A quiet, dangerous resolve.
If Jonas Greene wants me, he’ll have to tear me from the Kings’ hands.From Riot’s hands.
The hallway opens into a secured living area, simple, but stable-looking.A small couch.A cot-style bed.A sturdy metal table.No windows.No weak points.
“This is where you two will stay until we move,” Chux commands, swiping a card to unlock the room.
Riot stiffens.“We’re not stayin’.I’m headin’ out with the boys.”
Chux stops.Turns.
His expression is calm, too calm.“Not tonight.”
“This shit is personal.He wants to fuck with me and he used my woman to do it.Unacceptable.”
“She’s not stayin’ here without you.”Chux counters and I fight back the smile that wants to form that he said it so I didn’t have to.
Riot stiffens visibly.
Chux holds up one hand, patience thinning.“She isn’t gonna want to stay without you.Keep the shit simple, brother.You’re staying with her.”Chux doesn’t leave it there, he continues, “You’re emotionally compromised,” Chux states plainly.“And she needs you more than we need your fists tonight.Let the Kings hunt.You protect her.”
Riot opens his mouth.Closes it.Opens it again.
No sound comes out.He hates being benched.It burns through him like acid.But he also can’t walk away from me.Not now.Not after tonight.Not after I remembered part of us.Not after nearly losing me again.
He settles for a single curt nod.
Chux steps in close, lowering his voice.“We finish this, Riot.You have my word.”
Riot nods again, smaller this time.
Then Chux gives me a soft smile.“We’ll get you answers, Kelly.”
I nod, breath tight as I feel my anxiety climbing.“Thank you.”
Chux and the others file out slowly, one by one, until the heavy metal door seals shut with a low hydraulic hiss.The room suddenly feels too quiet.
Too intimate.
Too full of whatever Riot and I haven’t said yet.
He stands a few feet away from me, shoulders tight, jaw clenched, blood drying near his temple and across his knuckles.He looks like every battle I’ve ever imagined a man fighting.And he looks at me like I’m the one thing he hasn’t figured out how to protect properly.
“You hurt anywhere?”he asks finally.
I shake my head.
“You’re shakin’,” he murmurs.
“So are you.”
He lets out a humorless huff.“Yeah.Well.Comes with the job description.”
“You almost died,” I whisper.
He doesn’t flinch.
“You almost watched me die,” he counters.“Again.”
