What the stains up the front of it are from. Just in case there was any confusion.
What? I never said I’m a good person. I’m not. Far from it.
But neither’s Wylder. And until he finally snaps, I’m going to keep trying to tease the real him out to play.
I bet we’d have so much fun.
I’m so lost in my thoughts that I don’t notice right away that Kyle isn’t in front of me anymore. When I do, I come to an abrupt halt, peering through the dark night. “Kyle?”
A sharp yell comes from the alley just to my right. “Let me go. I swear, I’m innocent.”
Hushed words are hissed back, too quiet for me to hear them. Whoever they are, they have Kyle sobbing in fear.
I hover, unsure what to do. I don’t like Kyle, but I can’t just leave him to die.
I mean, I could, but I probably shouldn’t.
Realistically, I know I should call Cade. He’d be here in a second, half of his brothers likely in tow.
Discovering that the Buckinghams are behind The Firm was a shock, but it made sense when I thought about it. Who else has the power and connections to pull off that scheme aside from them?
There’s the sound of a punch and more crying from Kyle. Sighing, I square my shoulders and walk to the opening of the alley. I try to sound really threatening when all I really am is bored.
“Hey! Um. Let him go.”
Whoever is pinning Kyle to the wall is masked. He has a gloved hand pulled back to deliver another punch, but at the sound of my voice, he freezes. “Neo?”
I step closer, squinting in the gloom. Oh fuck, it’s a Buckingham. Well, at least I’m not dying tonight. If Ansel has sicced one of them on Kyle though, I’m gonna be pissed.
I can’t tell who it is as he’s masked and using a voice distorter.Based on his height, it’s not Harley, but that’s the best I’ve got. “Which one are you?”
With his attacker distracted, Kyle suddenly shoves against the man’s chest. He sprints past me, almost knocking me off my feet. He doesn’t look back once.
Not a single time.
The masked Buckingham comes to stand beside me, head cocked quizzically. “Did he just…run away?”
“He just ran away,” I repeat in disbelief.
“What if you’d actually been in danger?”
“Well, I guess he would’ve had to live with the knowledge that he left me to die.” I scowl as I glare at his retreating back. “I suspect he wouldn’t lose too much sleep.”
“Why are you with him?”
I glance at him, surprised. “Why do you care?”
“Humor me.”
Awareness prickles at me. It’s in his stance. His build. His choice of words.
I know which Buckingham this is. Maybe I’ve known all along. I don’t understand why he hasn’t confirmed it. But if this is a game that Wylder wants to play with me, I hope he’s ready to lose.
“Because he satisfies me,” I taunt, taking a step closer to Wylder. “He knows all the ways to make me moan. To make me scream. How best to make me beg. I can’t get enough. That’s why I’m with him.”
He stiffens, eliminating any doubt as to his identity. Every one of his brothers would’ve had a comeback to those comments. All he says is, “I see.”
I chuckle bitterly. “I don’t think you do, Wylder. If you did, we’d be having a very different conversation.”
