Page 25 of Prince of Pain

Her shoulders relaxed and she gave me a small smile. “That’s a nice surprise.”

“I bet.” I glanced at Maddox with annoyance. “Are you ready or do you want me to wait in the car while you finish talking about me?”

“That would be great. It’s easier when you’re not here because you can’t interrupt us,” he deadpanned, turning to Mom. “We’re just hanging at home, so don’t worry about us getting into trouble.”

I let them talk and headed outside for a cigarette, taking slow breaths as I walked. I needed to calm down or I was going to lash out more.

I didn’t want Maddox to punch me because that shit fucking hurt.

I’d had three cigarettes by the time Maddox joined me by his Charger, my irritation worse than it had been when I’d walked out here.

“Sorry, she was filling me in on something with the crews.”

“Whatever.”

He didn’t push for conversation as we got into his car, my phone pinging with a message once we were on the road.

Tempest: You sure you don’t want to come? Wolfe’s getting some of the good shit tonight.

My fingers hovered over the message as I read it three times. The temptation to do it was riding me hard.

I missed being high, but I’d managed to avoid it so far.

“Whoever you’re talking to, stop. You’re getting twitchy,” Maddox warned, snapping me out of my thoughts. I ignored Tempest and slid my phone into my pocket, not needing her to fuck up everything I’d done to stay clean.

“Girls, you know?” I joked lightly, and I could almost hear the wheels turning in his damn head as he glanced at me.

“Is this the same girl who tore you up? You seeing someone?”

“Me and her won’t work, so don’t get excited,” I murmured, looking out the window as we drove towards his house. “We’re like gasoline and fire. It wouldn’t end well for anyone.”

“If you need to scare toxic girls away, just mention it to Beck.”

“That’s a good idea. Then rumors can start that she’s fucking two of her brothers,” I deadpanned, a genuine laugh leaving him.

“She’s a good brotherfucker.”

“I fucking hate you,” I growled, spending the rest of the short drive glaring at him.

Chapter Five

Tempest

“Why did you need me to pick you up?” Mason asked as he lifted himself through my bedroom window, sitting on the edge of it once inside. “Damn, what happened in here?”

“My car’s out of gas and Dad’s cut my money off. Claims I need to learn to be responsible,” I grumbled, motioning to the mess of my room. “This was him looking for drugs.”

“You can stay with me if you want.”

“He’d only drag me home to spite me, and I know you mean well, but your buddies wouldn’t tolerate me living with you.”

“Did you just get laid?” He raised an eyebrow as he stepped closer to me, making me scowl. I pretended to be stupid, acting like Ryder’s cum wasn’t still between my legs. I’d gotten dressed when he’d left, but he was long gone by the time I was decent enough to step outside.

“What are you talking about?”

“Who’s been fucking you? I can smell it on you.”

“None of your business, Mase. Can we go before my parents get home?”

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