“Hey, this is your chance to glue yourself to her side. You sure you don’t want to take it?” That knowing, infuriating smile is back.
“Ripper? In all of the years we’ve known each other, how have I not killed you?” The question is weary, leaving me like a sigh. But I already know the answer. It’s the same thing that stops me every time he pushes me to the edge.
He frowns as I rub the spot over my chest, the old ache flaring. “It’s because you’d die a lonely old man without me.”
We haven’t even hit our forties yet.
“I want to kill him. That’s our only option.” The fight drains out of me, leaving a cold, hard resolve. Sinking onto the couch next to him, the furniture wheezes in protest. “I could go alone.”
“You want Pen to cry at your funeral? Try again.” His knee starts bouncing, a nervous tic. “Can we wait the three days before we move?”
Blaze is getting too cocky. Maybe if we play the part of a scattered, celebrating club, he’ll let his guard down just enough.
“Keep enjoying yourself for now,” I order, the words tasting like ash. “Assume we’re being watched. Keep an eye on more than just Haven.” I stand, the room suddenly too small, the walls closing in.
His brows lift in genuine surprise. “Woah, you said her name. Could that mean…”
“She’s still a spy,” I snap, cutting him off. “See if you can get any information out of her. Anything we can use.” I clear my throat, ignoring the devious chuckle that leaves his lips. Once again, I’m glad I can’t read the chaotic mess of his thoughts.
I need a drink. Fuck, can I even let myself have that small comfort now?
“Prez?” Ripper stands, already backtracking toward the room he shares, toward the warmth waiting for him. “You won’t be a bad guy if you take advantage of the situation.” His smile softens into something almost sympathetic. “Better you watch over Pen than to let someone else, right? Those twins are the only ones without someone watching their back.”
Frowning, I don’t disagree. The logic is sound, but it’s a trap. If I ask anyone else to watch her, I’ll be sick with jealousy. If I do it myself, her nearness will be its own exquisite torture, a distraction I can’t afford. It’s a lose-lose.
When it comes to her, she’s the only person who makes thinking logically impossible.
For now, I’ll think about her sister. First things first, I’ll find someone who can watch over Raven. Someone who can handle the heat of the older twin. Then, maybe… I can ask Penelope what she wants.
The thought is terrifying.
4
Penelope
The rhythm of slapping club sandwiches together is a welcome distraction, right up until the front doors swing open. Our hacker and the beautiful blonde who’ve been hiding out in the mountains for the last week and some days make their grand appearance.
A wave of celebration erupts around me for Ghost’s return, but the sound feels distant. My hands still, my whole world narrowing to the sight of him with Eliza.
There’s no denying the way he keeps her pressed to his side, his arm a possessive band around her waist. The way they both beam, they look perfect together.
A genuine, uncomplicated happiness radiates from them, so potent it’s like a physical warmth in the room. And in the pit of my stomach, something cold and sharp twists in response. It’s not malice, not for them. It’s a hollow, aching jealousy that steals my breath.
They look like they’re completely in love, like nothing else in the world matters.
My sister materializes beside me, drawn by the commotion. “Think this is a visit, or are things going back to normal?” She snatches a cherry from our stock, nibbling on the fruit.
With Eliza in the picture, they wouldn’t risk leaving the mountain just to return. “Staying, most likely,” I mumble, my voice thick. “I mean, we kind of need him. Without Ghost, we’re pretty much blind.” My gaze is stuck on them, on the easy way Ghost chats with Warden, his touch never leaving Eliza’s body.
We watch in silence for a few minutes, enjoying the break of demanding club members as they put their attention on the couple, instead.
“You think she’s at fault for this whole thing?” Raven stares at Eliza, but for once, there’s no spite in her tone as we both take in his blushing girlfriend. “None of this mess would be happening if he didn’t bring her here.”
Pursing my lips, I fold my hands on top of the bar, needing to ground myself. “I think… everyone who joins us always comes with a cause and effect. Some cases are more extreme. I mean, look at us.”
My sister frowns, hating anything to do with our past. In her head, when Judge and Ripper faked our deaths, everything that had happened before should have disappeared with it.
“I don’t think that other club is attacking because of Eliza, or because of all those women Hammer and Warden set free. I think…” I sigh softly, my eyes drifting away from the happy couple, searching instinctively for the one person who makes my world tilt. “Judge is hiding some things from most of us. There might be something that happened before us, you know? If he’s holding information, there must be a good reason for it.”
