Page 61 of Ruthless Angel

Pete frantically rambled off a list of potential bars and gentlemen’s clubs along with a few of his favorite restaurants. I made note of them all, jotting them in my new phone. When he had nothing left to give us, the real punishment started.

Cash slammed his fist into Pete’s face over and over. So hard that Pete spat out a tooth. That wasn’t enough for Cash. He kicked Pete in the temple, sending him flying onto his side on the hard ground.

Fisting Pete’s hair, Daire dragged him upright, back onto his knees. “You deserve so much worse than what you’re getting. You know that you’re a piece of shit, right?”

“I know,” Pete blubbered, his eyes wide and panicked. “I’m a piece of shit. I fucked up. Please, don’t kill me. I’ll leave town. I’ll never touch a girl again.”

Blaze walked a slow circle around him, snickering. “Well, you’re right about that last part.”

He grabbed Pete by the back of the head and slammed him down face first into the asphalt. A nasty crunch made my stomach turn as his nose shattered. Blood poured down his face. He spat out a second tooth.

“Your turn, Clover.” Daire gave me a gentle nudge.

I pulled out the switchblade that I now carried all the time. Stepping up in front of Pete, I carved the word pig into hisforehead. Brady was the one I really wanted. This wasn’t nearly as satisfying as it should have been.

Blood slid from the etched word down into his eyes, trickling down his face. I stared at Pete dispassionately as I stepped back, motioning for the guys to finish him off.

They beat him until he was nearly unconscious. Only then did Blaze put the gun to his head and pull the trigger. I didn’t look away. I felt nothing. Not even satisfaction. Not until it was Brady Rollins.

“Are you all right, Rainbow?” Blaze touched my face, bringing my gaze to his.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I just wish it was Brady, you know?” I glanced down at my attire, finding it free of blood. “Can we go back to the party?”

“You just watched a man die and you want to go party?” Daire laughed. “You really are meant for us, Angel.”

I couldn’t argue that. “I want to go hang with my girls. I need them right now.”

We piled back into the car. I kept waiting to feel something. Guilt. Happiness. Anything. I felt nothing. I wasn’t sure if that was better or worse.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

BLAZE

“Who wants a burger? They’re almost ready.” Desmond stood at the grill in his backyard, flipping patties.

He held a beer in one hand, glancing over to where the rest of us sat on patio chairs in the yard. He’d invited us over for a barbecue and drinks. Not only had we been invited, but the Gods had been invited too.

I had a feeling this was Desmond’s way of forcing peace between our groups. Although he didn’t know the entire story between our two groups, he knew there was bad blood. Now that we were part of his organization, he didn’t want trouble among his people. Made sense to me.

“Sounds great, Desmond,” I said, getting up to grab myself another beer from the cooler. “Are you sure you don’t need any help with that?”

Popping the cap off the bottle, I ambled over to where he stood. I took a long swig of beer, savoring the way it hit the spot. Cold and refreshing after a hot summer day. The summer was starting to wind down now. It wouldn’t be long until fall hit and we were all back in classes.

“You can grab me that plate over there, if you don’t mind.” Desmond nodded to a stack of plates on the patio table.

While I fetched a plate, I noticed that Clover and Raina were happily giggling together while drinking cocktails. TheGods were sitting several feet from Cash, Daire, and I. We’d barely spoken to one another since arriving.

“I take it you boys are still not getting along all that well.” Nodding his thanks as I handed over the plate, Desmond gestured to where the Gods sat.

“We’ve managed to keep the peace because of Raina and Clover. Honestly though, I doubt we’ll ever be friends. We’ve got a history. It’s not good.” I chose to be honest, although no way in hell was I telling him why the Gods hated us so much. He’d probably have all three of us skinned alive.

Desmond placed burger patties with melted cheese onto the plate. “You’ve worked together a few times though, right?”

“Yeah, we have. Only because of our girls though.” I winced as the words came out. Desmond must have thought we were all a bunch of weirdos to share a girl in our friend group. Did he think it was messed up?

“I see. Well, I can’t force you all to be friends. However, I do prefer that those who work for me work well together and are able to trust one another. You can put that on the table.” To everyone else, he shouted, “Get your burgers while they’re hot. Buns are on the table. Does anyone want a hotdog?”

Everyone gathered around the table, loading their plates with burgers and potato salad. The Gods sat on the opposite side from us, as expected. Desmond sat at the head of the table where he could see all of us.

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