Page 152 of Beyond the Badge: Nox

He stepped closer and into her personal space before dragging a knuckle down Liyah’s cheek. “Could be a good pop to your boys.”

She rolled her eyes. “Debatable.”

“Can teach ‘em shit.”

“Like what? How to smoke pot and drink yourself into a fist fight?”

“Like be a man.”

Liyah laughed so hard she almost folded in half.

When she straightened, Romeo was frowning. “What the fuck, woman?”

“Oh, you weren’t joking?” She pressed fingers to her lips. “Oops.”

“One day you’re gonna realize what a catch I am.”

“‘One day’ is not today. Go back to your side of the lot, Rome. I need to have a word with my father.”

However, she didn’t need to continue on her trek as Magnum appeared at Romeo’s side.

A second later, she felt rather than saw Nox step up behind her.

This was exactly what she wanted to avoid.

Well, that and a clash between the two clubs.

Romeo jerked his chin up at Nox. “Who’s this?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but a friend.”

“He’s a pig,” Magnum announced. “Somehow my daughter forgot to tell me that he’s a part of the biker wannabe club.”

“Because it wasn’t important,” she responded. She had a feeling her father would disagree.

“You knew about him?” Romeo asked Magnum.

“Yeah,” her father grunted.

“And you ain’t done nothin’ to stop it?”

“Excuse me?” Liyah asked sharply. “If my father wants to remain in my life then he knows not to interfere with it.” No matter how much he’d like to. She locked eyes with Romeo. “And none of this is any of your business, anyway. So,shoo.” She made a shooing motion with her hands.

“You’re family, Ali-Cat,” Romeo said. “Of course it’s my fuckin’ business. You’re under the club’s protection.”

“Thanks but no thanks. I’m fine without that protection.”

“She has me to protect her,” Nox announced.

Oh shit.

She didn’t care how Romeo took his declaration, but she knew Magnum wouldn’t like it.

Not at all. He was super protective of his family.

Romeo sneered, and without warning, spat a hocker at Nox’s feet, barely missing his boot, then acted like he didn’t mean to do it on purpose.

Thankfully, Nox didn’t react.

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