Page 18 of Survival

“Of course.”

Watching Jet whisk my sister out into the ever-moving crowd, I sighed in both relief and frustration. Izzy had enough stress without dealing with any more bullshitfrom Zane. I just wished it didn’t mean putting things on hold for Jet and I. This afternoon had been great, but even that moment had needed to be stolen, thanks to his random ass cousin showing up. I released a huffed growl and crossed my arms over my chest.Irritating men screwing everything up.

“Now, who’s got the attitude?”

“Oh, my God.” I jumped, my hand flying to my chest.

Nic stepped up next to me, a smirk playing on his lips. “Sorry.”

“Uh-huh.” He looked anything but.

“So, who’s that bloke?” He jerked his head towards Zane. “He doesn’t seem too happy that Jet cut him off, does he?”

I rolled my eyes, so not in the mood. “Must we talk?”

“I figured it couldn’t hurt since you’re dating my cousin and all. I imagine we’ll be forced into one another’s presence at times.”

I scoffed, though it really was the perfect way to put it.

“Again, so, who’s the bloke?”

I scowled up at Nic, irritated for a moment at how much he looked like Jet because he was far from like him. What the hell did he want from me? I wasn’t a fucking history book or a tour guide into the social relationships of Breaker Ridge.

Nic just raised an expectant brow and waited for his answer.

I sighed, resisting an eye roll, and shifted my gaze back to the thick muscled Hispanic that was currently shooting a death glare at my boyfriend.

“Basically, Zane is my sister’s asshole of an ex. He moved here at the end of last year and charmed his wayinto dating her, only to cheat on her the second he got a chance and then hit her when she refused to sleep with him. If Tucker hadn’t shown up…” I shuddered. “Well, none of us want to think about what he might have done. He’s definitely done enough since then.”

“Since then?” Nic actually looked concerned. “What else has he done?”

“He’s been harassing Izzy ever since she dumped him for Tucker that night, saying he wants her back. Like what he did doesn’t matter.”

“Okay…” Nic crossed his arms over his chest, looking out at the crowd. “So, he wants her back. Is it so bad for him to fight for her if he thinks there’s a chance?”

My head snapped to gape at him before I glared. “Are you even listening? Hehitmy sister. He severely injured Tucker a few months back over her. Izzy was in the hospital. He’s the reason…” I trailed off. He didn’t need to know everything, and it wasn’t my place to tell.

“Sorry, but if he’s that bad, if he hurt your friends like that, then why is he still around? Why hasn’t he been reported?”

“Because of when, where, and how everything always happens. His parents are lawyers, so any charges we bring against him they’ll throw right back at Tucker. He fought, too. Hurt Zane, too. Tucker could get in serious trouble since the fight was at a school event. Even with a solid defense on the why, Tucker’s sunk if it’s reported,” I seethed, knowing we’d been lucky things had been easily swept under the rug after that game.Thank God for rich relatives.Tucker hated using his grandpa’s reputation and pull for things, butthat night? That had been necessary.

Except that it also means Zane gets away with murder, even though Izzy refuses to see it that way, and Tucker won’t even talk about it.My teeth grit with my frustration while Nic frowned in contemplation.

“Well, that does present a problem, doesn’t it?”

I gave him a wry smile. “Unfortunately.”

“What’s unfortunate?” Izzy asked as she and Jet joined us, the tension of the conversation thick.

“Nothing.” I quickly dismissed it. “Where’s Tucker?”

“Emma took him up on his raincheck.” Izzy gestured to the pair as they weaved around the other dancers, their height difference almost comical. “But, hey, Mateo’s still looking for someone to dance with.” She bumped my hip with hers.

“Ugh…Izzy…”

Izzy grinned at my scowl. “Come on. Help run interference.”

“I take it Mateo and Emma don’t think my request was taken seriously earlier?”

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