Page 26 of Unmasked Rivalry
I glance at the door, at the pathetic deadbolt. “Define safe.”
I don’t hang up until I hear her start the car, the sound muffled through the call but loud enough to tell me she’s actually coming. I pull on my boots and a hoodie and sit huddled on the bottom step, counting thunderclaps.
Mera’s headlights slice through the dark just over ten minutes later. I make a run for it, sloshing through mud, only realizing how hard I’m shaking when I slam the passenger door shut and the plastic handle almost snaps off. Mera grins at me.
“You look like a drowned rat,” she teases.
“Thanks,” I mumble.
“Just so you know,” she tells me, turning the car around. “Knox is in a mood tonight.”
“Fantastic,” I mutter.
The parking lot is nearly empty when we arrive at the compound, except for a few motorcycles lined up, rain-slicked and shining under the lights. I’m not ready to deal with Knox. Not after the last time. But I also really don’t want to go home.
“You sure you want to stay here?” Mera asks, turning the car off.
“It’s this or the rats.”
She laughs. “Fair.”
Inside, everyone is just chilling, drinking beer and playing pool. I spot Knox immediately. He’s at the corner table, a woman draped across his lap, her hand curling through the hair at the nape of his neck. He looks up as we enter, his mouth twisting in that sarcastic almost-smile, and I feel my stomach twist.
What do I care?
Seriously, what do I care.
I ignore him, sliding up to the bar and sitting by Zane, who immediately shoots me a grin and orders me a drink. “How’s the haunted house? Couldn’t handle the critters tonight?”
I laugh. “Haunted and without electricity. My favorite.”
“Well, you know you’re always welcome here. My bed is free.”
I roll my eyes, shoving him with my shoulder. “We only just met, you know. You could be anyone.”
He winks at me. “Anyone or no one, I will take either.”
I take the drink when it is put in front of me by a half-naked blonde woman, who I think they call sweetbutts.
“Are you this charming to all the women, or just me?”
He leans in close, keeping the grin. “Only the pretty ones.”
“Charmer.”
“So,” he murmurs, pulling out a cigarette. “If you’re not staying with me, who are you crashing with?”
“She’s stayin’ with me.”
Knox’s voice comes from behind me, and I flinch, turning and seeing him standing, his eyes on Zane, firm and unwavering.
“I absolutely am not,” I say, too loud.
Zane chuckles. “I’m stayin’ out of this one.”
“It’s that or the farmhouse, all the other rooms are taken. Which one do you prefer?” Knox growls, his voice low.
I can’t tell if he’s lying or threatening me. Either way, I’m not going to the barn.
