CHAPTER THIRTY
BLAZE
I leaned in the bathroom doorway watching Clover run a brush through her hair. She’d already applied her makeup. Watching her get ready captivated me. I could watch her for hours.
Not sure why it drew me. I’d never given a shit before about any woman’s primping routine. Clover was a natural beauty who liked to dress up like a colorful doll. I loved her all ways.
Maybe it was those brief peaceful moments when she focused on her reflection in the mirror that I loved. When she wasn’t frowning or hiding her feelings behind a careful poker face. Being around her brought me a sense of comfort I’d never known. I longed to stay there in that moment in the bathroom all night.
“Are you sure you want to come?” I asked. “It might be dangerous.”
Clover quirked a brow in confusion and turned to face me. “I thought I had to come. You guys don’t want me to stay here alone. Even though Zane is gone and there’s no threat to my safety anymore.”
I hesitated before saying, “There’s always a threat. We have our share of enemies. There are people who would love to get their hands on you. Really fucked up people. I’d rather not take any chances. You can wait in the car.”
Nodding, Clover set the brush down and ran both hands through her hair. Her blonde curls brushed her shoulders, perfectly framing her beautiful face. Her eyes were done in a soft pink, her lips painted a deep purple. She changed up her look by wearing black for a change. The leggings and crop top showed off her figure. Still, it seemed like an odd color choice for her.
“What’s with the black?” I motioned to her outfit.
She gave a little half shrug. “I don’t know. It seemed fitting. Don’t people usually wear dark colors during criminal activity?”
Her innocent expression made me shake my head and laugh. Could she possibly be any more adorable?
I glanced down at my own dark attire. “Yeah, you have a point.”
“Tell me about these dangerous enemies,” she said as we exited the bathroom. “I assume you mean people other than the Gods.”
“Way worse than the Gods. Trust me, you don’t want to know.” I didn’t like thinking about the types of people we’d come across, like Brady and his sick brother. There were some really twisted motherfuckers out there.
We descended the stairs and entered the kitchen to find Daire and Cash standing at the island. Daire’s head snapped up from his phone. “You’re sure the drop time is midnight? You’re totally sure and there’s no way you’re mistaken?”
He fixated on Clover, his stare boring into her. We’d fucked with the Gods before. I didn’t know why he’d be so uptight about it.
“Yeah, that’s what Raina said. Midnight. In the parking lot of that old liquor store that shut down a few months ago.” Clover stared blankly back at Daire. “That’s what I heard when she discussed it with Havoc.”
Daire glanced at the time on his phone. “We should probably get going soon then. I’d like to get there before they do.”
“Are you sure we should bring Clover?” Cash rubbed the stubble on his chin, eyeing her uncertainly. “Things might get violent.”
“They will definitely get violent. I wouldn’t want it any other way.” A sly grin spread across Daire’s face. “Clover will be fine. I don’t trust her here alone.”
Clover’s face morphed into a scowl. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means that you’re coming with us, and that’s the end of it.” Shoving his phone into his jeans pocket, Daire rounded the island, coming to a stop in front of Clover. He cupped her chin in a hand, holding tight when she tried to pull away. “Do whatever we tell you. Be a good girl, and we’ll make sure you know how much we appreciate you when we get home.”
He held her face as he kissed her. Even though sharing her with my two best friends came easy, in that moment, I wanted to rip him away from her. I’d wanted her first. She would always be mine before she was theirs.
I didn’t know what it was about Clover that made me want to both hurt her and protect her. To make her cry and beg while also killing anyone else who dared to do such things. She was special. A good girl on the outside and a dirty whore on the inside. Her pussy loved the shit we did to her. Although she’d probably never admit it.
Five minutes later, we were in Daire’s blacked out car on our way to the abandoned liquor store. Clover sat in the back with Cash who teased and tickled her. The melodic laughter from the backseat warmed me. Clover was exactly what we didn’t know we’d been missing all this time.
We reached the liquor store twenty minutes before midnight. The building sat empty and dark. The parking lot wrapped around the side of the building to the back where the store previously had deliveries dropped off. Daire backed into a spot next to a dumpster, using it to help hide the car.
Then we waited.
Anticipation sang through me. Although it wasn’t quite as exciting as handing out a beatdown to some deserving jackass, rumbling with the Gods was always a good time. I’d grown to enjoy the back and forth conflict between our groups. One day it would be our last confrontation. Until then I’d keep enjoying the hell out of each one.
Daire drummed his fingers on the wheel, watching the clock. He always approached these encounters with a stiffness that I didn’t appreciate. He was so focused on the outcome that he never enjoyed the process.
“Lighten up, man.” I nudged him, earning myself an annoyed glare. “Have some fun with it. No need to be so serious.”
“Maybe you should be more serious, Blaze,” he admonished. “We’re here to steal from the mob. Have you forgotten that part?”
With a roll of my eyes, I settled back in my seat, waiting to see headlights. My leg bounced with pent up energy.
Finally, the clock struck midnight. Right on schedule, two sets of headlights turned into the lot straight ahead. What I didn’t expect was two more sets to follow. I sat up straighter. Maybe this was a bigger drop than we’d realized.
Suddenly headlights flashed on to our left. A car raced toward us, sliding to a stop in front, blocking us in place. A second car joined it. There were now six vehicles, all of which quickly surrounded us.
What in the fuck was going on?
The Gods got out of the car in front of us. All three of them aimed a gun at our car. When Raina got out after them, I knew we’d been set up. She never came to these drops.
“Clover, what did you do?” I turned to look at her, to demand answers.
My door was jerked open, a gun shoved in my face. Gage barked, “Get out of the car. All of you. Now. Don’t fucking try anything unless you want your brains splattered all over the pavement.”
At least a dozen men exited the other vehicles. They were all mobsters like the Gods, and all of them were packing. We were so fucked.
Havoc opened Daire’s door and dragged him out before cold cocking him with the gun he held. Daire went down hard, catching himself before his face hit the ground.
I glanced at the glove box where we had a gun of our own. Not worth the risk. We were severely outnumbered. When Gage told me to get out, I did as instructed.
Once all three of us were out of the car, Raina darted forward to grab Clover. She pulled her from Daire’s car, wrapping an arm tight around her shoulders.
“Everything is okay now,” Raina said. “You’ll be safe with us. We’ll get your things from their house while they’re occupied.”
“Are you fucking kidding me, Clover?” Daire’s shout echoed through the night. “You fucking set us up?”
Clover turned toward us, her face crumpling as tears slid down her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know what else to do. It’s not good for me to be with you guys anymore. It’s better for all of us this way.” To Raina she said, “Promise me they won’t be hurt.”
I let Gage shove me face down on the ground next to Daire. My chest was tight and my throat constricted as I searched for words. I had nothing. The woman I’d claimed as my own had just sold me out.