Reluctantly, I step aside. Powell helps her sit up, and my stomach twists into knots when I see the state of Zeta’s face. Blood pumps out of her nose, and it’s clearly swollen—it might even be broken. Cuts and scrapes cover her beautiful face, and blood drips down her chin, soaking her white polo top.
“Oh, dear. Look what a mess you made of your pretty face,” Valeria taunts.
I’m all up in her face before she notices. “Shut your mouth, you stupid bitch!”
“Ryder!” Powell sends me a cautionary look as she helps Zeta to stand. “Stand down.”
“It washerfault.” I jab my finger into Valeria’s chest. “She deliberately tripped Zeta up.”
“It was an accident, jerk face,” Valeria spits, keeping up the pretense.
“Don’t make it any worse for yourself, girl.” Powell eyeballs her. “I saw the whole thing go down.”
Price arrives then, grabbing hold of Valeria’s elbow. “Time for a little solitary confinement.”
A satisfied smile spreads over her mouth. “It was worth it,” she sneers before being led away.
“Let me help,” I say, returning my attention to Zeta. She has one arm slung around Powell’s shoulders, and she’s hobbling, pain evident in her grimace. Both her knees and her shins are cut, blood seeping down her legs.
“Don’t touch me.” Her eyes flash with hurt. “We’re not friends anymore, and I don’t need or want your help. You’ve done more than enough.”
I deserve that. I truly do. But it still cuts like a bitch.
“Fuck, her face is seriously messed up,” Lopez says, appearing at my side.
“Shut the fuck up,” Luc says before I’ve had the chance to. “This is all your fault for riling Valeria up.”
“Da fuck you say to me, boy?” Lopez whirls on him, but I grab Young, shoving him behind me as I act as a barrier between him and the dickhead. Powell escorts Zeta across the yard, and she’s limping the whole time.
I eyeball Lopez, working overtime trying to contain my rage. “He may be out of line, but he’s not mistaken.” I grind my teeth hard, and my jaw clenches painfully. “Valeria has it in for Zeta, and we all know it’s because you want in her pants. You need to fix this.”
“How the fuck is this my problem?”
“It will be your problem if she goes near Zeta again because I won’t hold back next time.”
Lopez leans against the fence, scrubbing a hand over his jaw. “I’ll get her to play nice,” he says after a few beats. “But it’ll cost you.”
“Name your price. It’s yours.”
A cunning look slides over his features. Stepping up to me, he grins. “The Fender, man.” All the blood drains from my face. “Give me your guitar, and I swear your girl won’t have any more problems with V.”
“You can’t even play,” I murmur, blood thrumming in my ears.
“I want to learn. How hard can it be? If you taught yourself how to play, it’ll be a cakewalk,” he arrogantly adds.
“Ryder, no.” Luc tugs on my elbow. “Zeta wouldn’t want you to do that.”
“Butt out, Young.” I shove his hand off. Pinning dark eyes on Lopez, I force my frustration aside as I enter into negotiations. “Both you and Valeria will leave her alone. No more leering, no more sleazy comments, and you keep your hands to yourself. Valeria will refrain from even looking sideways at Zeta. No taunting, no bullying, no physical assaults.” Lopez nods, and I don’t trust the sly smile playing on his lips. “For as long as she’s in here.” I tack on the end, because I’m not always going to be around.
“I feel like I’d be justified in asking for your firstborn too.” Lopez smirks. “Anything else, or we have a deal?” He spits on his hand and holds it out to me.
“Valeria quits hitting on me.”
Lopez laughs but his jaw is tense as he nods his agreement.
I spit on my palm and we shake on it.
I’ve just made a deal with the devil and I have a feeling it’s going to come back and bite me in a big way.
