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Bronx comes over to me. Slides into the spot Golden vacated. “Do you think she’s thought about using them on Sonatina yet?”

“I have no doubt.”

“I’d love to see that. Sonatina deserves it.”

I would love to stand by, cheering my Little Vandal on, and then find a way to make the problems that would cause go away.

“Yeah, but I don’t want our girl to end up behind bars.” My voice comes out rough and low. That’s been the whole fucking point of me putting up with Sonatina. “Which would be the case. And you know it.”

“I wouldn’t want to be the one who tells her that she can’t fuck Sonatina up.” He leans against the wall next to me. “I wouldn’t want to be between them at all.”

“I don’t know what else I’m supposed to do.” I need to protect Kelsey from Sonatina. That’s more important than ever now I’m aware of the lengths Sonatina went to, setting her up.

“Well.” He gets up and snags his own brew before sitting down again. He twists off the lid, squeezes it in his palm until it folds in half and drops it on the table. “You’d better work it out, man. The longer it takes...”

“I’m trying.” One way or another, Sonatina’s time is running out. Either I find dirt or... I will find some other way.

19

Kelsey

Golden stands next to me. He has his hands in the pocket of his hoodie and his shoulders up near his ears. I’ve always felt comfortable around my Golden boy, but this just feels awkward.

I twirl my new chunky ring around my finger. “You have good taste in jewelry.”

“Gotta make sure my favorite girl can protect herself.” He drags his hand through his hair, and it immediately falls back into place. “I don’t know what I would have done if we hadn’t found you. I don’t know what any of us would have done... hopefully this way you have a fighting chance if you’re ever in that kind of situation again.”

“I can throw a punch.” I face him. “And now it’s going to hit extra hard.”

“I’d be happier if you would take an online self-defense class. I can be your partner. Just... don’t hit me in the nuts.” He looks like he’s going to be sick, but it passes instantly. “Do you want to hit me in the nuts? Will you forgive me for being such a dope if I let you? I can’t even believe I entertained the idea that you could... well, you know.”

“Yeah, I was angry. You’re my people... my friend. You’re who I turn to for girl talk. Who I hobby with. How many times have we spilled our guts to each other while getting facials? And you just... decided I could be that kind of person. That really hurt.” I touch his chest. “But you’re my Golden boy. And I can’t stay mad at you when all you’ve done since I’ve come back is look after me.”

He covers my hand with his. Bumps his forehead gently against mine as he exhales like his soul has been holding onto one breath for weeks. “Thank you, Special K.”

“I adore you,” I tell him.

“Right back at you,” he says, his gaze glued to mine. It drops to my lips before coming back up.

Mine drops to his mouth. I scrape my teeth over my bottom lip. Awareness builds under my skin. His pupils dilate.

Our mouths collide. I put my hands around his neck while he puts his under my skirt to cup my ass. I’m lifted up as our tongues clash. My legs go around his hips and my core clenches with the need to be filled.

His hard cock pushes against my panties. I tug at his hoodie, but I can’t get it up his torso in this position.

Lowering me to the floor, he drags it and his shirt up in one fluid move. It’s tossed somewhere behind him. I’m not paying attention as I shimmy my panties down my legs and off my feet. He’s a lanky man, but there is so much definition in the lines and ridges of his abs and the cut lines that lead down to his cock. Gotta love that arrow.

Dropping his sweats, he kicks them off. Of course he isn’t wearing any underwear. And that cock... His stature is not big like the others. But he sure makes up for it.

He snags a condom, rips it open and rolls it on.

I drop my top on the floor with my panties. Reach for my skirt.

He scoops me up and I scramble to get my legs around him again. As soon as I do, he thrusts all the way in.

Placing his hands on my ass, he drags me up and down his thick cock while he kisses me stupid. “Fuck, Special K. This pussy... it’s tight.”

“Pretty sure...” I whimper. “You’re thick.”