I frown. “D?”
“My trainer friend.”
“Ah, yes, the hot older guy.”
An instant grin appears. “He is definitely hot.”
I take a swig from my beer. “What’s the story with you two anyway?”
“My dad hired him to train me when I was a kid. After the kidnapping. We worked together for years. He taught me everything I know, but I owe him so much more. He’s a good friend.”
“Is that all he was because the look he had on his face when he talked about you was something else.”
Her features soften. “We were a thing for like five seconds the summer before senior year.”
“Wow.” I tap my bottle against hers. “You already know how much I admire you, but you’ve just gone even higher in my esteem. Fucking an older man while still in high school is pretty impressive.”
“I’m glad we didn’t lose our friendship. He means so much to me.”
“And the guys are okay with it?”
She cracks up laughing, wiping tears from her eyes. “I’m not sureokayis the word I’d use. I mean, Theo and Caz are fine with it, and Galen tolerates him, but Saint.” She shakes her head, still grinning. “Let’s just say Saint calls D granddad and D calls Saint punk and leave it at that.”
Now I’m laughing too. “Man, I would love to be a fly on the wall for that!”
“Fun times for sure.” She waggles her brows before her expression turns serious. She sits up straighter. “D said Sebastien was warned off training you. He says he’s sorry, but you’ll have to find someone yourself.” She reaches out, taking my hand. “What is going on, Ashley? Are you in some kind of danger?”
Fucking asshole luminaries know goddamned everything. “I wish I could tell you, but I can’t. I’m not in danger, per se, just that certain stuff has come to light recently, and it’s changed a lot of things for me.”
She nods in understanding. “I get that.” She squeezes my hand. “Just know I am here for you. If there is anything we can do, you only have to ask.”
“Thanks, Lo. I appreciate it.” I reach out and hug her because I truly do appreciate her support.
“Well, isn’t this cozy?” Ares says. The door slams against the wall as he bursts into the room. “Though I’m a little disappointed you weren’t getting it on,” he adds, grabbing his crotch like the Neanderthal he is. “Some live girl-on-girl action would be just what the doc ordered.”
“Get out, perv.” I jab my finger at the door. “This is a private conversation, and you’re not invited.”
The asshole holds his hands up as he strolls toward us. His T-shirt lifts with the motion, showcasing a tantalizing strip of toned, tan skin, defined V-indents at his hips, and a trail of dark hair creeping down under the waistband of his low-slung ripped black jeans. Tipping my chin up with one finger, he closes my mouth shut. “You were drooling.”
I slap his hand away and growl. “Fuck off.”
Leaning down, he puts his face all up in mine. “It’s okay, little slutser. I know you can’t help it. You’re only human.”
“Your ego is so big it lives on its own planet.” I shove his shoulders. “Get out of my personal space and get lost.”
Ignoring me, Ares perches his butt on the arm of my chair and turns to face Lo. “I was hoping you could tell me about The Sainthood.”
Lo is cool as a cucumber as she stares at my stepbrother. “Why would I do that?”
“You’re out now, but I know you have intel. I’m just looking for a list of names of current members.” He shrugs and cocks his head to one side, and I just know he’s fixing her with one of his sexy looks. The kind of look that renders most women to mush. But Lo is not most women, and all it’s liable to achieve is a punch to the nuts.
“Sorry, can’t help you. The last thing I want is to get dragged into more Sainthood shit.” Lo levels him with a look, clearly telling him to drop it.
But Ares is like a dog with a bone, and he’s a crazy motherfucker who just can’t help himself. “Don’t be a cunt. I’m only looking for a favor.” He puts his face all up in hers, which means his butt is all up in mine. Like, his ass isliterallyin my face, so I’m struggling to pay attention to the conversation with such a tempting distraction right in front of me.
“And like I said. I want nothing to do with whatever you have planned. Now, back off, buddy, or I’ll make you.”
Of course, Ares still doesn’t back down. “I know you can get what I need. If you don’t volunteer the information, I will fucking force it from you through any means necessary.” He grabs a handful of her dress, yanking her face up to his, and I instantly see red. “You feel me, bitch?”
