Page 5 of Heart Sick Hate

“He’s busy.”

It’s a lie. Rhett forgot. As much as he cares about me, he cares about the church more. And the moment I got the text he was dropping something off for Sunday’s service, I knew he’d get distracted and wouldn’t make it to Jude and Fel’s wedding.

Not that it really matters. Our relationship is a show for them. A deal signed in blood. I don’t owe Crew an explanation.

“Where’s your date?” I toss back at him. “Couldn’t find a girl with poor enough judgment on such short notice?”

He must notice my tone catch at the end because he smiles, reaching up to brush back the piece of hair hanging in my face. “Now who’s jealous?”

“Not in your lifetime.” I clench my teeth.

“You sure, Goldilocks?” His finger trails down my arm.

He’s toying with me. Like he’s so good at.

“Does it bother you, Crew?” I straighten up, tipping my chin up and facing him. “All this teasing and I can’t helpbut think maybe you’re just mad your brother got to me first.”

“That’s bullshit, and you know it.”

“Is it?” I purse my lips. “Or is that denial I’m hearing?”

“Denial is you pretending you aren’t dating my brother just to piss me off.”

“Why would it?” I shrug. “Thought you didn’t care.”

“I don’t.” He smirks. “Not since you went and made yourself my brother’s whore.”

Rage pulses and my vision goes black.

My knuckles crack as they connect with Crew’s nose, but he doesn’t so much as flinch. His neck barely even moves with the hit. Besides the blood now pouring out of him, he’s otherwise unaffected.

“Fuck.” I grip my knuckles with my other hand and wish it was enough to make the throbbing subside.

I’ve been to the guys’ underground fights plenty of times. It always looked likebeing hitwas the painful part. But as my hand pulses and my fingers numb, I’m not sure why the guys at the shop fight people for fun because even the hitting part hurts.

Bad.

Crew smirks, grabbing a towel off the counter and holding it to his nose as blood pours down his dress shirt. He’s proud of his vile comment because there’s nothing Crew Kingsley loves more than getting a reaction.

This asshole brings out the worst in me.

Even now as he stands in front of me with what is likely a broken nose, he looks more amused than anything.

Figures. He’s a sadistic dick who feeds on taking pain as much as he enjoys inflicting it.

“Quite the right hook you’ve got there, Goldie.”

I hate that he calls me that—still. It’s a threat as much as it’s a taunt. A reminder that he knows all the little things we both bury on the outside.

“Feel better now?” He winks at me.

Actually fuckingwinksat me.

“Fuck you, Crew.” I turn and walk away, blood boiling in my veins. Molten hot and coursing through me.

Sage and Maren are walking back into the apartment as I storm toward the door. Maren’s eyes go wide when she spots Crew covered in blood, but Sage just starts laughing.

“What’d you do this time?” I hear Sage ask, but I don’t stick around for Crew’s answer.

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