Page 101 of Running Winter

"Do you think it would be good?" Jael asked innocently, her lips wrapping around her bottle once more.

I was about to respond when suddenly someone caught my eye. It's Leigh, and he looked pissed.

"Maybe. Excuse me," I murmured to Jael, my hand skimming her waist as I walked past her. "Leigh," I called out, frowning when I glanced around him.

"Rafe, hey man," Leigh sighed, folding his arms. "Your sister has been with this guy for the past thirty minutes. Do you know him?"

Whoever he was, I knew he was a dead man. I followed Leigh's gaze to the corner of the yard to see Raven sitting on someone's knee. Her arm wrapped around his neck, her head bent down, obscuring his face. She was laughing, and she looked happy enough.

"I can't see who he is," I muttered before shrugging my shoulders. "Let's go find out."

I headed towards them, stopping halfway when I saw the arm wrapped around my sister's waist, with a familiar sleeve tattoo.

Herrod.

Oh, hell no.

Raven knew never to do that.

Fury raced through my veins when I saw Raven kissing the bastard, his arms tightening around her waist.

"Get your hands off my sister," I commanded, dragging Raven away from Jared with one swift movement. Instantly Raven shoved into my chest, hissing at me to fuck off. Ignoring her completely, I focused on the giant turd that was grinning at me like the cat that got the cream.

"It's only my hands, Deacon. So far, anyway," Jared drawled, reaching out to touch my sister’s hand.

"I will break your fucking fingers—" I seethed as Raven shook her head at me.

"No, you won't. You can't say shit when you're ball deep in his sister-"

My gaze flickered towards her, and my lip curled with disgust. She was wearing a tiny dress, and Jared's hand hovered just under the hem of it.

"His sister is older. She knew what she was getting into," I snapped, walking over to grab Raven, pulling her away from Jared.

Immediately Jared squared up to me, and without thinking, I swung my fist, knocking him clean into the wall behind him.

He fell with a clatter, staring at me with a dazed expression. When he jumped back up, I was ready for him, sending him straight back down.

The idea of Jared fucking Raven to get back at me turned my stomach, and I had to restrain myself from killing the cunt.

Leigh was speaking to Raven, and I could see that she was listening to him. He guided her away, but not before I caught the look she gave me. Disappointment and anger mixed with guilt. I waited until she was gone before turning back to Jared, who pointed at me angrily, his finger trembling.

"Doesn't feel so good, does it, seeing your sister with the one person you can't stand?"

"I don't give a fuck—don't you dare touch my sister again. Ever. Or I swear to God, I'll kill you."

A crowd had gathered around us now, and I felt a hand on my arm.

"Rafe, leave it. Let's go."

I turned around to see Leigh giving Jared a dark look before his eyes locked on mine.

"I'm not with your sister to fuck you over," I muttered, finally meeting Jared’s eyes. "So leave mine alone."

I turned and walked away, the anger within me causing me to shove my way to the door, aware of everyone watching me. Surprisingly, Jared didn't respond, and I was relieved. But, unfortunately, it meant I had to explain to Heather that her cunt of a brother and I had gotten into a fight, yet again.

"Fuck!" I hissed, turning to see Raven glaring at me from the passenger seat of Leigh’s car. I returned her glare before she slid the window down.

"Keep away from him. He's only doing it to get back at me. Where is your sense, Raven?" I barked as she flinched.

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