Page 169 of Wicked Minds
Royce waves the letter in his face, ensuring he sees it. “I’m going to hold on to this, Ben Warden of 18 Creston Street. I’ll be driving past in two days, and if there’s any sign of you there, we’ll be having another one of these little chats… and it won’t be ending so well.”
Royce drops him and straightens. He glares down at Ben with disgust. Delivering a final kick to his ribs, he turns his back to him, and I follow as we walk out of the club.
“You think he’ll leave?” I ask when we’re inside the truck.
“He’d be an idiot not to, but then again, he’s proven so far he’s not exactly smart.”
Everything about Royce is brimming with barely contained rage. It fills the atmosphere, and I’m guessing the fact he’s still worked up is why he hasn’t made an effort to start the truck.
“How did tonight go?” I ask, hoping to distract him.
“Fine. Xander’sfriendis Dax,” he tells me with a roll of his eyes. “If I’d known that, I could have gone straight to him.”
“And Dax can help?” I press.
“He says he knows a computer guy who can create a profile and set everything up to look legit.”
“Okay,” I say, thinking. “So what now?”
“He’s going to get this guy on it. Then I need to set up another meeting with Lydia so I can show her what I’ve got and discuss the next steps.”
“And you’re still convinced we shouldn’t tell Riley?”
The un-enamored stare he gives me says everything.
“Yeah, okay,” I agree.
After tonight, that would be the last thing she needs
48
RILEY
“Maybe I can fuck that attitude out of you.”
“Such a good girl for Daddy.”
“You’re nothing but a cheap whore.”
“Daddy’s good little girl.”
I startle awake with a gasp, momentarily stunned as I blink at the dark ceiling above me.
I’m safe. I’m at the guys' house. I’m not alone.
He’s not here. He can’t hurt me.
I don’t even know whichheI’m referring to, but my mantra does its trick as I regulate my breathing, calming myself. The fact that I didn’t wake Royce or Logan this time shows how exhausted they are. Which is understandable. This must be the fourth or fifth time since we climbed into bed several hours ago that I’ve woken. Every other time, one or both of them have awakened as well, but turning to look at each of them, they’re thankfully still sound asleep.
Logan needs sleep after his game tonight, and especially with another one tomorrow. Technically, I guess today, since there are faint streaks of gray sunlight creeping around the edges of his curtains.
And Royce… Well, I don’t know exactly what happened when he and Gray went back to Lux, but he came home with busted knuckles and a victorious gleam in his eye that I’ve never seen—not even when he obliterates his opponent in the ring. Either way, whatever he did, I’m sure he deserves his rest, too.
I, however, can’t get back to sleep. I don’t even want to. Every time I close my eyes, I feel his hands on my skin. The vile stench of his breath on my cheek. The arrogance of his words in my ear. I just… can’t anymore. I can’t lie here and know he’s waiting for me.
I’m not sure what I need. I already tried washing him off me in a scalding shower. All I did was rub my skin raw until Logan took over, yet I swear I still feel him all over me. Inside me.
With a shiver, I wriggle out from between Royce and Logan. After my shower, Logan dressed me in a pair of his boxers and t-shirt, so I grab his hoodie from the back of a chair before I creep out of his room.
