CHAPTER TWELVE
STRAY
Codie gaped at me. Shocked. Dramatic as fuck. She knew exactly what she was doing when she started flirting with this idiot. Now she was going to sit there and pretend she was innocent. This girl was manipulative as hell.
That didn’t stop me from dragging Danny to his feet by his shirt. I gave him a shove, raising both my hands. “Let’s go. Are you just going to stand there and look stupid?”
Confusion furrowed his brow. He glanced at Codie, seeking an explanation. She sat there in stunned silence, not saying a word.
“What’s your problem, man?” he asked, shoving me back.
“Right now my problem is you. I really didn’t want to have to do this. Apparently, I need to make it known. Codie Edwards is off limits.” I followed up by slamming my fist into his face.
Codie let out a little shriek, leaping off the bench as Danny fell toward it. He caught himself, coming back at me with a heavy fist. As stars exploded behind my eyes, I inwardly cursed my devious little vixen.
I hadn’t meant to acknowledge her tonight.
After how stone-cold she’d been at the grocery store, I’d decided to let her sit and stew in her own nasty vibes for a while.
It was obvious to me that Codie put up a front.
She wanted to seem like a tough bitch to keep me at a distance.
I knew it was an act. But I could act too.
I’d intended to act like an aloof jerk, ignoring her existence.
Then this jock motherfucker made his move.
Fights were a common occurrence at our parties. I’d enjoyed myself several times in the past, throwing a few good punches and taking some as well. Not over a woman though. I’d never met one worth fighting for.
Is that what I was doing? Fighting for Codie? Son of a bitch.
Danny had several pounds on me. I kept myself in great shape, but I was no football player. When the large bastard tackled me to the ground, my breath escaped in a whoosh as pain shot through my spine. Maybe if this dick broke me in half Codie would be happy.
Not that I planned to let that happen. People began to gather, drawing close enough to watch the fight without getting in the way. I was vaguely aware of Rebel shouting for me to fuck this guy up. Thanks for the encouragement, bro. Trying to not get my head punched in here.
“I didn’t know she was seeing anyone,” Danny snarled, his heavy fist landing on my face over and over.
“There’s a lot you don’t know about her.” I caught his next punch, twisting his arm until he yelped with pain. “Let’s keep it that way.”
Taking advantage of his pain, I rolled us over so I was on top and began to drop shot after shot into his face. Someone grabbed me from behind, dragging me off him. I jerked free of them, landing a kick in Danny’s ribs as he struggled to his feet.
Aware of Codie watching with a hand over her mouth, I grabbed Danny by the hair and slammed his face into my knee. He managed to get an elbow up, nailing me right in the nose. Fuck that hurt.
Danny’s injured arm prevented him from hitting me hard enough to matter. That’s when his football player buddies stepped in, pulling us apart. Rebel and Casper were quick to insert themselves into the situation.
Rebel was a loudmouth, demanding that the football players keep their hands off me and get the hell out of our party. Like usual, Casper didn’t say a word. He didn’t need to. His violent aura spoke loud enough.
Blood dripped from my nose and split bottom lip. Maybe other places. Once the commotion died down, I stormed over to Codie, grabbing her arm, dragging her with me into the trees. I had a few words for her. We needed to be alone for this.
Her eyes were wide. She blinked furiously as she took in the damage done to my face. My back ached as well. That was nothing a few drinks wouldn’t fix.
“Are you happy?” I pulled her close, making sure she got a good look at my face. “Don’t manipulate me like that again, Codie. Not unless you’re willing to pay the price.”
The small patio lanterns hanging from the trees to light the party didn’t quite reach us. Codie pulled out her phone, using the flashlight to scrutinize my injuries. I squinted against the bright light, jerking the phone from her grasp and turning off the light.
She dug around in her small purse, producing a tiny packet of tissue. “Why would you ask me that? Do you think I wanted you to fight? You chose to do that all on your own.”
She pulled out a tissue, dabbing the blood on my lip before wiping the stains from my nose. Her actions took me by surprise. There was something caring and attentive about the way she gently wiped my face. A direct contrast to the way she usually acted toward me.
“What are you doing?” Still amped up from the fight, I snatched the tissue from her hand.
“What does it look like? Trying to clean you up. We should probably find some ice for your nose.” Slapping my hand, she snatched the tissue right back. “You don’t have to be so difficult about it.”
Damn right I did. She brought this entire situation on herself. I strongly considered spanking her ass until she couldn’t sit down.
“Don’t give me that shit. Do you think that I didn’t see you sneaking peeks at me while you flirted with that meathead?
You wanted a reaction, strawberry, and you got one.
Don’t pretend you’re not satisfied as hell.
And don’t think I’m not going to find a fun way to punish you for this.
” Breathing in her fruity scent made me want to take a bite out of her.
I didn’t trust the way she made me feel, especially when I was all worked up like this.
I didn’t trust how much I wanted to hurt her.
To get her on her knees, begging and crying.
Codie eyed me uncertainly, clutching the tissue in her fist. There was a slyness to her voice when she asked, “What are you going to do, Stray? Spank me again? Maybe drug my drink yourself this time and have your way with me?”
I knew she was trying to feel me out. To figure out how far she’d pushed me this time. She didn’t need to know. Not yet.
Clutching a handful of her hair, I dragged her close, brushing my bloody lip against hers. “One thing I can promise you, Codie, is that the first time I fuck you, you will be completely sober, and you will remember every goddamn second.”
