My cheeks glow at the thought, and I dart my gaze between Gavin’s and Killa’s. The silent stare-off between them is bordering on violent. A venom-filled glare radiates from Killa, whereas Gavin’s eyes hold intrigue. Slowly, he turns his attention toward me, and I drop my gaze to the table in a manner that could be deemed as submissive.
“Asked you a fuckin’ question,” Killa barks, making me jolt, and Gavin’s muscles flex in his shoulders. Customers start to become aware of the commotion, quieting andstaring in our direction. Panic wells inside me as I scan the room, hoping nobody has realized I’m the center of the standoff.
“Cass, scoot over.” Killa tips his chin toward the window in a softer tone that has me making room for him to sit down, and relief floods me when people avert their gazes and get back to their conversations, thinking the situation has been resolved.
If only they knew.
Killa’s broad body fills the space, and when one of his legs brushes mine, coupled with the smokey scent and his cologne, a wave of arousal floods me.
He throws one arm over the back of the booth and plays with the tendrils of hair that have fallen from my ponytail. Then he brushes over the bite mark on my neck, and I want to slide beneath the table for not thinking of wearing my hair down to cover it up.
Gavin eyes us, and his gaze latches onto the mark, but I’m hoping he can see the pleading in my eyes to step carefully and not to anger Killa.
“Suggest you start speakin’.” Killa flicks open a penknife with his free hand, then closes it, then flicks it open, hypnotizing me when I realize this is quite possibly the same knife that assisted his assault on the blond guy.
Gavin’s focus remains steadfast, and I have to hand it to him, he doesn’t wither under Killa’s demand. But when he surveys Killa’s thumb stroking soft circles on my shoulder, I see the resolution slip away.
“My name is Gavin Warriner.” He extends his hand across the table, and I find myself placing a reassuring hand on Killa’s solid thigh, not missing the twitch my touch brings. But he stares at Gavin and ignores his outstretched hand.
“Why the fuck do I recognize your name?” Killa’s eyes are filled with danger, bordering on insane, and he licks his bottom lip like a predator as he sits forward.
The air shifts between us.
“Are you going to answer my questions, or am I going to force you?”
Gavin chuckles, but it lacks amusement, and I want the ground to swallow me whole.
My phone buzzing cuts through the air, and I stiffen when I see it’s the school calling. My heart hammers, my mouth becomes dry, and sickness coils in my stomach, then I fumble with the keys to answer, dropping the phone onto the table in the process.
Oh God, it’s Noah.
I can feel it in my gut.
Just like before.
“Shhh, I got you, baby,” Killa whispers in my ear as he trails one hand up and down my arm while the other answers the phone and places it on speaker.
“Hello, is this Miss Steel?”
“She’s driving at the minute.” He lies with ease while pulling me into his solid side, and I inhale his scent to bring me comfort.
“Can you inform her that there’s been an incident at school with her son, Noah, and for her to call in and discuss it, please?”
An involuntary whimper leaves me. “What incident? Is Noah okay?” he barks out, and his arm coils around me harder.
“He’s okay now. Please, can you reassure Miss Steel everything is fine.”
It does nothing to settle me.
“We’ll be right down.” He ends the call, and before Iknow what’s happening, he’s hauling me to my feet. Then he lifts my chin with his thumb. “You gonna be able to hold on?”
I furrow my brow.
“My hog.” He tips his head toward the parking lot, and my gaze follows, landing on his motorcycle. My eyes widen. “Gotta hold on tight,” he whispers, searching my face for something, and I find myself nodding. “Good girl.” He grins back at me.
Gavin clears his throat, and I move to step back, but Killa’s hold on me is powerful, possessive, and damn near rapture.
Killa’s head tilts to the side. “I haven’t fuckin’ finished with you, suit. Sleep with one eye open, motherfucker. I have questions.”
