Page 163 of Falling in Reverse

And that’s all that she says, observing me like it’s something she needs to pass a final exam for. She takes me in and gives shit away, the tip of her tongue pushing her cheek out a tad.

“What?” I finally snap, because she’s fucking past annoying me.

“Why are you being nice to me? I had you jumped.”

I scoff. “That wasn’t being jumped, Astor. That was being half-ass cornered.”

“I could’ve had you shot.”

“But you didn’t.” I lift a brow. “Why was that again?”

She shrugs dismissively. “I already shot one of you this month. If you want me to tack you on for the next one, just let me know.” I roll my eyes. “Who has my sister?”

“Reeve.”

Her shoulders seem to relax at the mention of his name, and it also shuts her up, too.

The clattering and sounds of coffee machines hum in the background as Bay looks out the window to her right and it doesn’t take a brain scientist to know that she has a lot on her mind. That she ran into her piece of shit ex who just shot her best friend.

And I don’t even know if she’s dead yet. I didn’t ask.

All I was worried about was getting the fuck out of there and into a safer spot while I’m aware she has two younger sisters she takes care of.

“Well, what’s this?” My focus slides to my side, finding Vivian in a pink dress with a scowl so heated it only means that I’m going to get more of a woman’s bitching than I had hoped for tonight. “Are you on a fucking date?”

“Dates speak to each other,” I reply tersely. “And get the hell out of here, Vivian.”

But that’s a waste of breath, because she never does what I ask her to do.

“What is she doing here?” She points at Bay, who’s quick to slap her finger away.

“Don’t do that,” she clips out. “Shit’s rude.”

“Bitch, I will have your ass beat. The fuck are you doing with my—” Bay’s chair flies back, hitting the one behind her and catching on its back so it doesn’t crash to the floor.

Meanwhile, Emilio Wildes’s daughter rounds the table and aligns with Vivian, who only stands an inch taller because she’s in heels.

“I’m really not in the mood right now,” Bay grounds out with her hands balled tightly at her sides. “No one wants your man but you. Trust me when I say it’ll stay that way.”

“Get out of my face,” Vivian carps back.

“Keep runnin’ your fucking mouth or I’m going to shut it. Do you understand?—”

“Bay,” I chime in, her name my one and final warning to not start shit. She’s not the only one not in the mood.

She hesitates before following my instruction, taking a small step back to give my ex some space.

I’m only able to appreciate her listening to me for a mere moment because that’s when Vivian does what Vivian always does.

And that’s taking it a step further when there’s really no need to.

She reaches out for Bay and latches on to her long black hair, yanking down on it so hard that Bay actually bends forward.

Quickly rising, I’m between them in seconds, my back to Bay and my hand wrapped around Vivian’s throat.

“Let fucking go,” I growl out, meeting determined and angry forest-green eyes. “I already told you that I’m not on a fuckin’ date, and even if I was, that’s none of your damn business.”

“It is my business,” Vivian leers, unafraid of my grip around her neck. “We’re together. And I’ll be damned if some South Shore slut spreads her legs for you.”

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