Page 70 of Blade

Pulling up in front of The Coffee Shop, I saw Becca, Rachel, and Ryder sitting together at a table. I walked over to the prospect, choosing to deal with him first.

“Prospect.”

The kid jumped up from where he was leaning on his bike, looking at his phone. Is that why he didn’t see Ryder approaching my woman? This was a common occurrence with Ryder and Rach, so if he had been paying attention, he should have expected what was coming.

“How old are you, Prospect?”

“Eighteen, sir.”

“Cut the sir shit.”

“Yes sir.” He winced, realizing what he had done.

“Listen, you’re off the hook here as far as being inside with the girls. VP told you to stay outside, and he outranks everyone but the Prez. Also, Beck isn’t my old lady.”

I turned to watch her through the window for a moment before turning back to the kid. “Yet. So relax, you did nothing wrong there.”

“Thank you, s—” I cocked an eyebrow at him. “Thank you.”

“But those women in there? They outrank you!” I scolded him, pushing my finger into his chest. “When youare guarding over them, you stay off your fucking phone unless a brother calls. Got it?”

He gulped and nodded his head.

“I want to hear the words, Prospect.”

“I understand, Blade. No phone unless a brother calls and my eyes on them every second.”

“We might just whip you into shape after all.”

I turned away and strolled back over to my bike. I parked my ass on the seat and stretched my legs out in front of me, crossed at the ankles. With my arms folded across my chest, some people might think I was relaxed, but as I glared through the window at Ryder, I willed him to come outside.

I didn’t have to wait long before he swaggered out and stood right in front of me, crossing his arms over his chest just as I did.

“What the hell are you doing, Ryder? Are you trying to get your ass beat by Cash?”

“What the fuck are you doing,Blade?”

I stood to my full height and narrowed my eyes at my childhood best friend. “You wanna try that again?”

Dropping his arms, I could see his hands fisted at his sides.

“Stop playing with her. Why the hell did you kiss her last night? And why the fuck did you kiss her the day you died? If you aren’t man enough to tell her the truth, then stay the fuck away from her.”

I stood there, stunned that he knew any of this.

“My relationship with her is none of your fucking business.”

“She is one of my best friends. I care about her.”

Getting in his face, I snarled, “And you think I don’t? You fucking know better than that.”

“You need to stop being an asshole,” Ryder shouted back at me.

“Hey, Blade.” the prospect called out, and I turned my attention toward him. Ryder used the distraction to punch me in the face.

“NO.”

I heard Becca yell as I shoved Ryder against the front window and heard her cry out again.

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