Page 22 of Revenge & Truth

Resting my hands on my hips, I squared up to him. “So what if it was? Honestly, I didn’t appreciate being put on the spot in front of any of you. Who I sleep with or date is between me and that person, so why does there need to be a public hearing over the matter?”

“Because it’s not just you and one other person,” Liu answered. “It’s you and two other people at this point. Everyone involved deserves to know who else is part of the mix to prevent jealousy and miscommunication. Isn’t that why you told Braxton to talk about the two of you with Jace before you let anything start?”

That was exactly the reason I made him talk to Jace. They were an already established dynamic, and I wanted to respect that, ensuring all parties involved were open and honest.

“Damn you for being so fucking logical.” I sighed. “You’re right. When you view what’s going on with all of us, it’s only fair we’re all on the same page.”

“Good, just keep telling yourself that because this is the area you’re going to struggle with,” Liu informed me and then handed over my gun and pointed at Boykov. “He has your holsters.”

Clearly done discussing relationships with me, I headed over to my silent giant of a bodyguard I affectionately name Wreck-it Ralph. When we first met, I didn’t know his name, but he was a scary son of a bitch who looked like he could topple tall buildings with his muscles. Even though I eventually learned his name, Boykov allowed me to keep using the nickname.

“I’ve been sent to collect my holster,” I announced when I got to him.

He raised a brow at me. “Looked like Liu was over dealing with your stubborn ass.”

“You always have the sweetest things to say to me, Ralph. If you keep talking like that, I might think you like me,” I teased, strapping on the thigh holster and paused. “Is it a little too Tomb Raider with the leather pants and jacket?”

Boykov took a step back and looked me up and down. “No fucking clue what that is, but if you want to make sure this guy takes you seriously before having to shoot him, go with the thigh.”

The sound logic that just came out of his mouth had me amazed. “This is why I keep you around. No one gets me on the same level you do.”

“That’s because I have no interest in sleeping with you, so I don’t care about your feelings the same way,” he shared.

For reasons I can’t explain, that comment hit my funny bone, and I laughed the entire way back to the SUV. Stepping up on the foot rail, I let out a shrill whistle, drawing everyone’s attention. “Finish up, and let’s go. We have a lunch date to get to, and I don’t want to keep them waiting.”

Settling into my seat, I felt Darkness pressing close, leaning in to whisper in my ear, “Do you need me?” she asked.

“Let’s start with introductions, but something tells me these men are gonna need to see just what we’re made of,” I answered, taking a slow, deep breath and centering myself. “I say we do this together as a team.”

“We did have fun the last time we teamed up. I’m in,” Darkness decided.

nine

Darkness, having made her choice, stepped back to linger at the edge of my mind. I knew she was there, ready and waiting, but allowed me to remain in control. This development of us being able to communicate and compromise was new, but one I felt was progress. I had yet to reach out to the therapist my grandfather recommended, but I was starting to have hope I could become one whole person.

“Have I told you that you look sexy as hell today?” Braxton asked as he settled next to me in the vehicle. “Lethal in leather is a damn fine look for you.”

I shoved him with my elbow, grinning from ear to ear. “Stop, seriously, just how cheesy can you get?”

“Don’t even act like you hate it. I see you blushing, missy,” Braxton teased then surprised me with a kiss when I was just about to say something. “Sorry, you were simply too pretty to resist.”

A hand appeared, smacking Braxton playfully. “Dude, you need to chill with the bullshit. Your eyes are turning brown,” Hound joked as my other guys took their seats.

Liu knocked on the window between us and the driver, alerting the man we were ready to go. The city itself was busy and bustling until we got into the slums, where the homes were packed together and looked like they’d seen better days. We turned onto a main street with three different bars and one other strip club called the Tasty Tease. Having competition might be why Rhythm & Boobs was struggling so badly. However, I changed my mind as we pulled up to the club.

“This place is a shithole,” Hound announced as we took it all in. “You two got your asses handed to you here? I doubt there are more than five people at this dump.”

Braxton flipped Hound off. “Fuck you, asshole. At night, the place was packed, and apparently, a biker gang likes to use it as a hangout, and they were more than happy to get in on the fight.”

“Well, that will make things a little more interesting,” I commented, still studying the building.

It had a cinder block front painted over in some god-awful tan color with a dark brown wooden awning. A marquee sign flickered the club’s name, but the last two letters of ‘Boobs’ were burned out, creating the name Rhythm & Boo.

“Hell, we might be doing them a favor by burning this place to the ground,” I muttered.

A man exited the club and lit a cigarette before taking up his post next to the door, giving me the impression he might be a bouncer. He wore ripped black jeans with a wrinkled royal blue button-down that looked like he hadn’t washed it in weeks or maybe ever. This only added to my assumption that this place was a front for something else.

“I want every inch of this place searched and gutted,” I ordered. “Keep anyone who seems to be in charge alive, but don’t hesitate to protect yourselves if it comes down to it. They aren’t worth risking your lives over, even if there’s something deeper going on here. One way or another, I’ll figure out what it is.”