My head snaps up, catching his smirk. “I’m not afraid.”
“Then look at me when I answer.” His biceps bulge as he leans over the kitchen island. “Why do you want to know?”
“I’m curious. I know Carter’s a killer. He killed his own father to keep Hailey safe. I saw Broadway and Koby covered in blood last night, but you... you don’t strike me as the type.”
“Oh, but I am. Does it bother you?”
I turn his question around, dissecting my feelings. Does it bother me? No, I can’t say it does. Andthat’sscary. What’s happened to me over the past three months if the idea of living under the same roof as a killer doesn’t scare me?
“No... should it? I mean, you wouldn’t kill me, would you?”
“No, I wouldn’t kill you.” He straightens up again, leaving his empty cup between us as he stalks out of the kitchen. He pauses in the doorway, one hand on the frame, eyes searching mine over his shoulder. “But I’d kill for you.”
29
Ryder
The VIP area hums with low conversations, the music from the main floor bleeding through, a steady pulse of bass reverberating through my chest.
Normally,Scarlettis electric, our nights here meant to diffuse the week’s tension, but it’s different tonight. My leg bounces under the table, restless energy I can’t shake.
Bianca’s on my left, her proximity anchoring me even as my mind races. She’s close enough that I feel the heat radiating off her, her arm brushing mine every so often.
She’s wearing another short, tight, revealing dress, her perfect boobs pushed together, begging me to bury my face in her cleavage. The coconut scent of her skin doesn’t help tame my wild, erotic thoughts, either.
Each accidental touch sends a sharp current through me, a reminder of everything I want but can’t reach for.
Not here.
She laughs at something Hailey’s said, her lips curving into a smile that lights up her entire face. Beautiful. So fucking pretty when she lets herself feel.
Still, despite the smiles and laughs, she’s tense. I keep waiting for her walls to snap back up, but she’s wide open, her fingers curling around the stem of her glass a little too tightly. She’s schooling her emotions, but the edges of fear are visible.
And it’s my fault.
I should’ve been more careful this morning. I should’ve allowed her to hear Koby talk about Jax.
Her soft laugh draws my attention... too bad it doesn’t calm me the way it should. Not after what Koby’s told me—Noretto knows she’s here.
If my stunt last night got all the way to Pittsburgh, he knows aboutus. That makes her more than a target; it makes her a weapon they can use to gut me.
And the worst part? I handed them the ammunition when I lost my shit. Anyone watching would’ve seen my jealousy. They’d know she means something to me. That I’m not protecting her because she’s Hailey’s sister.
Here’s hoping no spies witnessed my tantrum...
Bianca glances at me, those pouty lips closing around the rim of her glass. I grip the edge of the table.
I can’t touch her. Can’t kiss her here without painting a biggerXon her back.
Easier said than done. The urge to stake my claim claws at me like a restless beast. It grows tenfold when Broadway stamps a cute little kiss on Violet’s head.
Fuck, I want that.
But I fight down the urge, focusing on my boss instead. He sits across from me, his back straight, arms crossed over his chest. His stoic gaze swings between Hailey and the VIP area entrance.
Broadway’s beside him, fingers drumming a rapid staccato. He’s a live wire, tension radiating off him in waves. I don’t blame him. He has twice as much to worry about: Violet andhis baby.
Every minute that passes without Jax showing up feels like another minute closer to disaster.
