24. Cairo
TWENTY-FOUR
cairo
Bay in my arms is almost like nothing that’s ever happened or is happening is going on. Her face is nestled into the crook of my neck, shaking in my hold while trying to steady her breathing against the column of my neck. Those lips dangerously close from my just turning my head to take them.
She doesn’t know how to swim.
That much was obvious when I just caught the splash and nothing popping up seconds later over the water.
Matteo De Leon, the stupid fucker, couldn’t get her attention any other way, so he shoves her into a pool? I always knew he was just a ghetto-ass motherfucker with a large ego and not enough brains to handle his own shit. Now he’s ramping up for my Titan seat, but I don’t believe that’s the only thing happening here.
The obvious Bay Astor is available wave has reached his ears. She’s been seen with one of us on several occasions, which means he believes she’s a liability or something we want for ourselves.
That may be true for two of the three of us.
My main focus is my seat and so should his. Apparently, his ego is obviously soaring at sky-high rates because he’s not gonna just punch me and I go down.
No, his rules are either someone dies or the other one is a cripple for life at the end of our battle.
The motherfucker is either stupid or insane. And right now, his victim is in my arms hyperventilating into a near panic attack as I stride inside Emilio’s house with various eyes on me.
I’m carrying a girl from South Shore.
I’m putting everything on the line by touching her like this. Giving a flying fuck about her because touching her is claiming her in front of these assholes. And Vivian is gonna be in my text messages with this shit.
Lucky me.
“Don’t know how to swim, eh, Little Terror?” I ask, keeping my tone light as I walk through the French doors.
She doesn’t answer me as I kick open a door moments later to one of the offices, a plush couch ready for me to place her on and calm her down.
I just threatened I was going to kill this girl, given the chance, and now I’m saving her.
Eh, Torin and Reeve would’ve been pissed if you watched.
Just like you did with Vivian.
Gently placing Bay onto the couch, her legs come up to curl her into a ball on her side. Her nearly black hair sticking to her face and covering those sky blues that get me caught up sometimes.
“Hey”—I drop down to my haunches and scoop underneath a thick patch of locks that are blanketing those eyes—“you’re alright now.”
She keeps her arms crossed against her chest as if she’s clinging to herself to become tranquil and I don’t like seeing her like this.
In fact, it’s disturbing.
Bay isn’t a basic bitch who was born in the suburbs. She’s cocky and head-strong, knows how to live in a world that isn’t so black-and-white but learn as you go. South Shore isn’t a walk in the park, not that it’s one of the most dangerous places in the world, it’s not. Their poverty rate and economy are now coming up on their own, thanks to the shipping yard. There’s a lot of work to be done still since Penn Northcott was turned in by Emilio, but it can be done, and I want to help it with my brothers at my side.
“Bay…” She looks at my chest and keeps staring at it. “You think we’d let you drown?”
“Yes.” It’s a whisper, one that sounds vulnerable and broken. It also does some fucked thing to my chest, like someone pulled a muscle in it or something.
“If I needed shit worked out”—I try to give her a weak smile, but I’m anything but happy. Actually, I’m pissed. And I want another hit on Matteo’s face before we start going at it for real for the Titan spot—“I wouldn’t have had that prick De Leon do it.”
She averts her gaze from me, and I press on.
“Matteo knows that you can’t swim, doesn’t he?” She’s stone-cold somber, and I have to remind myself that I’m the enemy. She doesn’t trust me, and I sure as fuck don’t trust her. If the boys keep this up—shit, no I’ve already lost Reeve to this.
To her.
He’s head over heels, drooling every second at just the mere mention of her name. And I believe I’m losing Torin by the second.
“He used to hold my head underwater and take bets with his buddies,” she says, barely over a whisper. Those blues appear cast away, reliving everything she’s been through with him. “Thought it was a cool new gambling game. Made some pretty good money from it.”
My brows furrow at her declaration and that she’d even give it to me. She owes me nothing but to stay on her side of the black line that divides us. And she doesn’t and hasn’t earned my respect yet.
Nor I hers.
I keep her at arm’s length, where it’s safe for me. Where I don’t start creating ideas of joining this little harem that my brothers and her seem to be forming.
However, that piece of information nails down the small piece in me that has sisters and hates the way her voice just slightly broke.
I want to ask her if Levi beat his ass. How she got out of that situation, but I refrain. It’s not my business and she’s far from my problem.
“Maybe it’s your karma for pushing Vivian off the yacht.”
Her light little scoff illustrates how much of a fuck she could give about what I think happened and what she deserves. “Yeah, you looked extremely upset about that.”
“Vivian is mine to worry about. You didn’t need to insert yourself.”
“Then fuck off to her, then. No one asked you to help me.” She slices those sharp eyes to me, screaming at me to do just that.
