“Fuck!” Rooster cursed, and we both broke into a run.
In the few minutes we’d been gone, two of Battle’s crew had shown up and had the boys cornered by the game they’d been playing. Jasper stood protectively in front of Flash, with Xander’s hand on his shoulder like he was holding him back. I noticed the way Jasper’s fists clenched, the way his teeth were bared like he was pissed about something. Fear stabbed into my gut like a sharp spike, worried he’d do something stupid like pick a fight with one of the assholes I knew was carrying a weapon. My instincts screamed at me to get between them before that happened. I didn't give a shit what happened to me. If it came down to me or Jasper, I’d take whatever those assholes had planned for him and then some. Whatever it took to make sure Jasper was safe.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
JASPER
Zero and Rooster hadn’t even been gone two minutes before the assholes showed up. I knew in the first minute of them approaching us that they weren’t part of Zero’s crew. They wore vests, which I knew weren't allowed right now, and these guys didn’t look anything like the guys I’d met. One was fat, his belly so big, his vest had to separate around it, and his bald head was shiny in a way that made me think he was greasy, not shining it on purpose. The other guy was his opposite, stick thin with hollow eyes and missing teeth when he grinned at us. I moved automatically in front of Flash and Xander, since I was taller than the both of them and used to fighting. If it came down to it, I wanted one of them to have a chance to go get Zero and Rooster.
“Hey, kids. Havin’ fun?” the skinny one drawled.
“Fuck off,” I shot back, straightening my spine when the guy’s smile fell and he glared at me.
“That’s no way to talk to your elders,” the guy chastised.
“Why are you here?” Xander asked, chin lifted in defiance. His voice was cold, not a hint of anxiety there. Like he’d faced down people like this before and knew how to handle himself. It made me want to ask questions, but I knew I couldn’t right now. It had to wait.
The skinny one looked him over, narrowing his eyes. “Are you Wraith’s kid? You look just like ‘im.”
Xander didn’t reply, offering no information to the two assholes who were edging closer to us. I felt Flash’s hand fist in my shirt a lot like Isla’s did when she was fussy. It made my fists clench, my instincts telling me to fight and fight hard so they could get away. I held back because I heard Zero’s voice in my head. He told me how dangerous this crew was. And he told me the cops wouldn’t hesitate to point fingers at me and have me arrested just for being related to him and the crew. I had to keep it together.
Skinny’s eyes flicked to me again. “You’re Zero’s boy, aren’t you? I’ve seen you around.”
The longer we went without answering him, the more irritated the guy seemed to get. His lip twitched like he was fighting a scowl.
“We’ve been watchin’ you,” he began, only to be cut off by Xander.
“Creep.”
Both guys whipped around to glower at him, but Xander didn't even flinch. It was shocking. He wasn’t a big kid, a few inches shorter than me, but he projected this energy like he wasn’t worried in the slightest about the guys talking to us.
“Fuck you, you little shit,” the fat guy growled.
“Rachet, shut up,” Skinny cut him off. He turned his attention back onto us, giving Xander a dirty look. “You’re a real tough guy aren’t ya?” His creepy gaze slid to me. “I heard tell you were a fighter. Putting bullies in their place at school. You sureyou wanna associate with pussies like the Dirty Devils? They’re only gonna hold you back.”
I didn't know where he was going with his little speech and I didn’t care. Where the hell was Zero?
“You come with us, we can get you what you want.”
My brows snapped together tightly. “What do you know about what I want?”
He lifted a shoulder, a smirk pulling at his lips. “I was a lot like you once. People tried to mess with me, and adults were always bitchin’ about me puttin’ ‘em in their place. Finally got out at sixteen. You’re fightin’ for your freedom, kid. We can give you that.”
He was wrong. I wasn’t fighting for my freedom. I didn’t fight just to push people around. I was… angry. Afraid I’d lose what I had left of my family, afraid Zero would drop us just like the rest of the family did. He proved me wrong. I didn’t need to fight anymore.
Lifting my gaze to lock with the asshole, I glared at him. “Not interested. Fuck off before we call security about two perverts trying to get kids to go with them.”
That made the fat guy’s face turn purple, he was so pissed. The skinny one looked more calculating though. He stared at me long enough to make me uncomfortable. Finally, he shrugged.
“Suit yourself, kid. Guess I just figured you’d want some backup protecting that sister of yours. You really think Zero can protect you both when he’s not even man enough to carry a weapon?” He shook his head mockingly, ticking his tongue against his teeth. “You never know what could happen, especially while you’re not around to watch out for her. Where is she, by the way? Why isn’t she with you?”
Ice filled my veins, followed by white hot rage. “Stay the hell away from my sister!”
A slow grin spread across his face. “I ain’t interested in babies, kid. I’m just sayin’. Us Hellfire Riders are at war with the Dirty Devils. If you don’t want your sister caught in the middle, you need to decide which side you’re on. The one that has the firepower to protect you, or the one too chicken to settle this like men.”
ZERO
The two assholes from the Hellfire Riders walked away just as we joined them. I moved automatically, putting myself between the kids and the assholes, but I only got a sneer from one of them before they gave us their backs and walked away.
