Page 1 of Ruthless Angel

CHAPTER ONE

CLOVER

“They want Clover.” Daire’s words hung on the atmosphere, making it tight with tension.

Alarm sang through me, filling my veins with adrenaline. “Who’s Brady?”

Cash and Daire exchanged a look. When Daire didn’t answer, Cash said, “Brady Rollins is a piece of shit involved in human trafficking. He and his brother came across our radar a while ago. We set them up for a takedown but Brady got away. We killed his brother. Now he wants revenge.”

I felt like throwing up. Blaze had been right when he’d said they had enemies worse than the Gods. The Gods would never be involved in something so evil and disgusting.

“I guess I don’t need to ask why he wants me.” I groped about for the counter, trying to steady myself before my weak legs gave out.

“Motherfucker thinks he can take our girl and sell her off,” Daire muttered, staring at his phone. “He’s a fucking dead man.”

“Don’t worry, Clover. We won’t let Brady get his hands on you.” Sliding an arm around my shoulders, Cash pressed close, his warm body offering comfort.

I took a deep breath. My head spun a little from the shock of learning that someone wanted to sell me like a product. “What about Blaze? How do we get him back?”

“Good question. Brady has people. More people than we have. We’re outnumbered.” Cash glanced at Daire, like he hoped his friend would have a solid idea.

Daire stood silently for a moment before turning and slamming a fist into the wall beside the stove. His angry shout of frustration made my heart race.

My voice was a breathy whisper when I said, “We could go to the Gods. Raina would want to help.”

“Absolutely not.” Daire whirled on me, his expression a mask of fury. “I will not be indebted to the Gods. Not now, not ever. That is not an option.”

“They wouldn’t want to help us anyway,” Cash agreed. “Not without making us pay for it. There’s bad blood with the Gods, Sunshine. You know that. I know you’re trying to help but that’s not a good idea.”

I frowned, annoyed that they wouldn’t even consider it. The Gods had manpower. A lot of it. They had connections to the mob. Raina would do anything to help if she knew that these guys were threatening me.

“These guys want me,” I pointed out. “Raina would never let anything happen to me. We can go to her. I know she would help.”

“Don’t even think about it.” Daire pointed a finger in my face. “If you go to the Gods behind our backs, I’ll string you up in the basement for a week. I still owe you for selling us out to the Gods. Trust me, Clover, you don’t want to test me right now.”

My fear gave way to irritation. I jerked back, almost falling against the stool in my effort to avoid Daire’s finger. “Get your finger out of my face, Daire. I’ve had enough of your attitude for one night.”

The guy who’d gently rubbed aloe vera gel on my raw ass was gone. Back in his place was the fiery asshole I’d grownaccustomed to. Should’ve known the kindness would be short-lived.

Daire grabbed me by the throat, stepping in close so we were eye to eye. “Don’t push me on this. You really don’t want to fuck with me. Unless maybe you enjoy having your ass spanked raw and your body carved up by my knife. How much more do you think you can take, Angel?”

We glared at one another while I decided how I wanted to respond. Encouraging him to do as he’d threatened wasn’t in my best interest. However, I was sick and tired of taking his crap.

“All right, I get it. I won’t ask for help. Now back off and stop taking your anger out on me.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I held Daire’s piercing stare, silently willing him to cut the shit.

“I think we all need to chill,” Cash broke in. His arm tightened around me, as if he’d pull me away from Daire. “We need to do something. Maybe try tracking Blaze’s phone. Check his last location.”

I doubted that Cash would be my savior. He’d been all too happy to participate in everything they’d done to me so far. Although he seemed to know how close to the edge Daire was right now. He seemed tightly wound, ready to snap.

Releasing my throat, Daire stepped back and turned his attention to his phone. It didn’t surprise me that they were able to track one another. Considering their vigilante activity, it made sense that they put such things in place for safety.

Daire studied his phone for a minute before saying, “It’s an address across town. Looks like a business. Let’s go check it out.”

“Do you think that’s a good idea?” Cash shook his head uncertainly. “They’ll be expecting us to make a move.”

“We won’t try anything stupid. I just want to see if Blaze is still there and what kind of security they have.” Daire stuffed hisphone in a pocket and headed for the door. “Get dressed, Clover. You’re coming with us.”

“Do I have to?” My heart leapt into my throat. I didn’t trust Daire not to hand me over as a trade for Blaze.

---