“No. You boys want to make a fuss about ridiculous things, you want to endanger your life over a stupid coat. Well, then, I think I want to do it just for funsies.” I pushed the call button on my steering wheel, already set to Cosmo’s phone, and he answered in his cool clipped voice.
“Ray.”
I kept my voice pleasant and nonthreatening, almost on the sweet side. “We will meet you there. These two need to learn a well-deserved lesson.”
“Understood.” His usual non-caring tone held a note of pleasure, and I could feel his smile through the speaker.
Rick was in the background being the opposite, calling out with glee. “Oh, shit! She sounds piiissssed!” I clicked the phone off and took a sharp turn, and the boys slammed into the right side of the car.
1“Hold on, this is about to get bumpy.” When I realized they didn’t have their seat belts on, I pressed on the brakes, making them jerk forward and groan out, before I picked back up again, accelerating my car down the street. “Oh, and I would suggest seat belts.”
They scrambled to get their belts buckled as Avery called out, “Okay, Rayla, I understand that you might be a little upset at my accusation, but—”
“Oh, little. You think this isa littleupset?” I slammed my foot on the gas, swerving through the cars like I was a race car driver and it was the last lap with me in the lead. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”
I made it onto the freeway, sailing like I owned the damn thing while Avery clutched onto Ax’s headrest while trying to get through to me. “Look, I know that what I said was a little uncalled for—”
“Oh, really? Do you think I want mycurrent lovertrying to accuse me of having so many men in and out of my life that I would simply either forget, or not care about offering something to them that was previously owned by one of those carousel of men I entertained?” He winced at that, about to say something, but I cut him off. “On top of that, this man chose to confront me while I was driving, causing me to make a mistake that could’ve really harmed either of you! You’re in my car, I’m the one driving, which means you’re in my fucking care!”
“Ray, I thin—” Ax tried to butt in, but I wouldn’t have it. I wanted them to understand a few things.
“No. You’re not thinking. Or you’re just not thinking with your brain.” My chest heaved as I grew excited, the thrill of danger filled the car fast as they exchanged panicked looks. “I am a woman that has enjoyed my fair share of men, and I will not be penalized by any of you because of my past. Both of you have been known for your man hoe ways, your fathers”—I glared at Ax, then turned my attention to Avery through the rearview mirror—“have both mentioned to me your sordid pasts and the types of women you enjoy in your beds, but have I brought them up even once!” Almost at the same time, both of them stopped looking panicked and focused on me, not my driving.
“I have never done that to you, and I never will because I’m not fucking perfect,” I yelled that bit out too harshly, and I took an exhausted breath before I let out the rest a little calmer. “But neither are you two.” I could feel their undivided attention on me. “The three of us are kinda like a band of sluts, using sex to get out of feeling too much, getting too close, and being let down too fast, yet escaping the loneliness of this life. I get it. I understand.”
I kept my speed over 120 mph, but loosened my death grip on the wheel as my raging, white-hot anger simmered as I neared my destination. “So I would like the same fucking courtesy from you guys.” I huffed, letting out the rest before we got to the punishment part. “I also would never give you another man’s clothing. That’s gross and disrespectful. I was really pissed that you even thought I would do that. You guys are not like one of my pets for me, you guys are automatically at my level, which puts you leaps and bounds ahead of any other men, but if having sex with you guys is going to cause more situations like this, then we should just end it now. The Syndicate comes first, you hear me?”
No one said anything, but they didn’t have to. I put it all out there, let them know what my hard line was and that I would not be putting up with shit like this again. “Now, for your punishment.”
“What—” they started, but I veered off to the side where an exit ramp missing its center was being built. I kicked it into high gear as I slammed my foot on the gas and smashed my way through the plastic traffic barricade.
“Ray! What are you doing!” Avery’s panicked scream lit an excited fire in me as I grinned.
I turned on my psycho happiness, the pure bliss I felt when I didn’t know if it would work out. A million things could go wrong, but if I made it, I knew my heart would pound so hard I couldn’t deny I was alive. I was here. That I was to keep going, keep pushing the boundaries.
I gazed at both men, laughing my head off as Ax screamed, “Rayla!”
I gave them one last warning as the edge raced toward us. “I would brace yourselves!” They scrambled to grab whatever they could hold onto as I pushed us past the edge.
My car was in the air, flying for a moment. Everything was at a standstill; the joy I was feeling, their fear, the car suspended in the air. In that moment, I felt the blissful joy of letting go. I let go of all my responsibilities, all my worries, all my thoughts and feelings. I let it all go and just lived in that moment, free.
That all came crashing down as the tires hit the other side as I gripped the wheel to take control, and the smell of burning rubber permeated the air as my back tires barely made it over. Excitement flooded my body, and the adrenaline coursed through my veins as the thought that I made it kept circling my mind.
I quickly adjusted, letting the car slow gradually before I made a left turn across the bridge and went onto the on ramp on the other side, cruising our way back home.
“Oh, my fucking God. I think I saw my life flash before my eyes.” Avery clutched at his chest, breathing hard as he sat back against the leather seats.
Ax was breathing through his nose. I assumed trying to regulate his breathing, but the pulse on his neck throbbed against his slick and sweaty skin. He nodded. “Yep. I think that shaved off a few years for me.”
I laughed again because everything had now been forgiven. They say all good relationships need to communicate and understand consequences, and I think they learned how Rayla Desmond handles arguments.
“Now we can put that messy business behind us, ’kay?” They both turned their heads slowly, looking at me like I had a few screws loose, but when they saw that only made me smile wider, they busted out laughing.
“I’m guessing a life with you will never be boring, Fierce Girl.”
I pretended to adjust the mirror as I looked at him and winked. “Oh, most definitely not. If you wanted a nice quiet life where you could stand and argue like normal people, I would suggest you back out now. Being with me is not for the faint of heart.”
Ax grabbed my hand, lifted it to his lips, and landed a light yet sensual kiss on my knuckles before running his teeth against them. “I’m looking forward to a little danger in my life.”
