I nod my thanks. “At least someone still has a functioning brain.”
“We’re done, Lo,” Darrow growls as I withdraw my knife, curling my gloved hand around the gun, pointing it at him. “You’d better watch your back.”
I slip my Strider in my back pocket. “We’re done because I say we’re done, and if anyone needs to watch his back, it’s you. The last person who tried to take me out didn’t fare so well.”
I slide out of the booth, keeping the gun trained on him. “And I need little incentive when it comes to your cheating ass.” I glance at the gun in my hand. “This is the second weapon I have with your fingerprints on it.” I lean down into his face, pinching his cheek. “There are more ways than violence or death to take down an enemy, and you’d do well to remember that.”
I snatch the USB drive from the table. “I’ll be holding on to this now.” He can fuck off if he thinks I’m giving him anything.
He pushes Blondie away, clenching his fists on top of the table. “This isn’t the last you’ve seen of me, Lo. You’ve made a grave mistake.”
“I’m quaking in my boots.” I throw back my head, laughing as I back away, keeping the gun trained on my ex. “Have a nice life, asshole,” I say just before I exit, hurrying to the car and peeling out of there.
_______________
“He’s going tomake you his mission now,” Theo says when the guys are back inside the car and Saint is situated behind the wheel again.
“Let him try,” Saint snarls, thrusting the car forward.
Galen’s cell pings, and he cracks up laughing. “Man, he’s pathetic.”
I look into the back seat, grinning. “Darrow is nothing if not predictable.”
“You should meet with him,” Theo says. “Hear what he’s planning.”
“It could be a trap,” Saint suggests.
“Nah.” Galen shakes his head, and waves of dark, silky hair fall into his eyes. He tosses them aside with a flip of his head. “He still thinks I want Lo dead. I can tell him I’m even more bloodthirsty now that I was almost killed in the explosion that was meant for her.”
“Cold.” Saint grins wickedly at his cousin.
“But perfect,” Caz adds.
“Perfect would be his head on a spike,” Saint snarls. “He’s lucky he’s still in one piece after the shit he said to you back there.”
“I was so tempted to slice off his dick,” I admit. “Like, I seriously had to talk myself off that ledge.”
Caz chuckles. “You couldn’t deprive us of that sight. When you chop his cock off, I want a front-row seat.”
I lean back for a knuckle touch. “Deal, dude. Wouldn’t want to deprive you of such quality entertainment.”
_______________
I sneak outlater that night to meet Ashley after the guys have gone to sleep. I’m planning on a quick snatch and grab so I’m back in the house before they notice I’ve left. It’s why I asked Ashley to drive to Prestwick Forest to meet me.
I drive through the main entrance to the woods and pull into the parking lot, alongside Ashley’s car, and kill my engine. “Girl, this place gives me the creeps at night,” she says, exiting her car the same time I exit mine.
I shudder as I remember the time the guys dumped me in a pit filled with bones in the dead of night and left me to crawl out by myself. “You’re preaching to the choir,” I agree, opening the trunk of the Gran Turismo. Luckily, I emptied it out before coming here, because the four framed photos are big, and they barely fit.
“Those are seriously hot.” Ashley grins, propping her hip against the side of her car as I close the trunk. “And I like that you didn’t ask Michelle to cover up your scars or your injuries.”
“I’m proud of my scars,” I say. “And I never hide them. They remind me every day that I’ve faced off with monsters and come out stronger.” I pull myself up on the hood of my car. “I did consider hiding the bruising on my ribs,” I admit. “For about five seconds.” I flash her a grin. “Because the sentiment is the same there. That bitch tried to take me out, but she failed. I’m still here, and what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
“Amen, sister. I think they make the photos hotter, and I’m sure the guys will love them.”
“I hope so, because I’m replacing the nude posters on their walls with my own version.” I’ve been planning it from the instant I stepped foot in their place.
Ashley tosses her long hair over one shoulder, grinning wildly. “I so want to be you when I grow up.” I toss her a grin. “Why weren’t we friends before? It was such a wasted opportunity.”
