She’s an enigma.
She presents herself like such a hard-ass. Confident, elusive, miffed. That’s intoxicating. But it’s only part of the siren song drawing me in. There’s something fragile beneath that tough shell she dons. I want to crack it from the inside out.
This is why I’ve steered clear of her. That girl makes me fucking nuts.
And all of it spells trouble. She’s Mercy’s best friend, my employee, and we are unfortunately bound by a very fucked-up night that could get us both killed. She’s not a girl I can screw around with and walk away. And I don’t do relationships, so …
Me: Mind-blowing is more fitting.
Her reply takes a good minute, and the whole earth holds its breath while I wait.
Tessa: Ooh, that should sell it. I’ll let my date know that whatever I do, you do. He might be into that.
I chuckle under my breath because I waltzed right into that one willingly. She’s probably celebrating her delivery, which is kind of cute. That thought lasts about ten seconds. Then a prickle of dread slithers down my spine.
Is she referring to the ex she mentioned to Mercy? Or a different guy? It shouldn’t matter either way. That’s not whatthis is, and yet I am suddenly enraged at the thought of anyone touching her.
“You fucking disappeared again.” It’s Ryker barking this time, his dark brows furrowed in a vexed scowl.
I flip my phone over and sip my untouched whiskey, leering at him over the rim. “I didn’t disappear. I was tending to my responsibilities. An employee reached out.”
Cash slants his head, concealing his lopsided smile with his index finger. “To you personally? Isn’t that what Brasi is for?”
This motherfucker.
A huff flies out of my lungs, which catches their attention. I’m not a huffer. I don’t get exasperated. That’s Ryker and Axel’s territory. I’m the fun one, the spontaneous and unpredictable one. But my veins are on fire at the thought of Tessa with someone. And now I’m fucking sweating. And itchy. Maybe I have an aneurysm. Is thirty-two too young for that? That bizarre concern does not explain what spills out of me.
“What are the rumors about me?”
“Who the fuck cares?” Ryker glares, spinning in his chair so he’s more fully facing me. “People say all kinds of shit about us. What the hell is going on with you, Mad?”
That’s a valid question. I’m spiraling.
“I’ve got a lot of shit on my plate. That’s all.” It’s not a lie. I do have too much going on right now. But I can’t share most of it, so that won’t line up for them.
My need to protect Tessa and the fallout lurking in the distance are on top of an already-overflowing plate. That’s all this is. Tessa fucking with me has nothing to do with it. As if my subconscious is determined to refute that, an image of her with some faceless guy flashes in my mind, and I flinch.
Jax raps his fingers on the table, his other hand toying with one of his gauge piercings as he formulates his observation. “You’re sweating, man.”
Sliding my chair out, I wipe the perspiration off my forehead as they all gape at me. “The hot wings I had for lunch must not be sitting right. Email me anything you need or tell me tomorrow at family dinner.”
Without giving them a chance to stop me, I dash for the door, beelining for the privacy of my own room. And because I need to even the playing field, I send Tessa a text that will level things.
Me: Hunter isn’t really my type, baby. That guy will wither in my shadow.
That’s the only ex of Tessa’s that I know of. I’m not sure if that’s who she was talking about with her sister, but it’s a strong play. Because if it was, she’ll realize that I was practically in that room with her while she was on the phone. Maybe that’s a dick move. But I didn’t ask for this goddamn situation, so she’s going to have to bend to my rules.
Tessa: What’s it gonna take to shake you?
Me: There is no shaking me, Tess. Get used to it. You can fight me, be a good girl, or beg me to make YOU shake. One way or another, you’re tied to me. I’ll see you at 8.
I could leave it at that, but I suspect the amorous banter is throwing her off as much as it is me. And she should know, I don’t back down.
Me: Oh, and one more thing to note: since you’re fantasizing about Dracula, I bite, but I also kiss it better.
TESSA
I’m fuming. At Maddox. At my family. And at myself.