Maybe it was the fire in my voice or the dark promise in every single word. Codie jerked away from me with a gasp. Spinning on a heel, she darted from the trees, not stopping until she reached two of her friends.
That was fine. I’d said all I had to say for now.
I emerged from the trees as well, joining Casper and Dom. Auryn was nowhere to be seen, most likely hooking up with one of the many girls vying for our attention. Rebel had returned to Storm. The two of them snuck off into the forest together.
Dom, Casper, and I leaned against the church, drinking and watching the party. I needed to remove myself from the festivities and watch from the sidelines. A few shots of tequila helped take the edge off the pain but did little to dull my fury.
“When did you start fucking that chick?” Dom nodded in Codie’s direction. She stood on the other side of the graveyard, talking with Luna and Ripley.
“I haven’t yet.” I pulled a joint from the small tin in my pocket and lit up. Maybe this would help calm me down.
Dom laughed, turning to better face me. “Are you kidding me? You haven’t even gotten in her pants yet and you’re throwing punches for her? Who are you and what have you done with Stray?”
Casper laughed silently, making a whip motion. I punched him in the arm.
“Very funny. The girl is a bit of a freak. I found out a few things about her, a few fantasies she has that I intend to fulfill in every way and then some. We have an arrangement.” I didn’t want to share too much.
What Codie and I had going on was between the two of us.
These jackasses would never let me hear the end of it if they knew the truth.
“What kind of a freak?” Casper signed. “Do tell.”
“Fuck no. You guys don’t need to know shit. I’m a gentleman. I can keep a secret.” I should’ve known better than to make a claim like that.
Dominik erupted into mocking laughter while Casper looked at me in disbelief, his lips curving into a grin. His hands moved almost too fast for me to follow as he signed, “Bullshit. This coming from the guy who told us immediately after you fucked that chick who called you daddy.”
“This is different. I didn’t care about that chick.” The moment the words left my lips I knew it was too late to snatch them back. Now they would really bust my balls.
The two of them exchanged a look. Dom opened his mouth to let me have it but was interrupted by the cheerleader that dared to approach. A petite blonde with a high ponytail and a short skirt, she was cute enough. She flashed a shy smile at my friends before turning her full attention on me.
“Hey, Stray, how’s it going? That was a pretty crazy fight. You look like you could use a little TLC.” She touched my arm, running her fingers along my bicep.
Under normal circumstances, this would be all it took to get me between her legs. She certainly wouldn’t be the first cheerleader I’d fucked. Unfortunately, I had no interest.
I glanced over her shoulder to where Codie stood in the distance. As much as she tried to pretend she didn’t give a shit about me, she watched like a hawk. For the first time in a long time, I only wanted one girl. One dark haired beauty with a kink I couldn’t wait to explore.
“Thanks but I’m getting all the TLC I need right here.” I held up my drink and my joint. “Maybe some other time.”
The cheerleader kept her painted on smile perfectly fixed in place. My rejection probably meant little to her. No doubt she would move on to the next guy. “No problem. Let me know if you change your mind. I’ll be around.”
At least my asshole friends waited for her to get out of earshot before they let me have it.
Dom slapped me on the chest, letting out a bark of laughter.
“Did you just turn down a sure thing? What is going on with you, dude? I’m starting to think you were abducted by aliens and have been replaced with a clone. ”
Casper shook his head, like he couldn’t process what he’d just witnessed. He signed, “Codie must be one hell of a freak for you to turn down pussy.”
The two of them continued to let me have it, amusing themselves while I waited for them to get bored and move on to a new subject. Thanks to Venom, that new subject became them.
The three of them, Noah, Damon, and Colt stood near the keg in the middle of the graveyard.
They had a lot of balls showing their faces here.
Since the night Rebel had killed their leader, they’d dared to make a few appearances at our parties.
Like they wanted to remind us that the rest of them still existed, and they weren’t going anywhere.
I strongly suspected they were hatching a revenge plot.
That eventually they would make their move against us.
There had always been bad blood between our two groups.
Killing River Harris had taken things to the next level.
Even though the rest of them had yet to do anything about it, I sensed that it was coming.
“What the fuck are they doing here?” Dominik’s humor faded. “We should kick their asses out.”
He glared hard in their direction, his gaze locked on Noah. I wasn’t up for another fight tonight myself. It was unlikely that they would do anything here in front of all these people.
“Go hard,” I said. “I’m sure Casper will back you up. I’m out though. I’ve taken enough punches for one night. Besides, I don’t think they’ll try anything. Not tonight.”
Casper shrugged, like he was good with it either way. Dom seemed to have enough seething hatred for all of us.
“I don’t trust them.” He sucked hard on a cigarette, his gaze never wavering. “We should find Rebel.”
I didn’t trust them either, but until they made a move, I had more important concerns. “Rebel is in the woods, probably banging his fiancée. Maybe you should do the same, Dom. Find someone to hook up with and relax a little.”
He muttered something about beating some ass. Dominik didn’t get around as much as Auryn and I did. He and Casper had always been a little more picky when it came to women. Being a manwhore wasn’t for everyone. I respected that.
Drinking and smoking, I stared across the graveyard at Codie. Feeling my gaze upon her, she met my eyes. Something passed between us. She’d watched me shoot down the cheerleader. I hoped she knew what that meant. I wanted her. I would soon have her.
And she would never fucking forget it.