Page 131 of Heart Sick Hate

“I don’t know.” I rub my arms. “It’s not like I’m done drinking. It just doesn’t feel right at the moment. I’d rather stay in my head.”

The threats of Rhett taking away my power still lingers with me. Him saying he could so easily turn me into my mother. And even if logically I know I’m not her, it’s been easier to have clear thoughts as I process everything that happened.

Sage pulls out his phone, frowning at whatever’s on the screen.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” He pockets it, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Sure.” I poke his arm. “I’m not believing that for a second.”

“It’s really nothing.” His eyes dart to the shop window. “Kane just asked me to stay late tonight so we can catch up about something.”

“Something?”

Sage shrugs. “He just wants to talk.”

“About what?”

“Nothing important.” Sage wraps an arm over my shoulders and shakes me. “Stop worrying about me. I’m a grown ass man.”

“Debatable.” I elbow him in the side. “You know I don’t like you spending too much time with the Twisted Kings. Don’t let Kane drag you back into his shit.”

“I won’t.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

But as he says it, I feel the truth in his gaze. Even if he pretends ties are cut, everyone in this room is aware there are still strings. Sage’s past is where he hides all his secrets, and I can’t help but wonder which ones are waiting to come full circle.

“Where’s the new front desk chick?” I change the subject. “I thought she started a couple of weeks ago.”

“She did.” Sage grins.

“Oh my, God. You’re disgusting.” I shove him off me.

“Hey, she knew what I was offering.” Sage shrugs, walking off as Crew circles back around and wraps me in his arms.

“Did he actually fuck another employee into quitting? He has a problem.”

“Lots of them,” Crew agrees. “How does it feel being out of the house? We can leave if you’re not ready.”

“I’m good,” I assure him. “I can’t hide forever.”

“You can if you want to. I won’t judge.” He kisses the side of my neck.

“You just want to keep me all to yourself.”

“Damn right, I do.”

He kisses a path up to my lips and claims them, before pulling back to look at me. Those steel-gray eyes, so cool they take my breath away.

“Have you talked to your father?” I ask.

“Way to kill the mood.” Crew frowns, caught off guard by my sudden change in subject. “Let me guess, Adam asked you to check in on me?”

“Technically, Lakeyn.”

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