“Then I’d tell you not to quit your day job. And that I’m very limited on patience.”
Same.
“Then I’m gonna have to insist that you might wanna get into your vehicle, Mr. Wildes.”
“That’s my father.”
“Well, if you wanna see him again…” The rev of one bike finally gains Ramsey’s attention as he flicks it to the looming forest that holds, not only my heroes, but boys who aren’t afraid of flying bullets or not going home tonight. They live off danger and fucked-up jobs that are handed down by The Nameless.
Shit, for all I know, some of those boys are part of South Shore’s gang, though I’m not going to ask any questions.
Ramsey steps back, as if he knows that if he doesn’t move closer to his black SUV, he might not make it in time before projectiles fly all around him. And I’m sure Daddy Wildes would like him snug in his bed and at breakfast tomorrow.
He mindlessly lowers his weapon, which is stupid because mine is still raised in the air.
However, he’s too entranced by what’s about to come down the line. As though he’s just waiting for something.
Meanwhile, I’m so beyond relieved I can’t even express it in words.
The whine of dirt bikes breaches through the tall trees, the cracking of assault rifles going off from both sides, and I flick my focus to each bike, searching for Levi with each appearance through the forest.
Then I spot him, white t-shirt and a red stain at his shoulder.
Shit.
Moving toward the back of the beaten Supra, I impatiently wait behind it, hunched down to not catch a bullet and stew over him getting hit.
This is why I didn’t want us involved in gang shit.
But here we are doing business for them while risking our lives. This war, both rival gangs, the fact that someone broke into my home the other night, I crave so much more for my family than this.
I love South Shore, but at what cost?
I hear a truck take off and some bikes go after it before one creeps closer, and I already know who it is.
Glimpsing over my shoulder, I find Levi on the back of a bike with Juice, his hardened stare on me, and combing over my body for what I immediately noticed earlier on him.
“You good?”
“Yeah.”
“Car looks solid, Bay,” Juice teases, chewing on his gum and only pointing out what I didn’t want to deal with right now.
His deep emeralds look playful because he loves this shit, and I roll my eyes because it was anything but fun just a few moments ago.
“Shut up,” I grumble, rising to my feet and looking behind me at the road. Ramsey and his band of dickheads are already gone with the boys, chasing them out of South Shore like I thought.
“Let’s get the fuck out of here,” Levi orders. “Hot Rod is gonna drive you home.”
And on cue, he’s rollin’ upon us with his lime green dirt bike and a cheesy smile on his face. “Hey, girl, badass drivin’.”
“Dude nailed me in the tire.”
He shrugs, his muscles testing the seams of his black tee. The dude could lift this car and carry it home if I needed him to. “Happens.”
“Get her home, Rod,” Levi carps out. “She’s got school?—”
“I’m headin’ to the yard,” I retort sharply through narrowed eyes. “The quicker we get those guns loaded up and sent out, the better for all of us. That was Ramsey Wildes, Lev.”