She sat in the passenger seat, arms still folded, face turned toward the window like she’d rather be anywhere else.Her leg bounced once, then stilled.Mud cracked and flaked off her sleeve with every movement.
When they reached his place, he looked over at her.“Are you going to walk nicely inside or do you want another ride over my shoulder?”
“Screw you.”She released her seatbelt, opened the door, and slammed it harder than he had earlier.
His lips twitched despite himself.She really was cute.
He followed her inside and made sure the place was secure before dragging out the same T-shirt and socks from the other night.“Here.You can take a shower and use these.Tika is roaming around somewhere, so call out if you need him.There’s a nine-millimeter CZ in that drawer, and there’s a shotgun by the door.I don’t think anybody followed me.In fact, I’m pretty sure of it.But shoot anybody that’s not me.”
She lifted her chin.“Including Ace?”
“Definitely shoot Ace if he comes by,” Christian grumbled, heading toward the door.“Lock this behind me, and I’m not joking.”He paused at the door and turned to level her with a look.“Amka, when I get back, we’re having a talk.”
“I am not accepting this.”Her words slurred slightly.She crossed her arms, shifted her weight, and came right at him, looking up to his face.“I am not giving you permission to take my SUV.”
He cocked his head.“You can’t drive.”
“You can’t tell me what to do.”And then she shoved him.Hard.Flat palms to his chest.
He didn’t move.Man, the woman really was spoiling for a fight.He got that.In fact, he’d just had a fight with his own brother.But now wasn’t the time.“I have to go.Behave yourself.”
Her eyes flared.“Behave?”She clenched one muddy hand and aimed it right for his gut, wincing when she made contact.
He grabbed her wrists.“You wanna talk now?”His temper wanted to blow.
“I want you to stop acting like you own me,” she snapped, yanking her arms back.
He didn’t have time for this.“I’m not.I’m just trying to keep you alive.”
“That isn’t your job.”Her eyes flashed with a desperation and fear that nearly pushed him over the edge.What was scaring her so badly?She moved to shove him again, and this time he caught her halfway and kissed her.Hard.
No warning.No room for breath.
Her fists hit his chest once and then curled into his shirt.He had no idea if she was going to slap him or climb him—and didn’t care.Because every part of him wanted more.And for once, he was done pretending he didn’t.Finally, he wrenched his mouth free and opened the door.“We’re not finished with this.When I get back, we’re having that talk.”He was done with the fear in her eyes.He’d take care of the threat, and then he’d figure out what to do.“Lock the fucking door.”He shut it, heading out to borrow her SUV, whether she liked it or not.
Chapter19
Blood dripped down Ace’s temple, warm until the rain hit it.Then his skin went cold.Everything went cold.He leaned against the door of May’s office building, head tipped back, eyes on the black sky above.The streetlight buzzed over him.A flickering, busted hum.Fit the mood.
He deserved the pain.Christian had done him a favor.One sharp fist to the jaw, another to the temple, and suddenly things made sense.Yeah, he’d gotten drunk again.The booze cut the edge off his thoughts.He liked that part, but he didn’t like that he’d let down his brother.
Now he was bleeding.Alone, and waiting for the only person in this town who could take him out of his own head without the booze.
May.
He called her before he could think too hard about it.Told her he was bleeding.Didn’t bother to explain.Then he stood still and waited for her headlights to cut through the dark.When they did, he straightened.Not enough to look good.Just enough to stay upright.
She flew out of her truck, keys already in hand.Her glasses slipped down her nose since she probably had taken her contacts out for the night.“Jesus, Ace.”
“You took your time,” he muttered.Damn, he loved her in glasses.
“I didn’t.”She got the door open fast, hands shaking.Not a good sign.Not from her.“Inside.Now.I’m going to start charging you extra for the after-hours injuries.”
He followed her in, boots dragging mud, blood still trickling down his face.He didn’t limp.Didn’t let himself.
She locked the door behind them and flicked on the lights.He ignored the brightness and then walked toward the table without needing to be told.
“Sit.”
