Page 69 of Nest of Thieves
I jerk around and shove his chest. “Stop it.”
He grabs my hands and draws me in. “Why?”
“Because.” I scowl when no other words come to me. “Because,” I say again.
“Right, valid argument. That makes a lot of sense.” He releases me but doesn’t give me any more space. “You’re going to kill him,” Mac tells Vette.
“Maybe I should.”
“Don’t kill him.” I shake my head. “Too many witnesses, he’s nothing, and I would have castrated him before I let him touch me again.”
Vette’s fingers flex on Ricky’s neck. Reaching over, I place my hand on his and carefully peel his hand off. Vette lets me do it, eyes on me the entire time. Once I free Ricky from certain death, I awkwardly hold on to Vette’s hand.
“He’s not worth it.”
Ricky coughs, wheezing and trying to breathe.
“You are,” Vette says.
I frown. “You don’t even know me.”
“I know enough. Are you done here?” Vette flicks his gaze around the dark club. “We’re drawing attention.”
“I wonder why,” I say with a sigh. Suddenly remembering Charlie vouched for me, I grab Ricky by the neck, my hand lying in almost the exact same spot that Vette’s had. “Charlie is with me. Fuck with her and I will hunt you down and finish the job I started. You feel me?”
Ricky nods. “Yes,” he rasps.
“Good boy.” I pat his cheek and release him, shooting Vette an innocent smile. “Now, I’m done.”
“Good,” Lark says. “The sooner we leave, the less security footage I’ll have to wipe.”
“There are witnesses,” I point out.
“Yeah, but the people in this club know better than to snitch. That’s the only reason our boss allows them in.” He holds my stare, trying to gauge if I’ve figured out who the boss is yet.
I blink and shrug.
“Well, then, let’s go.” I look at Charlie, who is staring at the four of us like we’re monsters. “If he gives you shit, come to the shop and let me know. I’ll handle it.”
She nods, confirming that this club must somehow be connected to the gang the guys are in. She knows who the guys are, just like Ricky knew how much he royally fucked up when the alphas joined us at the booth.
Mac stands first. “You helped her?” he asks Charlie.
The poor beta trembles. “Yes,” she squeaks.
“Then we owe you a favor. You know what that means?”
Her mouth drops open in surprise, and she nods. He spins and grabs my hand, yanking me out of the booth. I barely manage to grab my purse before he wraps his arm around my shoulder. I place my palm against his side and huff, pushing for space.
Mac lets me go but doesn’t leave my side.
“Enough with the manhandling.” I adjust my top and shove the suppressants in my purse. They barely fit inside.
“Sorry, I don’t speak English.” Mac nods at Vette and Lark. “Come on, Kitten. You’ve caused enough trouble for one night.”
nineteen
JO
