Page 62 of The Villain

“Whoa!” Max raises his hands and takes a few steps back. “He means Trev freaked at first and now he’s trying to wrap her up in a little bubble and keep her home so she stays safe. She’s having a tough time with it but feels bad when she yells at him, not that he gives a shit. He told her this morning she wasn’t going to her own party.”

“Even I’m not that fucking dumb,” I shake my head. I’m close to that level, but not quite there yet.

“Prove it,” Asher says in a tone frosted over with ice.

“The fuck did you just say?” I stalk to meet him on the mats.

“Prove you’re not as fucked up as your exes. Get South and go for it. Stop playing around and hit her head on.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Max glares at him. “What happened to communication first? Not being a dick? Why does he get a free pass?”

“Words won’t sway her. Physical will. He’s a dumbass at communicating anyway, I’m saving his life.”

“Really,” I deadpan. “How’s that?”

“If you fuck up with her one more time, with Tera pregnant and not putting up with shit half as well as she usually does? You’re fucked, Shade. Get me? And I’m going to sit back with a beer and watch them both rip you into pieces.” Asher ends his speech with a smile filled with relish.

16. Pomegranate Lips

South

It’s bedlam at this bar. It’s the same one she used to work at. The one Trevor owns, or Andi, I don’t fucking know anymore.

I scan the parking lot and pause on a familiar vehicle. A white SUV with a New York license plate. How subtle. Even more subtle when they tailgated me while following me all over the place.

I’m not irritated about it anymore. I’ve reached a Zen with it. They never got close to reaching the apartment and soon I won’t have that issue hanging over my head either. I get my house keys tomorrow. Then it’s whatever new name Tera has given me and ordering my groceries online.

That doesn’t mean they don’t owe me. I’ll be taking my apology now, thanks.

I leave Tera’s gift in the car, along with my zip up hoodie. I’m about to do some work and I don’t want either one to get dirty.

I pull a knife from my boot and wrench it through the first tire. It lets out a loud sputter of air and begins to deflate. I do the same to the other three with relish. The last tire is a little bit of a struggle because the blade is getting dull with the heavy work. I’ll have to sharpen it when I unpack the kit for it.

Then I stand back and watch with a grin as it sinks to the ground like a lifeboat going down.

I turn around to see two girls gaping at me with wide eyes. They’re standing on either side of a car watching with fascination.

“Can you do that one?” The girl from the passenger side points out a fancy BMW with a shaking finger.

It starts a brief, quiet argument as I walk over and take in the car.

“She said yes,” friend one squeals as she bounces over to me. Friend two is a lot more hesitant and nervous.

I take in her shaking form and hunched shoulders with a frown.

“Both of you go back inside and make a big deal that you’re here. Alibi.”

Friend two nods desperately and friend one pouts. I lean closer to her and mutter, “I’m about to fuck this shit up. Don’t come back out to see until you hear whoever owns this car start screaming.”

“I love you, avenging angel,” she quickly pecks my cheek. I blink in surprise as she grabs friend two’s hand and drags her inside.

That’s a new one. This town is seriously fucked up. I’m starting to like it here.

I have fun with this one. I’m not subtle at all but no one says anything as I drag my knife up and down the sides then pop the tires. I’m about to go back to the truck for my tire iron when a guy stomps up. At first, I think he’s the car owner.

He goes to another car, pops the trunk, and pulls out a tire iron. I step back to get ready for a fight, shifting my hold on the knife. He marches around my still form and takes out every piece of glass on the car. I watch and rate his performance before I join him with my own tire iron.

I give him a nod as we both stand out of breath and he nods back with a grim smile. This chick has excellent friends. No wonder she felt comfortable with touching me.

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