Page 14 of Liv and Ripper

“What did you say?”

“You deaf, Maiden!” Ripper turned. “Stay the fuck away from Liv. She ain’t yours.”

“Nor is she yours.”

His expression dropped, and then it dawned on me. “Wait . . ..”

“She’s not my mate.” He was quick to chimp in. “Just don’t push me when it comes to her.”

Considering how much of a dick he had been about Emmie. I wasn’t really in the mood to do what he said. He wouldn’t even tell me if Emmie was okay. And wasn’t like I could go back and see her, not without extending the bonding process with her.

“You mightn’t have got the memo, mate,” I took a step toward him, “but if she is up for it, I’m there.”

“Fuck with me, and I’ll fuck with you right back.” His words had a lingering threat, but he wouldn’t go near Emmie. I wasn’t fucking that foolish. It was a death sentence for him to get involved with Emmie. By Hammer and Rusty. And if those two failed, I sure as fuck would be there. No one messed with my mate.

“I’ll kill ya, Maiden, if you fuck her.” His words were solemn and he locked eyes with me, hardness and coldness within them. “I’ll fucking kill ya.”

I took a step toward him. “I’d like to see you try.” With that said, I turned and left him to his chain smoking.

* * *

My fingers were hovering over the message that I had rewritten a billion times, trying to build up the nerve to send it to her. All I wanted to know is if she was okay. Emmie had given me her number, and I never planned to use it till tonight. I was desperate—fuck, I’d even call it frantic. I needed to know she was alright.

I had overheard Hammer say that she used to self-harm. I couldn’t stand the thought of her hurting herself and not knowing if she was okay.It’s Maiden, wanted to check in c if you were ok.

I knew she didn’t have one feeling for me in her body, so I wasn’t expecting a reply. So when the bubble popped up telling me she was writing, it sent a wave of nausea and happiness through me.

I’m ok, you left early the other month.

I smiled at first. She was okay. That was good. Then I frowned. She realized I had left. Fuck, she had been taking notice of me. I hadn’t spoken to her more then once while I was there. I didn’t want her to get attached.

I didn’t know what to type back, but then another message popped up.

Why didn’t you come with Ripper?

Was she talking about his last trip? I had turned the chance to go down. Because of her.

Ripper says hi by the way.

What the fuck! What the actual fuck!

He’s there? I sent back. Nah, surely not. A photo of them two popped up and I threw the phone across my room. Then I went and picked it up. Thank fucking God for smash-free cases.

If Ripper wanted to play a game, it was fucking on.

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