Page 23 of Suspicious

He clears his throat and nods. “I mean… yeah. Being a prospect for the Serpents was fucking horrific. Those guys were animals. But coming over to Defiance was honestly the best thing that ever happened to me. I’m here with my sister, I’m being trained by the best brothers in the business, and the people here are…” his eyes wander up and down Clover a little too obviously, “…reallygreat to hang out with.”

Clover draws her lips in by her teeth and giggles like a schoolgirl.

Good god! I roll my eyes as Bea grins, slowly glancing up at me. Clearing my throat, I lift my chin. “If I’m making being a prospect too easy on you, Wes, then maybe I need to intensify your duties?”

Clover widens her eyes like she’s horrified her questions could lead to more work for Wes, but like the great prospect he is, he sits taller with a bright smile. “I’ll do anything you want me to,VP. Just let me know when and where. I’ll be there.”

Bea scowls, shaking her head, turning from me back to face Clover like she’s disappointed I would do such a thing. But that’s my job—to train the prospects.

I flare my nostrils and dip my chin. “Tomorrow morning, first thing, I want you on duty. I have a feeling it’s gonna get messy around here. We need someone who can function. Get Hayes on it with you. There’ll be shit to clean up, so be prepared.”

Wes gives me a thumbs-up. “You got it, VP.”

Bea turns to me, crossing her arms. “Do you get some kind of power trip from ordering people around?”

Clover and Wes both widen their eyes and quickly look away.

I rub the back of my neck, exhaling in frustration. “It’s my job, Bea.”

She laughs mockingly. “Really?Because it looks like you’re being your usual grumpy self and taking it out on an innocent victim.”

Clover snickers under her breath as Wes clears his throat. He’s about to speak, but I hold up my hand to stop him. “Don’t say a fucking word, Prospect.”

He shrinks back, furrowing his brows.

Bea scoffs and stands, shaking her head before she starts to walk off. “You’re unbelievable,” she mumbles.

My insides tremble, ready to explode as I go after her. Sweat trickles down my temple when I catch up, my face burning with the intensity of my rage. I grab her wrist, pulling her back to face me. Her eyes widen as I stop and then push her against the nearest wall. Her breath catches as I pin her there, snapping her wrist up beside her head, my body pressed against hers.

Our eyes lock.

Our breathing is rapid as I glare at her with vicious intent.

“You ever,evertalk like that to me in front of a Prospect—”

“You’llwhat,Alex?” she snaps back, interrupting me.

I can’t seem to find my breath, let alone any words.

The air around us ignites as I try to fight the urge to slam my lips to hers.

Desire.

Agony.

Torment.

Longing.

Everything swirls through me at once, at an uncontrollable rate.

My eyes drop to her supple lips—so tempting, so inviting.

Fuck.

Her breasts heave with the adrenaline surging through her. She draws her bottom lip in with her teeth, the sight of my undoing, and I can’t fight it any longer. I lean in, desperate to kiss her. Bea’s breath hitches, her eyes closing as she presses forward, her lips parting, granting me access. Surging forward, I feel her breath against my lips. A low growl escapes me. My fingers clench in her hair and—

“Hey, is Bea here?” A voice breaks through the noise just before our lips touch, and instantly, we heave apart at the unmistakable sound of Theo’s voice.

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