Page 52 of Veiled Vengeance

Besides the fact that a literal serial killer is after you.

Even though Inner Spencer is right, I refuse to let that dampen the mood.

Out of the corner of my eye, I take a quick look at Rio. He’s concentrated on our surroundings, searching for any sign of a threat.

If my life were a cartoon, a light bulb would appear above my head right now. I’m very aware of the seriousness of our circumstances, but we deserve to have fun at the same time.

Lengthening my stride, my speed picks up from a fast jog to a run. Rio notices and increases his pace to match mine. We make eye contact, and I shoot him a crafty smirk.

“Ni te atrevas,” he pants in between breaths.Don’t you dare.

My smile grows, and I break into an all-out sprint. “Catch me if you can.”

“Mierda,” Rio hisses.

“Ah, shit,” Zane complains.

“Fuck,” Asher grunts.

The laugh that comes out of me is spirited and free. The smacking of their tennis shoes on the pavement and their heavy breaths mingle with mine. I know I can’t outrun them—that isn’t the goal.

I know I’m playing with fire here, but I enjoy provoking their feral side. The side that calls to an aspect of myself I didn’t realize was suppressed. They’re going to be so pissed at me, but I know I’ll find pleasure in their punishment.

Zane’s shoes appear next to mine as he catches up with me. A glance over my shoulder informs me that Asher and Rio are right on our heels, just as I expected.

I stumble slightly as I elbow Zane in the side, causing him to grunt. He finally gives me a smile and a shake of his head.

When we round the corner and the sign for Joey’s Gym comes into view, I push myself one last time.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Asher bitches.

Rio laughs, and Zane stays right by my side.

Stopping abruptly at the entrance, I lean against the wall as my labored breaths saw in and out of my lungs. Zane paces next to me with his hands on his head—he’s barely out of breath. Asher bends over to stretch his hamstrings, and Rio falls face first on the pavement with arms spread out on either side.

“You really are trying to kill me.” The sidewalk muffles Rio’s claim.

My chuckle is barely there from being so out of breath. “You wouldn’t feel like you were dying if you’d work on your cardio more.”

Zane grimaces as he eyes Rio on the ground. “You know that’s not sanitary, right?”

Rio lifts his head for a second to respond. “I’m building my immune system.”

“If that’s what you want to call it.” Asher’s lip curls in disdain.

Shaking my head at their squabbling, I walk inside with all three of my men following right behind me. My focus immediately goes to the front desk, and I find Joey standing there as usual. When he sees me, his eyes light up for a splitsecond before the glee vanishes and is replaced with his usual rough exterior.

“You look like shit.” His words are gruff, but I know what they mean.

My heart warms, and the corners of my mouth curve. “And you look like a shriveled-up dick.”

He rounds the desk and beelines right for me. His arms encircle my body, and I freeze in shock. After a moment, I sink into the affection and return the gesture.

“You really scared me the other night.” He sounds choked up.

My tears threaten to fall. “Sorry about that,” I whisper.

He pulls back and looks me up and down. “How does the other guy look?”

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