Page 31 of Daughters of Chaos

Martin nods. "Well, Mason's a lucky guy."

"Thanks," I tell him, turning to head toward the exit. "Take care, Martin."

"See you around, Phoenix. I hope."

I give him a smile and a short wave as I head to my next class, wondering why the fib I told doesn't feel like such a lie. Raptor . . . my boyfriend. Wouldn't that be something?

18

Phoenix

Tonight, Dad called a meeting with the guys at the bar. So Lace and I decided to surprise them with a family-style dinner since everyone would be in the same place at the same time. When we pull up, almost everyone is there already. She shoots me a bright smile as we grab our totes of food and head inside. "They're gonna love this, Phoenix."

I can't help but mirror her excitement. "I hope so. It's been so long since we've seen everyone. I hope they like what we made."

"They will." She beams at me.

The place is packed when we get inside. All the guys are scattered around tables and seats at the bar. When Lace and I walk in with armfuls of food, they all perk up. "What's all this?" Dad asks, grabbing the box out of my hands.

I shrug. "We thought we'd surprise you all with dinner. It's been a while since we've all been together."

The corner of his mouth ticks up, and he has the guys grab the rest of the food from the car. "This is great, Phoenix. Thank you."

He has the guys start pushing tables together while Lace and I set out plates and food. When everything is ready, Dad calls Raven and Jesse out from behind the bar to join us. It's only us inside right now, and there are no customers to take care of, so our timing was perfect.

Rae grabs a seat next to me as she talks to Jesse. On my other side, Raptor snags the chair, flashing me a quick smile as he digs in. We haven't had time to talk about our almost-kiss since it happened, but the hand he places on my bare knee tells me he wanted it as badly as I did. My breath hitches as he squeezes my leg, and I'm instantly thirty degrees warmer.

As if he knows it, Raptor watches me as he brings his fork to his mouth. I lick my lips as his tongue juts out, wiping every morsel of food from the utensil.Oh, the things I want him to do to me . . .

A gentle kick from Raven reminds me that we're not alone, jerking me back to reality as I grab my water. The rest of the meal continues with pleasant conversation, heated looks, and more than one under-the-table touch. Each time Raptor's hand moves against my leg, I forget how to breathe.

By the end of the meal, I've worked up the courage to return his scandalous teasing by sliding my fingers halfway up his thigh. I feel giddy when he tenses at my actions, and his answering look has me ready to melt.I need to be alone with him again.

Before I can suggest anything, Dad comes over to thank me and Lace for putting everything together. He even surprises me by pulling me into a hug. Raven watches wide-eyed as she heads back behind the bar.

After Dad and the rest of the guys filter into the back room, Lace and I slide onto empty barstools to chat with Raven whileshe works. Looking at the door the men disappeared behind, I wonder aloud, "What do they talk about in there anyway?"

Lace and my sister share a look before Rae quickly says, "It's probably better we don't know."

"What do you mean?"

"It's probably just shop talk and lame dude jokes," Lace answers. "You know, the guys talking about whoseengineis bigger and that kind of thing. I'm sure it would bore us to death."

I notice a strange look cross Raven's face. When she sees me watching her, she plasters a fake smile on her lips.Weird.I know there's something they aren't telling me. They're shielding me from it for some reason, but I choose not to bring that up. For now.

After a while, the meeting finally ends and the guys start filtering out of the back room. Dad stops to talk to a few of the guys as Bear greets Lace before she heads out. I notice Stitch leave right after her, as do several of the others.

"You heading home?" Dad asks.

I nod. "Yeah. I still have some homework to finish up."

"Alright. I'll have Raptor head back with you and make sure you get home okay."

My eyes flit to where Raptor is standing, talking to Jesse and Raven. I try to hide the excitement in my voice as I reply, "Okay, sounds great."

Dad thanks me again for dinner before whispering something to Raptor. When Raptor's eyes meet mine, I look away, saying bye to Raven and Jesse.

"You ready?" The timber of Raptor's voice has my skin prickling as he appears next to me.

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