However, I’d have to give two shits about what she wants for me to do for me to up and leave.
In fact, there are some things I want to know. I solve problems. I watch everything around me. I don’t go off with a temper but smarts. I’m the balance between my brothers and me. My job is to make sure no one within my realm is used again.
Not after what happened to my brother.
Not when I didn’t see what was happening around me, too blind by Vivian and stupid to see it.
And Bay, whether I wished it or not, she’s around.
“What does Matteo have to gain by shoving you in water?”
She slowly pushes herself up in a sitting position, ready to flee. “We’re asking questions now?”
Yeah, we are.
Because while my head is semi-clear, I’ll be the one to determine what all this shit is.
Haunching down, I pry her legs apart through the wet material of her dress, and settle myself between them. She’s not going anywhere until I have something I’m satisfied with.
I gain her full attention, blues boring deep into my face with a few notches of irritation and warnings.
Bay Astor isn’t intimidated by me.
In fact, she likes to challenge me. And I shouldn’t be kneeling between her pretty thighs and asking questions she’s not gonna tell me.
“You need something, Cai?” She lifts a brow and bores her pretty blues deeper into my face. “I’m not open for you to fuck.”
That’s the thing, she could be if I wanted it.
“You seem to forget where you are,” I vouch. “And you can bitch, complain, act sweet, or promise to suck my dick. However, there is no need for it here. I have all that covered, but thanks for asking.”
“What the fuck do you want?”
“The answer to my question.” My palm lands on her upper thighs to keep her grounded to the soft couch underneath her. “Did South Shore and De Leon have some sort of alliance?”
Her brows pinch, but it’s not the stupidest thing I’ve done or said tonight. Shoreline Peaks is South Shore’s closest neighbor to the east, so it’d be the smartest thing for Matteo to do. Yet, I haven’t heard of them merging or teaming up on anything.
Bay leans back, spine hitting the plush cushions behind her and crosses her arms along her soaked chest. “Just because I was dating Levi, doesn’t mean I was sitting in on meetings and deals.”
“So he told you nothing under the sheets?” I watch her expression, looking for anything that might give away any small detail.
“ I’ve told you guys a million times, I’m not part of a fuckin’ gang.” She shoves my hands off her legs and I, being the shithead I am, place them right back there.
“Pretty Little Terror, I’m the calmest out of the three of us so I’m going to ask you nicely what you plan on doing with my boys.”
“Your boys?” She heaves a brow. “Let me guess, you think I’m here to demolish the whole order here. That I’m going to spread my pussy”—she pries her legs wider, getting my hands to slide down on the side of her thigh just above her knees—“and take it.”
Two can play this game.
And I also have two active players here that would be more than willing to manipulate any plans she has.
She could be here to play us. She also could be here because Emilio dragged her ass. It’s too gray, and I’m all about color.
The big picture.
And this can be easily solved tonight.
I didn’t want to force her hand since Emilio has been doing that all on his own. If I do what I’m thinking, it also throws more of a target on our heads. Wallace is going to print pictures of our faces and use them for aiming. However, one bullet in our direction and that could flatly announce a war that neither of us is quite ready for.
And would he do it over a woman he publicly humiliated and shunned as a whore?
Levi has a lot of pride. He demands respect at every turn. He’s also a good leader. Putting his town at risk over Bay Astor wouldn’t be the best move no matter how much he got into his feelings over it.
“You don’t have to take anything,” I tell her, rising from my spot and towering over her. Because I’m going to do that for her. “I’ll grab you some towels to dry off with.”
You’re going to need them.
“I’m fine,” she counters. “You can go.”
“Just so we’re clear…” She peers up at me when I don’t continue. “We won’t be making any moves on South Shore unless Wallace starts it. You can believe that, or shove it away as bullshit, but I’m not going to feed you lies when I have better shit to do.”
“Then why don’t you go do just that.”
“Because I’m not a complete prick. You look as though you’re freezing.”
“I didn’t just come off the Titanic.”
I shrug. “Maybe not. But you hit an iceberg tonight, didn’t you? Matteo wants you for something. You might not know what that is, but I bet it’s because Wallace tossed you to the wayside and threw a sign up on you that said free .”
She bristles at that. “Thanks for the insight. Now, get the fuck away from me.”
“Get used to me, Little Terror. Remember when I said you needed a friend all those years ago, and that we didn’t get to pick them? After tonight, you’re mine.”
“We’re not friends,” she retorts sharply before a shiver shakes her whole body. “However, let me give you a little piece of advice. You better watch it. He plays dirty.”
She means Matteo and the Titan seat.
“I expect him to,” I reply. “De Leon was always a fucking cunt.”
She doesn’t look amused. “All over a chair.”
“A very powerful chair. One that Wharf Bay needs.”
“Stupid.”
