Page 6 of Ink & Reina

Her cheeks warmed, just like they always did when I called her sweetheart or sweet girl.

But she was a sweetheart. And she wouldalwaysbe my sweet girl. That would never fucking change.

I didn’t even have to turn to look to know that Jordan had just pulled into Reina’s driveway. My bike wouldn’t start when I’d gotten ready to leave, and I’d had no one else to call. I knew better than to have one of the MC guys come get me. Bringing the local outlaws to the mayor’s house? Yeah—no. That was just a recipe for disaster.

Reina came out of the house. I closed my eyes, drawing in a deep breath, a bad feeling settling in the pit of my stomach. I should have known she wouldn’t have missed the sound of Jordan’s car. It was loud—a deep rumble you felt in your chest. Straight pipes were illegal in this state, but that didn’t stop Jordan from having them.

My older brother wasn’t much better than our dad. He was a fucking dick, and more often than not, he and I clashed heads, always swinging fists.

Guessed the apples didn’t fall far from the tree when it came to us.

“Fuck,” I swore under my breath when Jordan’s eyes landed on Reina. I gripped Reina’s arm when she neared me, preventing her from turning to face Jordan. Her alarmed eyes locked on mine. “Donot, underanycircumstance, fucking be around him alone, you hear me?”

She frowned at me, fear lighting up her eyes for a moment. “Ink, what in the hell?—”

“Promise me, Reina,” I urged. I could not lose her to him. He would rip her apart. Shred her.Destroyher. He’d snuff out that light in her eyes and leave her a hollow shell.

He’d screw her up so badly that she wouldneverbe the same again. Sure, with time, her light might come back, but it would never burn as brightly, would never be as warm.

She would be forever tainted with the coldness he left on her soul, and I couldn’t have that.

She swallowed thickly. “Okay,” she whispered.

I drew in a deep breath and looked up. My eyes connected with Jordan’s. He was leaning against the side of his older Mustang, his lips tilted up in a smirk. “Long time, no see, brother.”

“I’m not your fucking brother,” I growled on instinct. I just wanted to get the fuck out of here, get him away from her.

His smirk widened. “By blood, I am, Drew.” My jaw tightened. “Not going to come welcome me with a hug?” he taunted. He and I both knew I wouldn’t. I liked him about as much as I liked Dad, which wasn’t much. Really didn’t like either of them at all.

He pushed off the car and moved toward me. I drew Reina a little closer against my side. Jordan turned on his charming smile—the one that made him look sweet and caring. It was all a fucking act. He was a master manipulator, and Reina was no match against him and his games.

“Well, you’re a fucking beautiful sight to behold.” Reina’s cheeks warmed, and she shyly looked away. My blood boiled in my veins. “If my brother isn’t being a good boyfriend, I’ll gladly treat you right, babe.”

I wanted to break his fucking neck, and the only thing keeping me from getting into a bloody fist fight with Jordan at that moment was the sweet, pure girl standing at my side. Sure, I’d knocked that kid on his ass earlier, bloodied his nose, but if Jordan and I got into it? She’d never be able to look at me the same.

I was a violent son of a bitch. Ienjoyedfucking someone up. Even now, my fingers twitched with the urge to draw blood. To coat my hands in the crimson liquid. InJordan’scrimson liquid.

Reina shyly tucked her hair behind her ear. “Um, we’re just friends.”

“Back the fuck off, Jordan,” I snarled at him. I wouldn’t have him fucking her up.

Reina frowned up at me. “Stop acting like my brother, Ink,” she whispered, embarrassment coloring her cheeks.

I glared at Jordan. Amusement lit up his eyes, and he licked his lips as he stared at the girl at my side like a predator having caught its prey.

He would destroy her—ruin her. I already knew it.

This sweet, pure girl that I’d come to love? He would destroy every single part of her until there was nothing but a mere shell of the girl I’d come to know.

“How about a date?” Jordan asked her, ignoring me. I didn’t think Reina could get any redder. I opened my mouth to say something, but Reina surprisingly shot me a dark look, shutting me up. I felt like I was between a rock and a hard place. If I butted in, I would run the chance of her shoving me away and dating Jordan anyway, except I wouldn’t be able to keep an eye on her while they did date.

“You’re the mayor’s daughter, right? I can swing by and pick you up about six tonight,” Jordan continued, bulldozing his way into her innocence.

Reina was sweet. Had never had a boyfriend before.

She was the perfect target for my brother.

She nodded. “I’d like that,” she whispered.

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