Page 17 of North

Farren’s eyes sparkle with victory and because I know she doesn’t want to talk about Rafferty but instead wants to do something naughty and completely foolish, my body starts to react to the thought of what might happen in that dark storeroom.

“Thank you so much,” Farren says, resting a hand on Stevie’s shoulder. “It’s bugging me and I just need to figure something out.”

“Of course,” Stevie says, glancing between the two ofus. She punches me lightly on the arm. “This guy is golden and if he can help, he’ll fix all your problems.”

I almost choke over the absurdity of what she said, not to mention the double meaning that Stevie unwittingly just voiced.

“We won’t be long,” Farren assures her.

“Take your time,” Stevie says as she starts to turn away. “The bar is fully stocked before we open each night so no one needs to get in there.”

Jesus Christ… we’re basically being handed a room for us to fuck behind everyone’s back.

CHAPTER 7

North

Itrail behindFarren as she weaves through the crowded bar, her pace casual enough to avoid attention but purposeful enough to keep me locked onto her every move. I glance over my shoulder, scanning the faces of my Titans mates, lost in their drinks and conversations. No one’s watching us, at least not that I can tell. Still, the sense of sneaking away feels dangerous, like we’re doing something we both know we shouldn’t.

And we are.

We push past clusters of people laughing and shouting over the music that just came on the jukebox, their voices fading as we near the back of the bar. My heart pounds harder with every step.

I should stop this.

Tell her no, that this is reckless and an absolute breach of Rafferty’s trust in us. But then she glances over her shoulder, her lips curling into a sly, knowing smile, and I know there’s no way in hell I’m saying no.

The hallway narrows, and I hang back a step asFarren slides Stevie’s key into the lock.

“Relax,” she murmurs without looking at me, reading the mixture of tension and worry on my face. “You’re acting like we’re about to rob a bank.”

I huff out a laugh, breaking the tight feeling in my chest. “Feels just as risky.”

The door creaks open, and she steps inside, flipping a light switch that bathes the room in a dim yellow glow. I follow, shutting the door behind me and securing the lock. I take in the space—a small, narrow room with metal shelves lining the walls, stocked with liquor bottles, cases of beer and cleaning supplies. The air smells faintly of lemon disinfectant and cardboard, and the floor is a worn concrete but swept clean. A single wooden stool sits in the corner next to a clipboard hanging from a nail in the wall. It’s utilitarian, functional, and the last place you’d expect anything remotely sexy to happen.

“Romantic,” I grouse, giving the room a skeptical glance.

Farren grins, leaning back against one of the shelves. She braces her hands on the ledge and her breasts thrust out. “Not exactly a candlelit dinner, but I think we’ll manage.”

I shake my head, laughing softly. “I can’t believe you set this up. Are you seriously not afraid of getting caught?”

Her grin widens, a wicked glint in her eye. “A little.But isn’t that half the fun?”

Is this fun?

Without a doubt.

Am I still apprehensive?

Yes.

I step closer to Farren, my hand brushing the edge of a shelf. “And what about me? You don’t think I should be worried?”

Her gaze locks onto mine, her voice dropping into a teasing lilt. “Are you afraid, North?”

I take another step, the tension between us crackling in the cramped space. “Not nearly as much as I should be.”

Her laugh is soft and low, curling around me like smoke. “Good. Because I think you’re the type who thrives on a little danger.”

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