“Fine.I want the chance to explain what happened and my reasons for my actions.”
Abi frowned then blinked several times at Sammy’s answer.“That’s all?You will get the pictures of my sister.Deal with the pervy teacher who has been harassing her.And sort out the whole fight club situation with Sixx?”
That was a long list to have to fix.All my fuckups.My fault.
Sammy lifted a shoulder, appearing just as vulnerable as my sister.“I mean, my brother is going to have to assist me.”
Abi jerked as if she’d been stabbed.What the fuck was that about?I tried to watch her closer.
“But yeah,” Sammy continued.“We can take care of all your sister’s problems.”
“What’s the catch?”Hayat asked, moving to stand beside Abi.
“I already told you what I want in return.”Her gaze softened, affection filling her eyes as she looked at Abi.“I know it’s a big ask.I can throw in a few extra favors for later down the road if it makes any difference.”
Sixx stepped forward, putting himself closer to Abi and mostly blocking me from view.I started to reach for him, wanting to touch him, hug him—just feel his skin beneath my fingertips—but then I remembered that he had stopped himself from touching me earlier.He’d never done that before.I was one of the few exceptions to his touch aversion.Or I used to be.
Wrapping my arms around myself, I tried to fight the burn of hurt.My fault.This was another consequence I needed to face.
“No way you can do all that,” he told Sammy.“What do I have to do?”
Peeking around him, I saw her wave her hand, unbothered.Dismissive.“You’ve already caused enough trouble.Worry about what you’re going to tell Mommy and Daddy about your busted hands.I’ll take care of the rest.”
“But only if Abi listens to you explain…what exactly?”His voice sounded as skeptical as I felt.
“That’s between us,” Sammy said coolly.
Sixx grabbed Abi’s arms, turning her to face him.I sucked in a breath.Oh, so he had no trouble touching my sister.Okay.
“I don’t know who this chick is, but don’t do it.I can take care of this myself.So what if I have to do a few more fights.It’s what I’m good at, Abi.It’s… Why is your lip bleeding?”He touched his thumb carefully to her lip, which made her flinch.“Fuck, when did that happen?”
I stepped closer, inspecting her.Abi’s face looked like she’d been the one in a fight.Even in the low light, I could see how one side of her face was already swelling and bruised.
“Don’t worry about my face,” she dismissed.“And no, you are not participating in more fights.You’re sixteen, Sixx.I’m not going to let you ruin your life.”
“Abi, I’m so sorry,” I choked out, absorbing yet another one of the consequences of my poor decision-making.“I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”
She shushed me, gently grasping my face between her chilly hands.“I know you didn’t.None of it’s your fault.But for fuck’s sake, if anything like this happens again, promise me you’ll tell me.”
Fighting another sob, I nodded, unable to voice the promise.With a heavy sigh, Abi hugged me close.I buried my face against her shoulder, clinging to her.
“What’s it going to be?”Sammy called out after a moment, causing Abi to stiffen.“This is a one-time offer.”
“Fine,” she seethed.“You can talk, and I’ll listen.”
Sammy clapped her hands together, giggling in a way that put goose bumps on my arms.She was weird as fuck.People had died tonight.We’d nearly been casualties ourselves.And she was dancing around like a little girl who had gotten her way.She was definitely a little unhinged.
“After you help my sister and Sixx,” Abi amended, which didn’t deter Sammy’s joy.
“Deal!No takesies-backsies.”
Hayat grunted, her aquamarine eyes bouncing from Sammy to my sister before she took charge again.“We still need to figure out what we’re doing about Sixx’s hands.”
“I know a doctor who makes house calls,” Sammy offered.
“Fuck,” Abi muttered.“Fine.Let’s go.Bentley, where’s your car?”
“A few more blocks over.Tried to get as close as possible, but ended up circling back and parking closer to Sixx.”He fished his keys out of his pocket.“You can take mine.I’ll ride with Sixx and Ali.”
