Page 34 of Unwritten Rules

“Sloane,” I hissed, motioning for her little minions to leave her to us.

With Sloane, everything was predictable. Her family status solidified her attitude–spoiled. She did what she wanted, when she wanted, and with whom she wanted. I hated her family for being the business connections within the twisted little world we lived in. She never had to worry her head about much since she’d probably get married off to the highest bidder. It sometimes made me feel bad for her and I understood why she lashed out.Only sometimes.

I dragged her farther from the crowded room while she struggled, finally pulling her arm out of my grip.

“Can you not? You said I’m not yours! You can’t come in here and do what you want with my arms!” Thank God I spoke drunk Sloane.

I sighed and folded my arms over my chest. “You’ve had enough tonight. You need to get home.”

Her face softened, looking almost sensual. “Are you going to punish me for being a bad girl?”

With some heavy coaxing and promises of things I knew she’d forget in the morning, I convinced her to leave. She only lived a few houses away and getting her into bed guaranteed she would fall asleep immediately.

She did.

I plopped in the chair at her desk and took a breather. I wasnotsupposed to be a drunk escort. If anything, I planned on snatching Fallon again to force her to come with me for some answers.

Why did my grandfather forbid me to canoodle with her? No idea. All I knew was that she was Maria’s kid, and my grandfather loved Maria like a daughter. Since his only child ended her life, I couldn’t blame him for forcing the title onto someone else.We all have demons of our own.

But then, why the beatings? He fucking pulled a fucking gun on me–he had a temper, sure. It happened multiple times before, but telling me to stay away from Fallon like this only pushed me closer to her.

I planned to have that girl eating out of my hands whether she–or The Dictator–liked it or not.

Sloane looked to be asleep, and I took that as my cue to leave. My focus was on Fallon and getting back to the party. I hoped to find her in the chaos that was a sorority afterparty.She is mine.

Sloane had a habit of trying to beat other people down to make herself feel better, a symptom of the life she lived. I didn’t like it and that’s why I never wanted anything to do with her despite her desperately hanging on. She mocked me and told me I had commitment issues–which was true, but maybe she was just a girl who needed to stop flinging herself on me. She was college fun just like the others were, and I wasn’t here for anything but work.

So was she.

The music inside was too loud to hear myself think. A smoke break before finding Fallon was in order. She looked good in that dress she wore, and it pissed me off with how she brushed me off. I shrugged off the thought in the brisk night air out back where I found a secluded spot to light up. The smell overpowered the stench of beer and sweat, calming my nerves like it always did.

What was it about her? Those innocent eyes? The way her lips wanted mine even though she denied it? Whatever it was, I liked it and I wanted her.

Speak of the devil, I thought, hearing her voice nearby. Curiosity got the better of me and I decided to eavesdrop. Leaning closer, her voice became clearer.

“I...are you asking me to be your girlfriend officially?” She didn’t sound sure of herself, which meant there was room for me in her life. Hell, maybe she’d turn him down because I’d already weaseled my way into her brain.

She was really something, though. She had a baseball star and a football player paying attention to her all in the same week and struggled to make a decision. I was so intrigued by her, and it pissed me off that I couldn’t get a read on the girl.

They said something else I couldn’t make out from their hushed tones, but he didn’t sound like he was too enthusiastic about it.Did she reject him?

“Why don’t we go back to your place to hangout?” He asked.Doesn’t sound like a rejection to me.

Well, that was frustrating. I moved slightly to see if I could get a visual on them. I was already eavesdropping, so I figured staring wasn’t any worse. I could hear Reaper, egging me on in the back of my mind. The fucker would probably be jerking off to this shit.

In view, his mouth was on hers and she took the kiss with more want than she led on. No hesitation like she had with me.Challenge accepted, Blondie.

I was done watching. I finished my cigarette and crushed it under my boot.

Maybe I wasn’t done because I ended up in our neighborhood, sitting on my porch wanting to catch her coming home. If she ever did. The night was quiet, except for the occasional car passing or music from farther away. I leaned back in my chair and lit up a cigarette, letting my thoughts drift to more important matters.

The Dictator started rolling around in my mind with his orders and the jobs he planned out. We had other matters to put to bed, things looking messier with each job we went to. I made a mental note to ask Reaper about what he knew, since I was usually just told to go and execute. They never trusted me much even though I wouldsupposedlyinherit the company at some point.

If he’d just trust me more. Oh, but he can’t. I’m just a nuisance to him.

A car slowly rolled down the street and the headlights forced me to cover my eyes. I scooted down to avoid being seen but stayed in a position where I could easily see what happened. It stopped at Fallon’s house and parked. My vision readjusted, seeing Garrett and Fallon walking to the front door.

I bet she’ll lock lips with him and think of me.I wanted her to. The question of if she would burned in the back of my mind.

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