My voice lowered in hopes of keeping it from Sienna and Pete, but they were standing right there, so they were going to get a first-row seat to this showdown.
But it had to be said.
“You don’t get to come here bossing me around, Otto.”
I had enough of that from my brother.
Pete and Sienna looked between each other in discomfort before Pete mumbled, “I need to get back to work. Hope you figure out who it was.”
It’d be better for whoever this poor idiot was if we didn’t. He had no idea what he was dealing with. Stupid kids.
“I’d better get back, too. I’m supposed to be clocked in.” Sienna hesitated, like she wasn’t sure she should leave me.
“It’s okay. You don’t need to worry.”
Otto standing next to me guaranteed I was in no danger.
Her nod was reticent, definitely seeing it, too, and she took a step forward and pulled me into a tight hug. “I’m sure it’s nothing. Text me if you need me, though, okay?”
“I will,” I told her, then asked, “I’ll see you at Otto’s party, right?”
Sienna’s brow lifted. “Is it still on?”
“Um, yes, it is still on. No chance we’re letting whoever this asshole is get in our way of a good time.” My voice was emphatic. Then I grinned. “Tell me you ordered something hot to wear.”
Her eyes widened in excitement, and she lifted her index finger. “Oh, good call. I’ll get right on it.”
“Your girl will always look out for you,” I teased.
Otto grunted, annoyed that I’d turned to happy topics rather than the one he looked like he was going to go ballistic over.
“We don’t need to be thinkin’ about my birthday right now, Raven,” he grunted low.
“Sure we do…how else am I going to remind Sienna that she has someone to seduce?” I said it completely innocent.
Sienna giggled a scandalous sound. “That I do. Okay, gotta go!”
She gave a tiny wave before she looked both ways then jogged back across the street. I watched her go, trying to ignore the heat wave that blasted me from the side.
When she disappeared into the café, there was nothing I could do but turn my attention back to Otto.
Otto who was nothing but a ball of hostility. Rays of sunlight blazed around him, making him appear an orb of fire.
That unease spun in my belly, but I tried to hide it behind an easy grin.
“This isn’t a big deal, Otto. People get vandalized all the time. You don’t need to get all surly and grumpy.”
“Oh, I can assure you I’m a whole lot more thangrumpy, Raven.”
I rolled my eyes as I started for the door. “I’m sure it was some thirteen-year-old boy going around tagging things.”
Little bitches bleed red.
Okay, maybe it wasn’t a typical tag.
But I couldn’t believe it was anything else. Couldn’t believe Tanner would be so petty.
I tossed open the door and stepped inside.