“Let’s just say we understand each other,” he replies.
“Yeah, okay.” Cori snorts. “You keep telling yourself that, buddy. I could recommend a good shrink.” Selene snickers, and Cori takes a sip of her drink. “Sounds like you could use one.” She says the last part under her breath, but loud enough for everyone to hear. Then she looks into his face again with a smug look. “How many of us do you see at this table right now?”
“I only see one,” the man responds softly.
“That was corny,” Cori says. “You’re corny and crazy. The two Cs.” She picks up her glass and looks away, effectively dismissing this man. “Go back to your prostitute.”
The smile drops from his face. He puts both hands on our table and leans down. I wait for Rip to toss his ass away, but all he does is cut into his steak and offer me a piece.
“That’s my little sister. You watch your mouth, now.” The lightness is gone from his voice. It’s almost like the flip of a switch, but Cori doesn’t heed the warning. She cranes her neck and studies the young woman.
“Little sister? Is that what we’re calling them now? And watch my mouth? Negro, please.” Pointing her fork in his direction, she rolls her eyes.
He blinks at Cori’s audacity, and something changes in his eyes. It looks like admiration.
“Bella, I’d love it if you’d join me and my sister.” He gestures toward their table. “Maybe for a drink. And if there’s a God, dessert.”
Cori picks up her cocktail, drains it, and then does the same to Selene’s. “I don’t drink,” she says.
The man’s smile deepens.
“You all have a lovely evening.” He nods at us and walks away.
“What a fucking basket case,” Cori says. “Um, Rip, do you think you can go make him get rid of that dog? It’s making me nervous.”
“No,” Ripley says, his eyes fixed on his food.
“Aww. I think that’s the first time he’s ever spoken to you, Cori.”
“Shut up, Selene.”
Chapter 52
Rip
“Brennan’s been neutralized,” Dax says. “The family sent him away, according to Preacher.”
“Good.” I tell him to hold on while I kiss Eden. “I’ll see you tonight, baby.”
“Thanks for lunch. I love you,” she mouths, and I swat her on the ass. Dax talks while I watch her walk through the Seven Heaven parking lot and into her car.
“We have a meeting with a potential,” he says. “Friday night, but I need to meet with you today. I’ll be there in about an hour.” He ends the call, and I start walking to my bike, only to be intercepted by Lexi.
I go around her, but she speaks.
“When you’re done with that little boring ass bitch, I’ll be here.” She sounds desperate, and desperate women have never been my thing.
“Don’t call her that,” I growl. Her eyes widen and she takes a step back. “And we’re done. Accept it and stay away from me.”
“Okay.” She raises both hands. “I’ll leave her alone if you buy me another car. I had to sell the other one.”
I walk away, but she runs and takes my wrist. I pull away from her, and she stumbles back.
I don’t say a word, but I nearly collide with Serena Rose, who is looking from me to Lexi. She narrows her eyes at me, but thankfully doesn’t speak. I go past her, get on my bike, and get the hell out of the parking lot.
It takes thirty seconds for me to realize Eden’s mother is following me. Instead of taking the main road directly to the abandoned convenience store, I make a right turn onto a side street. She follows, and I sigh in defeat. The last fucking thing I need is a run-in with Eden’s mother this morning, but I can’t let her follow me to work.
I lead her to my house, but I stop at the gate and dismount. She opens her car door and strolls to me.
