Page 53 of Prince of Pain

“He tried calming her down, and she didn’t like being restrained. Scratched his neck and made him bleed too. She’s losing her damn mind, and I don’t know what to do. Punishing her just makes things worse,” he said in defeat. “So, should I be worried about Mason? He’s taken her for breakfast.”

I couldn’t tell him the exact truth or he’d track them down and kill him.

“Mase would marry her if she let him. He’s kind of in love with her,” I snorted. “He wouldn’t hurt her, and he stands up for her a lot.”

“People are giving her a hard time?”

“Don’t bite my head off for this, but she’s the town whore, Arch. Of course people give her a hard time. You haven’t noticed her lack of friends? Any friendships she had in high school were ruined when she fucked all their boyfriends and brothers. The people she does hang around only want to fuck her and send her packing.”

“And you? Are you just fucking her?” he snapped.

“She’s really difficult to say no to. Trust me, I’ve tried drawing a line.”

“Try harder. Did you touch her last night when she was upset?”

“Hey,” Marco bit out, not liking where the conversation was going. “Ry’s a lot of things, but he doesn’t have to take advantage of her to get her in bed.”

I tried zoning them out as they argued, but after a moment, I opened the car door and climbed out, hearing Marco curse as I slammed the door behind me.

I stalked away, snapping at him as he followed. “I just needed?—”

“I know. I know better, I’m sorry,” he said instantly, giving me space but watching me as I stopped walking. “Can I take you somewhere?”

“Where?”

“You’ll see. Seems to work with your mother when she’s feeling murderous, so maybe it will help you too,” he said seriously.

I let him drive, still not trusting myself to think clearly.

Chapter Ten

Tempest

“Are you mad at me?” I murmured, eyeing the scratches on Mason’s neck across the table at Harley’s Bar.

“No. Couldn’t hurt to apologize to your father though. He’s worried about you.”

“What did you two talk about?”

“I was just kissing his ass so he’ll let me visit,” he grinned, glancing up as the waitress brought us our food.

“Hey, Tempest,” she smiled sweetly, placing our plates in front of us. “How are you?”

“Who are you?” I asked in a bored tone, making her frown.

“Penn. I’m friends with Luna.”

“Oh, that’s right. You’re Cruz’s plaything.”

“Girlfriend, yes.”

“I fucked him, you know? Maybe I’ll fuck him again,” I answered smugly. I hadn’t touched Cruz, or any of the other guys she was currently dating, but she didn’t know that. Planting the information in her head would drive her mad and ruin her day.

I really was petty.

She just chuckled though, giving me an amused look. “I wouldn’t be surprised. From what I’ve heard, you’ve fucked everyone. Feel free to call Cruz and see what he says. Tell him I said hi.”

She walked off, and Mason’s eyes followed her back to the kitchen. “She’s kind of got you there, Temp.”

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