“I’m usually the first one to jump in and cut a bitch,” Jasmine says, “but if you want to stay and watch him fight, I’d suggest we do it some other time.”
I look over at her.
“Her brothers own the place,” she reminds me before taking a sip of her drink. “We’ll be thrown out in two point five seconds if we jump on her. Although, I must admit, I can do a lot of damage in that short of time. So if that’s the commitment you want to make, I’m in.”
I glance back over at them. He’s still talking to the guy and doesn’t acknowledge Lucy, but that doesn’t seem to offend her in the least. She’s still touching him, her body now pressed into his side.
A new guy walks up to them and grabs Lucy’s upper arm, jerking her away from them.
“Who’s that?” I ask since Jasmine seems to know everyone.
“That is Trey Mason. The baby brother.”
I take a step back, my heart racing at her words. “I shouldn’t have come here.”
“What? You wanted to see Grave.”
“Yes, but I didn’t know the Mason brothers owned the place,” I snap, and she frowns. “They had someone break into my shop,” I blurt out. The alcohol has my mouth running.
She gasps. “They what?”
“Yeah. Who knows what they’ll do if they see me here? Let’s go.” Not wanting to explain it right now, I pivot and start walking. But a hand grips my arm and I’m spun back around. My heart pounds in my chest when I stare up into a set of blue eyes.
“Hey,” Grave says. “I knew that was you. What are you doing here?” he asks, glancing from me to Jasmine.
I lick my numb lips. “I wanted to come see you. But…”
“But what?” He frowns.
I step into him and stand on my tiptoes to whisper in his ear. “I didn’t know this place belonged to the Mason brothers.”
He cups my face when I pull back. “They won’t touch you. I promise. But…” Letting me go, he digs his cell out of his pocket and types away. “Doesn’t mean I want you here without protection.”
“Are you afraid I’m going to get pregnant?” Jasmine jokes.
Grave snorts. “Your chance of reproduction does not concern me,” he replies, still typing on his phone. Then he looks at me. “Nite will stay with you girls.”
Jasmine throws her head back with a sigh. “You’re giving us the babysitter? I come here all the time.”
“Yeah, and so do I. I know what happens to women here when no one is watching.”
The hairs on the back of my neck stand, but he leans into me, cups my face, and kisses me. I wrap my arms around his neck and open for him, kissing him back. His hands slide down my back and grip my ass. He lifts me effortlessly, and I wrap my legs around his narrow hips.
I pull away, panting, and whisper, “Be careful,” against his lips.
“Don’t worry about me, baby.” He slaps my ass, and I jump down, laughing just as Nite shows up.
“Watch them,” Grave orders, and Nite gives him one firm nod.
Grave gives me one more soul-searing kiss, then walks off.
“Hi, we haven’t officially met. I’m April.” I hold out my right hand, and he shakes it before glancing around the crowded place. I wait for him to say hello or introduce himself, but he completely ignores me.
“He doesn’t speak,” Jasmine offers, glaring up at him.
Oh.“At all?”
She shakes her head. “He took a vow of silence back in college. He’s a mute,” she snaps, “and we’re not staying here with him.” She attempts to leave, but he grabs ahold of her hair and spins her around to face him.
