Page 83 of Broken Promises

“You’re cute, but you’re not that cute,” he joked, giving me a teasing grin as he headed towards Ashburn Valley. “I really hate people driving my car. I built it from scratch, it’s my baby.”

“I’ll never be able to afford my own car, you know that.”

“You will,” he answered, reaching over to rest his hand on my thigh. “You’ll have a cute little house with windows with no boards, and even if the car isn’t a fancy one, you’ll have wheels. I know you won’t accept it if I bought you one, but I can help you find something cheap when you’re ready.”

“From your dodgy chop shop, I suppose?” I drawled. I didn’t want parts of stolen cars in my possession.

“No. Believe it or not, but I have plenty of vehicles go through that are legit. It’s more like a wrecking yard with risks, that’s all.”

“Where is it?”

“Edge of Rawson Grove and Pine Valley. I have guys running it as a wrecking yard, but I can run my chop shop right out of it,” he shrugged, understanding hitting me.

“Hiding in plain sight is smart.”

“Exactly. We go through so many parts a year there. What’s useless we crush and destroy, the rest we can sell. The chop shop side of business doesn’t get used that much these days. I’m not involved in the illegal car activities.”

We were quiet for a few streets before I spoke again, my voice curious. “Do you miss it? It was your thing, right?”

“Going fast will always be my thing. The track doesn’t satisfy it all that much, but it’s better than nothing. Even if I went back to it now, I wouldn’t have the people I liked racing with. I’d never drag anyone back to it, and the other car groups around are idiots that just want to win, not race. They play dirty, and I’m not risking my life over it. Besides, seeing your face when youran into the hospital waiting room when Reid crashed? Yeah, I couldn’t do that to you again,” he answered honestly, giving my thigh a squeeze before letting me go to change gears as he slowed.

I would’ve done anything back then for Ander to take Reid’s place that day, but now? The thought of him lying in a hospital bed made me feel sick. I understood why he enjoyed the speed though because I’d enjoyed it last time too.

“Maybe we could go for a drive sometime?” I offered, making him frown.

“We’re driving right now.”

“No, I meant so we could go a little fast. Just us. Nothing too crazy, but maybe it will help you get that feeling again.” I laughed as he put his foot down a little harder, jerking the car forward for a second before slowing down again. “Not right now.”

“I’ll take you for a drive as long as you let me eat your pussy when we stop,” he murmured.

“Zav will get jealous. He wants to watch me squirt on your hood,” I smirked, reaching out to trace a finger up and down his arm.

“Say the words and I’ll film it for him,” he said seriously, not pushing, just letting me know it was an idea if I wanted to. “I’ll probably be home most of today, so let me know when you need picking up, okay? I’ll come and get you. Oh, I almost forgot.”

“Forgot what?” I asked slowly as he leaned over to open the glovebox, dropping a phone on my lap.

“New phone. It’s all set up, just put your sim card into it so you have your contacts.”

“Ander—” I was going to kill him.

“Don’t fight me on this. That phone might seem expensive to you, but it’s nothing to me. Your phone is a piece of shit, Raven. I’m surprised it even still works. Humor me, okay? I feelbetter knowing you have a reliable device and I can contact you on other apps,” he scolded, pulling over as we reached the mall area. “Go shopping, have fun, and hate-fuck me later. Deal?”

“Say please.”

“Please, Mommy?”

“Absofuckinglutely not,” I gagged, swatting at him as he laughed. “Crossed a line, Lavaro.”

“You should see your face,” he said through laughter, grabbing me as I scowled and went to open the door. “Don’t think you’re leaving this car without kissing me.”

“Bite me,” I smiled sweetly, grabbing the handle to let myself out.

I gasped as he fisted my hair and yanked me back, kissing me before I could argue about it. He kept a tight hold on me until he was done, leaving me panting while he was completely calm and collected.

“Have a good day, Bluebird.”

I got out in a daze, watching him drive off as I tried to get control of my heart rate.

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