Page 4 of Forever Golden

“Ah, I see.” That cocky smile of his is back. “This got anything to do with that photo Pandora just put up?”

“What photo?” My heart races with the question.

“The one with you getting out of Golden’s truck. You wouldn’t be the first person who wants to shoot that motherfucker.”

He laughs, but I’m nowhere near amused. And when my phone goes off again, I’m also not surprised that it’s Ricky this time. Apparently, I’m the last to know Pandora’s already exposed my encounter with Vin.

Well, there goes my plan to go quietly into the night.

Shit.

With fear spiking and my mind going in a thousand different directions, I hadn’t even considered the fact that one of her minions might’ve seen. Which is all the more reason why I shouldn’t be here.

“Just… forget it.”

I’m already halfway down the steps when I speak those words, regretting that I ever thought this was a good idea. I mean, yeah, I have every reason to be terrified of Vin Golden, but if there’s one thing I know for sure about this city, it’s that secrets never stay secret with Pandora around.

“I’ll set something aside I think might suit you, ‘cause whether you like it or not, you’ll be back, Lil’ Ruiz,” Tommy calls out after me.

I don’t bother answering as he watches me speed-walk down the sidewalk, trudging through the snow. All because, deep down in my heart, I’m almost certain he’s right.

Chapter 3

WEST

The guys and Joss pull up right behind me when I brake at the curb in front of Southside’s house. I barely even have time to shift into park when a third set of headlights are in the rearview mirror. Glaring, I make out the silhouette of a sleek, blue muscle-car that I hate I can recognize.

Ricky.

Of-fucking-course.

Doesn’t surprise me that he showed up, but that doesn’t mean I’m not pissed about it. He gives off a vibe when it comes to Southside. Like he thinks he’s the only one who can protect her. Chances are he saw Pandora’s update just like the rest of us, but damn. What part of‘she’s moved on’doesn’t this asshole understand?

If she needs anything from anyone, ever, I’ve got that shit covered.

Cursing under my breath, I step out onto the street. Ricky does the same, shrugging into a dark leather jacket as he cuts a look toward me. Pretty sure our thoughts are the same when our gazes lock—fuck this guy.

In the brief second when his interior light flashes on, I see he’s got Shane and Scarlett in the back. My brothers and Joss crunch snow beneath their boots as they move in closer, and Ricky’s half a step behind. He waits at the foot of the steps, keeping his distance while I bang on the security door with my fist.

There’s unspoken tension when it comes to him and me. It’s the reason I know this false sense of civility between us won’t last. Why? Because he’ll eventually open his damn mouth and say some shit that’ll set me off.

Always does.

“Guess everything I said to you went in one ear and out the other,” he grumbles.

Here we fucking go.

I glance over my shoulder and the hateful glare set on me shouldn’t be surprising.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” I ask with gritted teeth because…Why the fuck is he here?!?!

Shaking his head, he scoffs. Like something I just said is unbelievable to him.

“I told your ass to back the fuck off, but let me guess what happened. You wanted her, right? So bad that you willingly put her dead in the center of your daddy’s crosshairs.”

I turn and face him completely now, hating that every time I look into this motherfucker’s eyes, I see it. Everything he feels for her. He wears that shit right on his damn sleeve, out in the open for me and everyone else to see. He’s damn-near arrogant when it comes to loving her. So, if I haven’t said it yet… Fuck. Ricky. Ruiz.

Fuck him.

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