Page 96 of Unraveled

I shifted my stance to show her she could bring it. I wasn’t backing down, and some part of my brain told me I didn’t even know what she had to say yet, but my hackles were rising regardless. As much as I’d hated her before, I did not trust her as far as I could throw her after seeing her near Zane.

“I didn’t realize they were letting mangy strays in. No decent parties in Outer Ridge tonight? You had to come spread your fleas around ours?”

Her gaze narrowed. “You’re so fucking crass. Maybe that’s why I don’t see Jet anywhere near you. He’s sick of your mouth.”

“And I’m sick of your face. I thought we were done with your ass when you got fired.”

Her eyes flared. “Yeah, thanks for that. I heard about the complaint you made and the sexual harassment claim you made Jet file. Must be nice having connections to the boss. I wouldn’t be surprised if you fuck him, too, with how quickly you cost me my job.”

“Bitch.” I stepped forward, almost pulling my hand free to smack her, but I clenched my fist instead. “Youcost yourself your job by not keeping your hands offwhat’smine.”

“Yeah, well, we’ll see how long he’s yours.” She took a step forward to match mine. Hardly any space was left between us, and fire pulsed through the air with my anger.

“Still haven’t clued in that he doesn’t want you?”

“Who says he doesn’t?”

I scoffed. “You’re fucking unbelievable.Delusional. What the fuck are you even doing here? I’m not kidding. Jet doesn’t want you.”

Ruby’s smirk just grew. “We’ll see. And I’m here helping a friend. But it’s always a bonus when I get to piss you off.” She leaned in, a glint of power in her eyes as she hovered near my ear. “It’s fun seeing how jealous you are.Everydig you think you need to throw at me and every time you get pissed when I’mnearhim, just tells me I’ve got a shot. If y’all were as golden as you say you are, you wouldn’t care. And Jet’sneverpushed me away.”

My muscles coiled to lunge as she leaned back, ready to wipe that fucking smirk from her face, when a strong arm slid around my waist and pulled my back flush against a familiar chest.

“Am I interrupting something?” Jet glanced between the two of us as I glared, still coiled to attack.

“Nope.” The bitch smiled sweetly, dropping her arms as she jutted her chest. “We were done here, but I was planning to look for you. I brought that book back that your cousin let me borrow. It was really good. David and I parked near your car, so I went ahead and put it in that duffel bag I saw on your floorboard.”

“Uh, thanks…”

I huffed, holding back a growl at how he still wasn’t telling her off.

“I better go track down David. Catch y’all later.” She waved before walking away, but Jet didn’t release his hold on me until she was out of sight.

I spun and fixed him with a heated glare. “Thanks? She was in yourcar, babe, and all you could say wasthanks? Not stay out of my shit?”

“Stay out of my shit? Really?”

“You know what I mean. You’re too nice with her.”

Jet closed his eyes and made a frustrated groan-type sound in the back of his throat. “Yeah. Probably.”

“Definitely. Idon’tlike sounding jealous, but I guess I am. Because according to her, you’ve never pushed her away. You need to actually tell the bitch that you don’t want her because right now, she still thinks she has a chance with you.”

Jet’s brow shot up. “Is that what she was saying when I walked up?”

“Yep. I mean it, babe. You see her again? Whether she pulls anything or not, you need to shut her down. I’m fucking done with the bullshit.”

Jet wrapped an arm around my back and pulled me to his chest. “You should be. I’ll set things straight next time. I swear,” he growled the last words against my mouth.

My breath hitched, every inch of my body reacting to the possessive sound. “How did this suddenly get sexual?” I smirked against his lips and felt him smile against mine.

“There’s something sexy about my woman getting fired up to defend us. I like it when you get possessive.”

Oh, my God. I did a mental eye roll even as desire flared in my belly, and I slid my arms under his to wrap my fingers in his hair at the nape of his neck. “Because you’re fucking mine, babe. But I need you to defend us, too.”

“I will.” He nipped at my bottom lip, just the right amount of pressure to send a jolt of desire between my legs, then covered my mouth with his in a possessive kiss.

Chapter 30

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