“Well, we’re men, Bay. Would you expect anything different?” She scoffs, averting her eyes elsewhere. “You’re welcome for saving your life. And no need to get upset. I’m not planning a thing unless South Shore makes a move first.”
“And I’d believe you because…”
I shrug. “I guess there isn’t a reason to.”
She opens her mouth, brows pinched, but Reeve beats her ass to it when he comes ambling in the room, bee-lining right to her from my peripheral.
And I’m about to make him the happiest motherfucker alive.
Because she’s staying with us.
“McQueen, are you alright?”
And here comes the lovesick puppy.
Bay doesn’t move to greet Reeve, staring up at me with challenge that if I don’t do what she says, she’s going to attempt to make me. I’m curious to see how she’s going to make that happen.
However, Reeve plops down at her side, grips her jaw softly and twists her face toward him. “You okay, baby?” He shoves back some of the hair away from her ears. “He’s fucking dead. ”
She hands him a sweet smile and rocks her head, displaying how she got him to fall head over heels in lust for her. “I’m fine. Don’t worry about it.”
“Fuck that,” he clips out. “He touched what’s mine. He’s fucking dead.”
“Reeve—”
“He’s right,” Torin announces, coming to my side and looking her over. “A little lesson needs to be taught.”
“ A little lesson that we’re not going to get around to in the near future because we don’t have the time ,” I mutter, half- ass signing with my hands so he doesn’t miss what I’m saying. “However, we’re gonna keep her close.”
Bay’s head snaps up to me. “Excuse me? I’m not remaining close to you, when all you do is glower at me with your attitude problem and?—”
“I’ll watch you,” Reeve retorts. “Don’t sweat it, McQueen. You’re safe with us.”
“I’m not.” She pulls her face from his grip. “Reeve, Levi is going to?—”
My best friend actually rolls his eyes at her. “Baby, you’d already be dead. And that means we’d rain on him.”
Bay just stares at him like he’s insane over him wanting to go to bat for her. Except, what she doesn’t know, is that he’s the most loyal ass clown she’ll ever meet.
The clanking of dog collars, followed by panting filling the room, and Kona and Koda nudge their way between Reeve and his damsel in distress to seize her ultimate attention and she freezes.
“What the fuck is that?” she solicits, her hands in the air as she squeezes her eyes shut. “Just slit my throat if you want to kill me.”
“What are you talkin’ about?” Torin drones. “They’re not going to attack you unless told to.” That does nothing to have her open her eyes and I nudge Torin to get his pets off the fucking couch. “Koda, Kona, down.”
The Rots follow his direction immediately, but they sit right at her knees, vicious dogs that have their pink tongues out and begging for her notice.
“Baby, the dogs aren’t going to hurt you.”
“I can’t,” she whispers, fear etched in her tone. “Please, take them away.”
Reeve steals a look at me, brows furrowed because we’re thinking the same thing.
Matteo De Leon.
“Come,” Torin instructs, removing the dogs from her feet, but not the room. He’s going to force her to come to terms with what we said. That they’re not going to harm her in any way and get over her fear.
I check out Reeve, staring at her as if she’s going to shatter into a million pieces right before his eyes and then Torin who’s fixedly looking at her like he doesn’t know what to do with himself.
And I never thought I would say this but I’m so glad I have a mission of my own with the Titan seat because if I looked half as desperate and lost as these two dumbasses I’d off my damn self.
“Why do they both act like you don’t get any attention?” she asks, pulling her chin up to look over at Torin with her eyes finally open. “Do you lock them in a kennel all day or something?”
“No,” he deadpans.
“They have too much energy,” she points out as if the dogs are lacking anything. They’re not, they eat better than most people. “They act like they’re locked up all day.”
“They only go running with me every morning.”
Bay perks a doubtful brow at him before Kona slowly moves forward, still panting away and demanding satisfaction in attention.
“Will they bite me?”
Fuck.
Now I know why these two fuckers want to protect her. Bay is too much of everything. Too beautiful, too smart, too independent, and too mouthy. All things I don’t mind in a woman, actually prefer, and that looming thought in my brain about her planting herself in the middle of us is starting to dwindle.
“No,” Torin replies softly. “They’ll lick you to death, though.”
Reeve reaches out for Kona before the dog runs the top of his head under his palm. “See, baby, no worries.”
Slowly, she mocks Reeve’s actions, holding out her hand to which Kona takes full advantage, giving her a few licks and rubbing up against it.
Bay squeals out in surprise, and my brothers…yeah, they don’t know what to do with themselves when she’s in our house, with our dogs, already over her traumatic pool adventure and comfortable on our couch.
“ I’m going to go grab her some fucking towels ,” I tell Torin, because Reeve is the one of the biggest man whores in the planet. And ever since Bay Astor…he’s became a born-again virgin.