Makes me wonderwhyshe needed to learn to fight. Sure, she might have a loose tongue, but going out of her way for all this… I can’t help but wonder who this woman really is.
Everyone who comes to Steelwood has a story to tell, but the twins have been with the club longer than most. They’re the most mysterious. Wouldn’t it be fun to find out something no one else does?
Raven pulls my wrist, grunting when I don’t budge. “This is the part where you’re supposed to—”
A simple tug is enough, and she gasps, falling back onto me. She slides over my sore body, her touch just right, leaving a trail of heat and sweat. When she’s not expecting it, she folds beautifully. WhileIenjoy her falling back onto my lap, she does not.
Cursing me with every foul word she has in that dictionary of hers, her nails catch my skin as she yanks herself away. Giving me the middle finger, I don’t miss the flush clinging to her skin as she stomps toward the exit, calling an end to this anger management session.
Funny enough, only one thing pops up in my mind at that flustered blush of hers.Cute.
“You lowered your guard! I couldn’t help myself!” Calling after her, I struggle to stand. Yanking off my other glove, I’m forced to jog after her. Only a few steps in, I realize I’m smiling like a fool.
She must’ve hit me too hard. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be enjoying myself so much.
That’s what I’m going to tell myself, anyway.
4
Raven
For a short period, I get a little peace in my life. For about thirty minutes, Jinx leaves me with the two foster brothers so he can race home to snag some clothes.
Smoke and Ace keep giving me side eyes like they’re nervous. Good. That’s how I want them to look at me. Fear is a weapon I learned to use at a young age. It’s amazing how easy it is to keep people away from me once they’re uncomfortable enough to squirm.
Both of them keep eyeing the sore on my face, a cost for sparring. Thankfully, Jinx didn’t hit hard enough to make anything swell. The pain radiating there is a reminder that I need to get stronger.
Pouting my lips at the reminder, I shoot a glare in their direction to make their gazes drop.
Jinx thinks the two of them will be able to keep me here at the bar, and a small part of me wants to catch Judge to show I’m all alone. All because of the shit he pulled earlier.
Crashing onto him shouldn’t have happened. My elbows are still tingling from hitting the mat, and my body keeps reminding me how it felt to have all that hard muscle pressed up against every inch of my body. Fuck, even my face was too close to his. I had to see that frustrating smile up close. Too close.
Gross.
“Are you nervous?” Smoke eyes Ace, watching him cradle his glass of mocktail. “Hell, are you even going to get any sleep tonight?”
Ace groans softly before sipping at his drink. “If I’m lucky. Might be the last night I sleep at all.”
Tomorrow’s the big day. They’re finally going to take care of Crimson Road. Thank goodness. All it took was for Pen to get threatened for her knight and shining armor to appear.
Turning away, I head toward the good stuff. Pouring myself a shot of fireball, I shoot back the amber-colored liquid and enjoy the entire hot slide down my throat. I don’t drink often enough, only when I feel like this. Like I’m unlike myself.
I don’t ever feel any badwill toward my sister. Especially not jealousy of what she has. Hell, she’s the one person who deserves a man who’ll treat her right after everything she’s been put through…
Speak of the devil, and he’ll appear.
Like she knows I’m thinking about her, the two of them appear without any warning.
Seeing Penelope pop up with Judge at her tail, I turn without thinking, choking on my drink. It burns the hell out of my nostrils.
Fuck.
Ace notices my panic and hums in the back of his throat as he turns to see what spooked me. “That’s not good. He’s going to get torn a new asshole if Judge realizes.”
Yeah, no shit.
I don’t care what happens to that annoying asshole. What I’m more worried about is myself. Yeah, that’s it. If Judge sees me alone, he might actually go through with his threat earlier about handcuffs.
