I suck in my lips and nod before I answer, aware of who the “them” are in his statement. “I do.”
“Jester says you expect to be there when it happens.” He eyes me with a healthy dose of cynicism.
My thoughts shift to what I want to do to the cowards who hurt me. The ugly in my head is a contrast to the beauty surrounding us. “Theyenjoyedwhat they did. They deserve to die.”
“Wanting someone dead and being the one to do the killing are two different things, Faith.”
I notch my chin and stare him down. “We raised each other, remember? I’m fucked in the head, same as you. I just hide it better.”
“Are you?”
“Why do you think I came home?” I pick up another rock and toss it in the water. “Brighton was torturous for me. I don’t belong anywhere else but here.”
“And you’re good staying with Jester?”
I hesitate for a fraction of a second, and he pounces.
“That’s what I thought. Go pack your shit. You’re coming with me.”
“What? No.” Stunned, I spin around. “I like it here—” The rest of my sentence dies a bitter death in my mouth when I see Jester standing next to Havoc. His whole smug boy-next-door-gone-bad thing draws me to him even when sound judgment tells me to run in the opposite direction. I flip off Havoc. “You’re a jerkoff.”
He shrugs one shoulder, not even the slightest bit apologetic. “Yeah, but I’m still your best friend.”
“I take it back. Besides, Kerri took your place years ago.”
“Maybe.” Havoc strides over to me and leans in close to my ear. His words are a harsh whisper. “But you’ve always been mine.”
My heart slams in my chest at his admission. Even as a kid, Havoc never wasted words. If he speaks something, it’s true, and this truth is difficult to digest. We haven’t seen each other in years. Not to mention, a perk of being an Unholy is that their bond runs deeper than blood. But I’m still his best friend?
To say I’m humbled is an understatement—even though I’m furious at him right now for setting me up.
Jester shoves Havoc away. “Stop contaminating her.” He’s a force of nature who grabs my shoulders, sending a fission of electricity skidding down my spine. His fingers bite into me, and when he presses his body against mine, his erection rubs against my back. “So, you want to stay with me, huh?”
I roll my eyes. “You’re going to be impossible to live with now, aren’t you?”
He kisses the top of my head. “I’m sure we’ll find a way for you to suffer through it.”
I elbow him to push him away, but the big bully doesn’t budge. Instead, he grips me tighter and does this little thrust thing with his hips that sparks the sweetest flutter in my core. Makes me ache for his touch because he’s the only one who can make my body come alive.
“Don’t get too cocky,” I snap. “I’m here because you’re a good cook.”
Why did I almost saygood cock?
Because he has a mighty fine one of those, too.
Get your head out of the gutter.
Actually, it’s in Jester’s pants.
Well, get it out of there.
Oh, Lord. I’m talking to myself again.
Jester releases his hold on me. “Sure, Fizzle.” He gives Havoc an exaggerated wink. “But we both know it’s because you like sleeping next to me.”
I mean, he’s not wrong, but I’ll be damned if I admit it out loud. “Whatever.”
He glances at his wrist as if there’s an imaginary watch wrapped around it. “Dude, isn’t it time for you to go do that thing?”
