Chapter 6 #4
But killing her, that’d kill me, too. No matter how necessary. Lemon’s death is still a specter haunting me from an alley that reeks of hot garbage and regret. Whhhhyyyyy do I have so much trouble with bitches? And here I was, only worried about the bastards. Everyone sucks.
“Let’s go inside,” I breathe, pulling away from Widow and clack-clacking those rings together as I step past Bohnes. We look at each other, me and my Nightmare. His expression is alarmingly blank. That’s his most dangerous expression. Anger is safer.
I step into the living room to find Marie waiting.
He looks at me with a sincere apology in his face, like he’s desperately sorry for something he has no control over.
His eyes take in the pair of rings with a flash of challenge.
Uh-oh. “What’s that look for?” I ask as Bohnes uses his big body to push the door shut behind us.
Widow stays by my side, but he’s seething.
“Even if it hurts, it’s better to know the truth about a person, don’t you think?
” Alexei jerks one of his gloves off, and it feels like an invitation.
I take a step closer to him and reach out for his hand.
He lets me take it. I curl our fingers together and Alexei’s breathing grows erratic.
More casual touch. He uses his thumb to play with my rings, asking a silent question with his expression.
“The truth is all that I’m after,” I answer honestly, thinking of Ash instead of my sister.
I give Alexei’s hand a squeeze and then start to move away when he…
like, fuckin’ grabs me. I’m drawn into a hug.
A hug. Widow makes a weird sound and Bohnes sighs dramatically.
I have no idea how to react. No, wait. I have an idea.
I dig my fingers underneath Alexei’s hoodie and press my palms to that smooth, naked skin.
All he does is hold me more tightly, like he’s trying to comfort me or something. “You can let me go. I’m fine.”
“You can lie to yourself, but you will not lie to me,” he says insouciantly, lips stirring my hair.
How dare this motherfucker get all of his aristocratic indifference in my hair like that.
I go for his nipples with my fingers, and he bites dramatically onto his lower lip to cut short a pained groan.
Oh. Ah. Didn’t see that coming. “I just knew you were a kinky bastard. Did you bring those used panties with you? If not, no dice. I remember what I said.”
I challenged Alexei to bring the underwear he stole from me, the pair he’s been using to jerk off into. I told him if he didn’t bring those along, he wasn’t getting any from me, and I meant it.
He yanks off his other glove and then puts both of his bare palms up and under my shirt, cool hands resting on my lower back.
“I left you a fresh pair in your nightstand drawer, right next to the gun.” Alexei seems to find that funny, drawing back from me.
I give him an odd look—and then I pinch his nipples again.
He grinds his teeth and grabs at my wrists, forcing me back and into Widow’s embrace.
“You want to see me unravelled, Miss Force? Request granted. I will give you what you’re asking for, but remember later on that you did, in fact, ask for it. ”
“Ooooh, that a threat, Marie?” I tease as Widow’s warm hands squeeze onto my biceps. Comforting. Possessing. Sigh.
“It’s a promise, Force.” Alexei reaches up to adjust his hoodie with precise, imperial movements, acting like he’s fixing his tie and wearing an expensive suit. Pompous rich ass. I almost wish we could leave him destitute. He makes a cute lil’ Prescott rat. “But only after our date.”
“Good God, I get it. Christ almighty.” I roll my eyes and shrug Widow off, giving Bohnes a look. “Now what?”
“Your friends are here.” Kellin sweeps the door open again, holding out a hand to indicate that I should step outside. I do, and he shuts it, leaving me alone with Nisha and Basti. That’s suspicious as fuck. What are these morons up to?
Bastian opens the driver’s side door of the Pantera and climbs out, shutting it and leaning back with a smug look on his face. He jingles the keys at me as Nisha hops out on the other side.
“Good morning, Queen.” Basti winks at me, his colorful baseball cap worn backwards, sunglasses parked over the top. “I’ve got a present for you, my love.”
“Didn’t get a wink of sleep, but at least you know it’s done right,” Nisha tells me proudly, indicating my beautiful ‘69 de Tomaso Pantera. It’s a red coupe bisected by a black racing stripe and blue accents.
It’s also crafted of stolen parts, a lil’ bit of Prescott blood, a handful of race trophies, and some hutzpah.
Best damn car in Prescott—even better driver though.
“We tag teamed these mods, Scar. New in-car flagging system, too.” Basti tosses me the keys and then gestures at me with prayer hands. “Take us to Hollywood with you. I was meant to live in California. Get us out of Prescott.”
I smirk.
“Oh, don’t you worry your pretty little head about that.” I bite the edge of a key instead of my thumbnail. “The cream always rises to the top.”
My mind shivers with competing emotions for Lexi and Ash. Rage. Obsession. Rage and obsession. I look up to see Bastian and Nisha watching me carefully. They know me so well.
“You can win this today, Queen,” Nisha tells me, and I smile despite my broken heart. That’s a Prescott specialty, too, learning to smile when your insides are being sliced to ribbons. I can feel the boys staring at me through the living room widow. I force myself not to look back.
“You will win this today.” Bastian tucks his hands into his back pockets and gives me a saucy look. “Bet ya it’s so easy it’s boring. You’re too good for P-Trip.”
He’s not wrong. Today will be fine. It’s tomorrow that’s going to present a challenge.
Scarlett Force versus her conniving fuckboys. I can beat any one of them, hands down. If they all team up against me? Brotherhood is great and all. I want that for them. But I still can’t lose. I can’t let Ash suffer any more in this life.
“I’m going to cook you guys the most amazing breakfast.” I force my tight smile back into a cocky smirk.
When I open the front door, the boys are in a tight circle, speaking in low tones. Not even trying to hide it anymore, now are they?
After breakfast, I sneak upstairs and check my drawer to verify Alexei’s claim.
A pair of black panties with red lace, freshly soiled and tucked in beside my stolen firearm. Oh, Mr. Grove. Challenge accepted.
I shut the drawer and head back downstairs, careful to keep constant eyes on the Pantera.
Never know when a bitch might try to sabotage your car.