Page 22 of Full Throttle

Mina Torrance was a gift from the heavens above. For many years, I didn’t believe in a higher power, but since meeting her, I had no choice but to believe. There was no way a soul like hers just landed on this earth by chance. She was planted here for a reason.

One of those reasons was to be my friend.

Months ago, she’d had a panic attack at Oasis, and we all came to her aid. She referred to me as her friend, and it stuck with me. The last true friend I had was upstairs with bruises all over her body and face.

“It’s too damn cold to be out here, Cain,” Mina teased, smiling at me.

I exhaled, letting the smoke come out my nose as I savored the nicotine high. Mina scrunched her nose, clearly disapproving of my unhealthy habit. “Cain! What have a told you about smoking?”

My lips twitched. “That it's a nasty habit.”

She ticked her head to the side, reminding me of her brother. “That’s not all.”

“I’m a grown man, Mina,” I reminded her, smiling as I moved from the car to her. Without a word, I took the bags from her hands. She stared at me, shaking her head. Clearing my throat, I imitated her sass. “It’s too damn cold out here.”

“I’m going to smack you,” she warned, trying not to laugh.

A chuckle left me as I jerked my chin to the stairs. “Let’s go before my balls freeze off.”

“Says the man who didn’t wear a fucking coat,” she mumbled underneath her breath as she turned and walked ahead of me.

When we were about halfway up the stairs, she turned on me suddenly. She stared down at me, and I was unable to get a read on the emotions swirling in her gaze. “How are you doing?” she asked.

“Haven’t we already been over this?”

She came down a single step, getting closer to me. She put her hand on my bicep, her thumb rubbing back and forth. The touch alone was enough to send me into a fucking spiral, but I remained neutral. I wasn’t used to physical affection, despite being around this group for a while.

Mina was touchy, so were Gwen Connors and Haley Austen. Gwen gave me a pat on the back one day at Oasis when I answered her question without looking up from the engine I’d been tweaking. Haley flat out gave me a hug at the finish line one night, her FBI agent fiancé watching me closely in the background.

The only time women touched me was when they wanted my fucking dick.

None of these woman had the intention of using me.

“Mina,” I began softly, giving her a smirk to throw her off. “I’m okay. I’m fucking pissed at the situation, but everyone came out okay. Dominique is okay, and that’s what matters. The boys and I…we’re going to end this. Soon.”

Without missing a single beat, she replied, “And what is going to happen when all this Bratva crap is over? What are you going to do?”

“Build engines and race cars. What else would I do?”

She opened her mouth to say something, but the door to the loft opened, and Leon stepped into the sun. Mina looked over her shoulder. “Hey, brother.”

“Sis,” he greeted, looking at her quickly before turning to me. “Why don’t you go inside and help Amara?”

She turned fully to him. “You could just say that you need to talk to Cain.”

He remained still as he replied coolly. “Mina, I need to speak to Cain for a moment.”

“Better,” she approved, turning back to me and reaching for the bags.

“I got them,” I assured her.

Mina’s eyes met mine. “Let him in, Cain,” she whispered, pleading with me.

My grip on the bags loosened as she took them. Thirty seconds later, she was inside, and Leon was making his way down the stairs. He stopped two steps above me. “Let’s go for a drive.”

Chapter Five

Nikki

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