21. Torin
TWENTY-ONE
torin
She’s in flight-or-fight mode.
Kicking at my shins and digging her nails into my skin, even though she knows who it is.
And I can’t help how my cock hardens at how she squirms and moves against my body.
I didn’t believe it, never thought I was like this, but I’m just like my brother. Ramsey loves the struggle, the fear he puts in someone when he’s about to end their life.
And I’m not about to do that just yet until I know her plans.
Plus, it would only rain a war on The Landings if I kill Levi’s precious piece of ass.
“We’re only going to talk for a second, baby. Chill—” Her elbow suddenly rams into my ribs, reminding me that she brawls and gets results.
I’ve already been the punching bag for her before; I need to stop underestimating her so much.
Especially after finding out that she’s Emilio’s daughter.
That fucks me over.
Not because I want his legacy or his money. I can do away with all that. I’ve built what I have with my own hands.
However, she’s going to get in my fucking way with the Titan seat.
Spinning Bay around, I slam her spine into my SUV parked down the dirt road and sandwich her against the door.
Memories flood my head, how she used to be sweet and gentle, now she wants to kill me.
“I said chill the fuck out.” I feel her teeth trying to sink into my fingers, causing me to tighten my hold. “If you don’t stop, I’m going to go back and put a bullet in Wallace myself.”
I swear to fucking God, I hear her scoff, and it only pisses me off.
As if he’s better than me and I stand no chance, even though I’ve been holding him off for years.
“You need a fucking reminder?” She taps on my hand to allow her to speak, but I don’t trust her. “You scream, I’m going to hit you.”
She nods slowly, and I release her lips, just for her to allow a blood-curdling cry to leave her throat.
My palm promptly finds her mouth again, my free one to wrapping around her throat.
“What the hell did I just say?” I leer through a growl. “Do you want to die?”
Her knee comes up, but I’m privy to that trick already, and there’s only one way to get full control over her.
Listening for anything coming down the way from Wallace and his boys, I’m not stupid enough to think just because he’s quiet, that he’s not on his way over here right now.
“Pay attention, sweetheart, because I’m only going to say this one time. You don’t belong on my side. You’re not family. Emilio Wildes is going to use you, and you’re not going to become buddy-buddy with him to tear what I’ve built down. I find you at his house on Friday, you’re going to wish you hadn’t. Keep testing me…I’m not the same teenage boy who wanted only to fuck you. I’ll fuck and destroy you. Do you understand me?”
She only stares at me and doesn’t move.
“I’m going to take that as a yes.”
Bay mutters something under my skin, and I ease up a bit to test out what’s going to leave her mouth now. “Don’t threaten me, Pretty Boy.”
“I’m promising you, baby. Stay the fuck out of my town. Things have changed. Don’t urge on Emilio. He’ll get over it.”
“ You tell him that,” she snaps back. “I don’t want anything to do with him.”
“That’s a good girl.” I brush my thumb across her soft cheek, knowing that she and I are as good as dead if I pursue this—her. I don’t have time for it. Yet, she needs to know I’m not playing around here. “I don’t want to find you again.”
“But here you are.”
God, she’s so fucking beautiful.
And this is a bitch.
I’ve spent years trying to nab up this girl, just for her to be dating my enemy and now she’s Daddy’s long lost little daughter.
And she hates me, so that’s not going to play out in my favor at all.
“You’re a hard-headed little fuck,” I reply, observant that Bay hasn’t taken her gaze off me. “I have to do shit the hard way with you. It’s the only way you seem to understand.”
“I wish you wouldn’t. Because nothing that you have that’s hard interests me.”
My lips curl. “Yeah, you’ve said that already.”
I try to keep my body in check, but it buzzes every time I’m around her. I could have her right now if I wanted to. Bay might put up a front on how much she can’t stand me, but I remember it all.
I recall her soft body against mine and how she desired me.
How she wished for me over De Leon because, I’ve said it before, I would’ve treated her a million times better.
“You need to leave, Torin.”
“I know.”
Bay pries her face from my touch, and I allow her that. “You have to stop doing this. Do I have to have Levi throw a hit on your ass?”
“I’m surprised you haven’t yet.” I cock my head. “Why is that, baby?”
“ Stop callin’ me that.”
“You didn’t mind it a few years ago when your wet pussy was on my fingers.”
She shifts her weight. “I was stupid…as hell.”
“And horny. I know Matteo wasn’t taking good care of you.” For the first time, she averts her eyes, and my gut clenches a tad, because I know I caused hell for her. “What did he do?”
“I think the better answer is what you should do,” she whispers. “Because Levi is standing right behind you.”
“No, he’s not.” Because he would’ve shot me already. “But nice try.”
“ Bay !”
And right on cue, Wallace’s voice rings out at least forty yards away, prompting my instincts to kick in.
“Like I said…” I lean closer to her, smelling watermelon off her soft skin. “Keep yourself out of The Landings?—”
“I’ll do whatever I want,” she leers. “And you’re going to do well to stop seeking me out to warn me about shit you have no control over.”
“You want my spot? You’re not gonna get it. And Emilio is going to hurt you, Bay.”
“I wouldn’t need Emilio to grab your town, and I’m not going to come around.”
My face clenches. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
She smiles at me, displaying the first sign of confidence during this whole conversation. “Find out.”
“Is that the first shot, baby? You’re going to war with me?”
“I like your friend,” she says instead. “Reeve, was it? I bet I can flip him over to my side pretty quick.”
A mirthless chuckle rumbles in my chest, because they would never happen. She might be gorgeous, that dark hair of hers alluding to the fact that she’s grown up and wiser to the world, but she doesn’t know my boys. “Going for the jugular there, huh?”
“You men are weak.”
“Don’t make me test your weakness here, Astor. I wouldn’t mind trying out how hard I can press your buttons so you listen to me.”
“ Bay !”
“Run along, Wildes.” She waves a dismissive hand in the air. “I’ll give you five seconds to take off before I call the dogs on you.”
“You wouldn’t?—”
“Right here!” she yells. “Torin Wildes—” I yank her from my SUV and against my chest.
“ Don’t come to dinner Friday night. You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into.”
“You’re right,” she sneers. “I don’t. But I’m fully aware of what happens when you’re around.”
I shake my head. “You don’t know me anymore.”
“I wish I didn’t know you at all.”
My cover is already blown, and I don’t have time to continue going back and forth with her. Not only that, but she blurted my name, and it’s only going to get Wallace to speed up here in no time.
Releasing her, I’m only with my ass in the driver’s seat before a bullet hits my windshield.
Ducking, I start the car, and throw it in reverse.
So, this is how we’re gonna play it.
Bay Astor obviously needs to learn a lesson.
And I know exactly how to teach it.