Page 272 of Chaos Kills

Bay takes a small step back, but it’s written all over her face. It’s painted all over mine, too, that we can’t ignore this.

I crowd her space again because I’m not letting this go. Bay Astor will break down for me. I’ll be a sounding board for her, even though as much as I try, I’ll never be her Levi Wallace.

However, I don’t want to be.

That man lets her run him, and she’ll never be that for me. She can try her best to sway my decisions and fight me all day, but I like that shit.

I like it because it challenges her and me.

“Get up onto the desk behind you and get on your knees. Ass over the edge.”

“Fuck you.”

“I’m trying to.”

I can see her battling with herself. To let me in.

Her secret is out for everyone to know, but Wallace and she won’t tell. She’s still protecting Torin from the fate of a violent death.

Cupping her face, I close the distance between us and press my lips to hers. Bay doesn’t give, reluctantly holding back because she’s already done this.

She gave herself up, and now they’re both gone.

“We’re a team,” I mutter against her mouth. “And if someone on the team takes an L, we all do. You don’t die. Not when you’re with me. Not when I agreed to this alliance. Not when I finally decided to say fuck this shit and really look at the bigger picture. You’re in the picture, Bay, whether you want to be or not. And I’m another player who has lined myself up with you to protect and serve. The last thing on my mind…is you fucking me over.”

She peels away from my lips and looks up at me with confusion written across her face. “Why?”

“Because I’ve seen enough. You’ve already given me your loyalty. I don’t need you to say it or show me. You have nothing to prove to me.”

“I’m South Shore.”

“And that’s not the worst thing.”

“I’m your enemy.”

“Are you?” I cock my head to the side. “Because I don’t see it, Little T. But I do see you. And you’re cockblocking me right now.”

She rocks her head back and forth a bit, still denying my words. “You make no sense.”

“I make perfect sense,” I convey softly. “You’re just too much of a stubborn asshole to accept it.” I mindlessly lay my forehead against hers, breathing in the scent of strawberries and tequila. Being this close to this woman calms me. Which is insanebecause she drives me fucking crazy most of the time. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Another wave of silence comes afterward, but she finally gives way to what I wanted to confirm all along.

“Because I didn’t want to split you guys apart.”

For a woman who decidedly keeps shit to herself to protect her well-being, she sure does have an inkling to make sure we’re all kept safe as well.

Even from her best friend.

“I thought we were your enemy?” I press, brushing my lips against hers. “Sounds like a loaded excuse and you evading the truth again.”

“And what truth is that?” she questions ever-so-slightly, barely a whisper against the loud silence of the room.

But her admission is the loudest thing in the space. I’ve found another weakness of Bay Astor’s.

And I can’t use it.

“That it would kill you if something happened to one of us. All of us.”

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