“You don’t need to explain or apologize. I’m glad you’re taking the threat seriously because those assholes don’t mess around. I’d hate anything to happen to you or your sister because of me.” I bring the bottle to my lips, taking a long swig. “Besides, I’m not in the market for a boyfriend, and I’m not planning on sticking around long after graduation. Your energy would be wasted on me.”
“I disagree, but I’m not one to dwell on something for long. I hate those bastards, but I refuse to spend any time thinking about them. And they never said we couldn’t be friends, right?”
I nudge his shoulder, smiling. “They didn’t. And I don’t have many friends. I’d be honored to call you that. You’re a good guy, Emmett, but I should probably elaborate on a few things before you make a friendship commitment. I need to speak to Sean and Sariah too, so let’s grab dinner at the diner next week, and I’ll fill you in.”
“It’s a date.”
I shoulder check him, rolling my eyes. “Between friends.”
“Aw, look at you,” a voice from my past says, dragging my gaze from Emmett’s. “Always scouting new fuck buddies.”
I fold my arms and level a dark glare at Darrow. “What do you want, Dar?”
“I heard your mom is engaged to that fucktard Lennox. That true?”
I’ve nothing to gain by denying something that will be common knowledge once the official engagement party takes place tomorrow night. “Unfortunately, yes,” I admit, sipping my beer as I eye my ex, wondering where he’s going with this.
“And those assholes are living with you now?” His eyes burn with naked hatred, but I can’t tell if it’s directed at me or the Saints.
“Same response,” I drawl, eyeballing him.
“You still fucking them?”
I snort. “You seriously have to ask that after what they did to me? What you did to me?”
“You disrespected me, Lo. What else did you expect me to do?”
I point my beer bottle at him. “You disrespected me first.”
“Tempest’s a slut. A nothing.” He shrugs. “It doesn’t even compare.”
I shake my head. Man, he’s a piece of work. “Wow. So, she’s not your current girlfriend?”
“That doesn’t change facts.” He reaches out, toying with the ends of my hair. “You know I’d dump her for you in a heartbeat.” His features soften, and it’s the closest Darrow’s ever come to showing me true emotion. “I was an idiot, Lo. I wasn’t thinking straight, because I wouldn’t have cheated on you with that slut if I had been. Don’t confuse my mistake. I still love you.”
Darrow doesn’t know the fucking meaning of that word, and what we had most definitely wasn’t love, but I’m not about to split hairs. He’s approached me for a reason, and I’d like to know why.
Emmett is listening intently to our conversation, studying my face, and I can tell by the way he’s holding himself rigidly still that he’s waiting for my cue to lay one on him. He obviously doesn’t know who Darrow is. Dar may not be in The Sainthood’s league, but you still don’t want to mess with him.
I’ve watched him gut guys for less.
“Is there a point to this nostalgia, or you’re just hoping for a sly fuck? Because that’s never happening.”
He sighs, letting go of my hair. “I know. You’ve got more class than that.” He scrubs a hand over his prickly jawline, and I spot Bryant staring at me from the corner of the room. Tempest is there with a face red enough to match her hair. “I have a proposition for you,” he says, holding up a hand when I level him with another dark look. “Not a sexual one. I think you and I could help one another.”
I jump down off the dresser, cautioning Emmett to stay put with my eyes. “I think I know where you’re going with this,” I say, looping my arm through Dar’s and peering up at him with a dreamy look on my face.
He chuckles. “You still can’t resist pushing buttons, huh, Lo?”
I beam up at him. “She fucking deserves a little payback.” My gaze flits to where Bryant is now physically restraining Tempest from coming at me. I smirk before turning my back on her. I straighten up, all hint of playfulness gone from my tone and my expression. “Let’s talk outside. See if we can’t serve our mutual interests.”
CHAPTER 8
I SCOWL AT the ceiling as the hot water beats down on my bare flesh, bracing myself for this nightmare of a party. Mom and Neo seem hellbent on a short engagement and a quick wedding, and I’m so torn over what to do.
How can I stand by and watch my mother marry that monster? Does she honestly love him? Does she truly understand what she’s getting involved in? Or is she really that naïve? Or maybe, this is the byproduct of grief?
I lather shampoo in my hair as I ponder these questions. Steam envelops me in a cloudy haze as I drag my fingers through my hair, washing the product down the drain.
There is a way to stop this—I tell her the truth of what happened four and a half years ago.
But what if she already knows? What if she’s always known? What if it doesn’t make any difference?
I never would have considered these thoughts even a week ago, but learning my mom was previously engaged to Neo “Sinner” Lennox has diminished my confidence in her. I can’t possibly know the real her if she could spend years with such a disgusting human. She must know the things he’s done. The shit he’s involved in.
So why would confirming it change anything except showing my hand?
I can’t interfere.
I’ve got to let this play out.
At least, for now.
I rest my head against the tile wall, closing my eyes and wishing Dad was still here. Even if only as the voice of wisdom in my head, because I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with this.
Hot water rolls down my spine as I contemplate my options, but I’m no closer to an answer as I switch off the shower and step out.
A muscular arm covered in tats darts out, offering me a towel, and I scream as adrenaline floods my system and my body reacts automatically to the perceived threat.
Saint chuckles, stepping forward, his hungry eyes drinking me in as he shamelessly ogles every inch of my bare skin. “Get the fuck away from me.” I grab the towel and shove past him, charging into my bedroom with water dripping all over the floor.
I slam to a halt as three sets of male eyes flit to my naked form.
Whatever. It’s not like they haven’t seen me naked before.
Taking my time, I wrap the towel around myself, tucking it securely under my arms as I glare at Caz, Galen, and Theo. The latter is sitting on the edge of my bed, tapping away on a tablet while Caz is rooting through my bedside table, and Galen is—
“Give me that!” I march toward him, grabbing the new dress Mom bought for me to wear to her engagement party from his large hands. Water trickles from my sodden hair all over the hardwood floor, and my damp fingertips leave small wet patches on the black gown. I hold it up in front of me, grinding my teeth to the molars. “What the fuck did you do to my dress?” I give Galen the evil eye.