Page 32 of Surrender
I shifted toward Roxie, stepping back onto the sidewalk while Rafe and Scoop moved in, putting themselves between this new vehicle and the van of girls.
“Stay beside me,” I ordered, and just like that, Roxie’s mask dropped.
“Yeah, okay,” she answered with a nod, tucking her body in tight behind mine.
“If there’s anything I need to knowright now…” I let the words hang in the air as the strange car pulled to a stop right behind my motorcycle.
She cleared her throat. “A couple of the girls had private dances with a guy the other night who offered to pay them to discussThe Exiled Eight,” she whispered quickly. “They bothdeclined and walked out, but I heard whispers that some of the others had been saying they would take it if it was offered.”
I knew instantly what was happening.
If there was one thing you never had to question about Roxie, it was her loyalty. If one of the girls was in trouble, she was the first one to step in and help or stand up when everyone was sitting down. But because some of the other girls aren’t expressing the samevalues, she’s separating herself.
I also knew exactly who was causing this fucking issue.
And sure as shit, the rear door of the strange car opened, and out stepped Parker Carrington in a suit that probably cost more than my damn bike.
“Morning, gentlemen,” he greeted loudly, nodding to Rafe and Scoop, who didn’t move a muscle. “And ladies,” he added, his eyes falling on Roxie.
“You lost, Carrington?” I asked, stepping to the side and cutting off his sightline to her.
“Not at all,” he replied, that same smug grin I’d already become too familiar with curling at the corners of his mouth. “I’m just trying to be a friendly face in the neighborhood.”
“Inmyneighborhood,” I snapped, clenching my fist.
He shrugged. “Yourneighborhood is one of the most intriguing. And I have to say, it is exciting to witness how quickly your little kingdom tightens up when someone or something unknown walks in and threatens the status quo.”
I stepped closer, lowering my voice. “Yeah, just like how your ass is going to pucker up when you find yourself alone at night, scared to close your eyes because if you decide to fuck with me or my family, I might just be waiting in the shadows.”
Carrington’s smirk faltered for a split second, the cocky bastard not so confident without a courtroom and security behind him. He quickly moved his attention, pulling something from his pocket as he shifted his stance and his gaze around me,to Roxie.
“I don’t believe we’ve met,” he said, holding his card out between his fingers. “I work at the district attorney’s office, and I’m happy to chat if you ever need any kind oflegal advice.”
Roxie glanced at the card and scrunched up her nose. “I’d rather rub my pussy on a porcupine than let you anywhere near me with yourlegal advice,” she started, stepping forward and tucking her body right in beside mine and adding, “sir.”
I wanted to laugh.
But I held it in.
Making sure my face stayed the same—fucking angry.
Carrington held his card there a little longer before letting out a sigh and tucking it back into his suit jacket. “Such a shame,” he said, tsking his tongue in disappointment. “Well, I must be moving on, people to see, lunch dates to make.”
He turned away, but I couldn’t help myself.
I knew it was going to cause problems, to stir the fucking pot of shit that had really begun to boil.
But I did it anyway.
“Meeting up with Darcy?” I called after him, unable to keep a smirk off my face as the motherfucker froze, hand on the car door handle. “She’s been busy lately, right? You haven’t spent much time together while she’s been here in Detroit.”
Using Darcy to get into Carrington’s head wasn’t my proudest moment, but as far as what Lucy told me, their relationship was already dead in the water, and the sooner I got her away from him, the fucking better.
He didn’t turn all the way to face me, just enough so I could see the way he was clenching his jaw. That blow had hit its target, and without saying anything, he jerked the door open and climbed inside, slamming it closed behind him.
Roxie stepped up beside me as we watched the tinted car pull away from the curb and cruise by us.
“Who’s Darcy?” she questioned, her voice surprisingly soft and inquisitive. “She sounds important.”
