“You know how tree fairies get when we’re horny! I had to take the edge off.”
Deep laughter roared from Warwick, his head tipping back, eyes squeezing shut, hands clapping together.
The sound penetrated through my skin, hitting every fiber of my being. It stroked a fire through me, warming every inch and spreading an instant smile over my face. His laughter was the sexiest thing I had ever heard.
“What?” Ash peered between us. “It’s not like I could help it. I blame you guys.”
I shook my head, chuckling as he tried to defend himself.
“Well, thank you for looking for us between your sexual romps.” I patted his arm, making him huff and try to explain. “But you could have asked Scorpion. He’d know we were okay.”
Realization dawned on his face, probably forgetting the link between Scorpion and me. “He’s been a bit busy playing warden to your friend.”
“Hanna? Is she okay? Is Caden? Lukas?”
Ash nodded. “They’re fine. Lukas and Caden are both awake now.”
The urgent need to get back to base to check in on them, talk to them, unsettled me, knowing it had to wait.
“Actually, glad you showed up.” Warwick patted his shoulder with a smirk. “You can come with me. Also,procureanother bike for me.”
“This the eighth one this month!” Ash snorted, both men about to step to the door.
“What can I say?” He winked back at me. “I ride hard.”
“Warwick, can I speak to—” Kitty came striding into the room, coming to a halt, her mouth still open, but no other words followed. Her gaze locked on the new arrival.
And he stared right back.
Tingles brushed over my skin, the tension robbing the room of the easy humor it just contained.
“Jan—Kitty,” Ash corrected himself, his voice low and cracked.
“Ash.” She replied with almost no emotion, but her throat bobbed, her hand fluttering slightly. “It’s been... a long time.”
“It has.”
Awkward silence pounded in my ears. I knew there was a history between these two. Feelings, unrequited or possibly requited, but whatever happened separated the lifelong friends.
“You look well.” Ash motioned down her. Tall in her heels and formfitting black knee-length dress, she reminded me of a fashion model, not the madam of a brothel.
“As do you,” she replied.
Silence.
“Fuck, if we have to wait for you two to get through a full sentence, we’re going to be here forever.” Warwick gestured between them, irritation furrowing his brows. “You both are sorry—apologize and move on. You two have avoided each other over hurt feelings for years. We are a family. The only one I ever really had. No matter if things got messed up for a bit. Don’t fuckin’ let go of what we’ve been through. What you are to each other. I’ve had it with you guys and being in the middle of this stupid grudge.”
Ash scowled, glancing away, Kitty doing the same.
“So... figure it out! Before I decide to kill you both for my peace of mind,” he grumbled, stepping for the door. “But not right this second. Ash, come with me.” He banged through the front door, his massive frame clomping angrily down the path.
Ash hesitated for a moment, glancing at Kitty before he followed Warwick out the door.
Kitty spun around and marched out of the room, a door down the hall slamming.
I stood there alone in the room, feeling the years of pain, anger, and embarrassment they stubbornly built between their friendship.
In a short time, they had become like family to me too. And I hoped they could work it out. In this world, family, trust, and love were scarce. You held on to these and fought like hell to keep them.
