Page 10 of Unmasked Rivalry
I’m just about to walk out when the door opens and Knox is there, leaning against the frame, arms folded. His green eyes rake down my body, slow and deliberate, pausing on where the hem of his shirt barely clears the top of my thighs. He says nothing, just watches me with a lazy up-and-down.
“I, uh, forgot my shirt,” I manage to choke out, gesturing helplessly at my bag. “This was all I could find. Hope you don’t mind.”
Knox’s lips curve into a slow, deliberate smile. “You can keep it,” he says, and there is a roughness in his voice that wasn’t there before. His eyes flick once more to my bare legs, and he adds, “Looks better on you anyway.”
For half a second, I want to say something clever, or at least cutting, but the words are gone. My mouth works, silent. He pushes himself upright, moving closer until he’s in my space. A part of me wants to step back, but some deranged, thrill-seeking part of me stands its ground.
Knox leans in, so close I can see the flecks of gold in his eyes, and says, “Let me know if you ever need help with the buttons.”
Before I have a chance to answer, he’s already out the door, laughing, and I am left standing in the middle of his room, heart trying to punch its way out of my chest.
That...that...asshole.
I yank my bag onto my shoulder and follow him back out to where a heap of people are all sitting around a makeshift fireplace. I spot Mera instantly. She’s laughing, drink in hand, face lit up as she chats with Wolfe, who towers over her with his arms protectively looped around her waist. Sable and Nia are there too, chatting to each other, while occasionally bursting with laughter.
Mera sees me first. “CALLIE!” she shrieks, like I’ve just returned from war. “You survived!”
I make my way over, aware that every pair of eyes in the room is tracking my bare legs and the oversized shirt I’m wearing. I could curse myself for being so careless, but instead, I choose to own it and keep my chin out. I take a seat next to Mera, snag the drink she holds out to me, and down half of it in one go.
The burn is instant, but it does the trick. My nerves settle. I look up, and every single one of my new friends is staring at me with a look of delighted mischief. “I see Knox let you use his shower,” a biker murmurs, a grin on his face.
“Stop it!” Sable smacks his arm. “Stop being mischievous.”
“Callie,” Nia says, her cheeks pink from alcohol. “That is Kael, and this is Talon and Zane. You already know Wolfe and Knox.”
I stare at the men she points to, trying to keep up. All I know is that they all look like they fell from biker heaven.
I nod in their direction and accept another drink from Mera.
After the third drink, everything feels looser, lighter. Mera’s telling a story about her serial killer father that has me completely mesmerized. These girls have stories to tell, and I’m here for it. I find out Sable is pregnant, and that’s an entire story in itself, but it makes sense now why she isn’t drinking.
“So, Callie,” Sable asks when Mera is done talking. “What’s your story?”
I shrug. “Not much to say. City girl, parents divorced, nothing exciting here.”
It’s a lie, but I don’t dare tell them that.
Sable waggles her brows. “You’re not from anywhere near here, are you?”
“Nope.”
“So it’s just you and your parents then?” Nia asks, smiling.
Before I can answer, Knox pipes up, shocking me with his response. “She’s got a twin brother. Prison. Ten years.”
Every pair of eyes zeroes in on me. I nearly drop the glass. “That’s not—what the fuck, Knox?”
He says nothing, just stares at me, expressionless.
“You don’t know my story, Knox. You know nothing,” I snap.
He leans back, arms crossed. “Know he’s in prison for running guns and getting caught.”
Anger bubbles in my chest, wild, unhinged anger.
I stand so quickly I nearly trip. “He was set up.”
Knox snorts, low and humorless. “Whatever you say.”
