boring, tell us something else. Tell us about an ex.” She bleeds frustration into her tone, giving him an exaggerated eye roll.
Malik pulls her hand from his mouth, giving it a quick kiss before he says, “I’ve only ever really had three, but honestly even then, I wouldn’t say they were exes, just girls who put up with me longer than the rest.”
“I need to hear about them,” Delia says with a slow nod, her fifth shot working its way through her. Her eyes are hooded and her cheeks are rosy.
“Yes, Malik,” Genevieve sneers playfully as she shifts in his lap to look him in the eye. “Let’s hear about these exes.”
“V, you’re so drunk,” Delia chuckles.
“First there was Polly, she was so smart and every time we had sex, I imagined fucking her sexy brain filled with words over five syllables long. Then there was Kayla, she was smoking hot with an accent, I think it was Australian…”
Genevieve grabs up the bottle and takes a swig as Malik contemplates the accent of his ex, having no idea of the irritation coloring her features.
“Don’t wanna hear anymore,” she says as she runs her arm across her mouth, collecting the droplets of tequila sitting on her lush lips.
“Wait!” Malik exclaims. “I didn’t get to Rebecca.”
“Brother,” Ajani warns, though laughing nonetheless. “Stop while you’re ahead.”
“What about her?” Genevieve asks with another roll of her eyes, the tone of her voice void of any humor. Malik is on his way to being neutered and the fucker doesn’t even realize it.
“She was this hot Italian babe with perfect tits—”
“I hate you,” Genevieve cuts him off and shoves up from his lap.
Malik laughs as she clumsily makes her way around the table and works her way onto my lap, straddling me and wrapping her arms around my neck.
“Hey, baby,” I murmur as I wrap my arms around her waist. “You smell good.” I press my nose against her throat, inhaling her sweet, fruity scent. Now I understand why Malik was so distracted.
“Are you jealous, Malik?” I hear my sister ask with a teasing tone to her voice.
“Nope,” he answers. “We’ll just tag team her later and remind her who owns that pussy.”
