Page 56 of Shaken Knot Stirred

Tiny little sailboats that don’t have an engine don’t just explode. I didn’t go to college, I hadn’t even graduated high school, and even I knew Beg had done it.

Beg pointed a menacing finger at his brother and then walked away.

Nico paused and changed direction. He was going to head Beg off at his truck. The absolute lack of emotion coming from Nico scared me now.

“This is going to be bad,” I whispered.

Moxie took off in a full-out run to catch up. I followed.

She threw her body in front of Nico and sidestepped back and forth, preventing him from going around her.

He growled and grasped her by her shoulders. I sprinted forward and grabbed his wrist, and that seemed to break whatever spell had come over him.

Moxie looked like she was mentally dissecting him. I wondered what she saw in his aura and if it was half as terrifying as what I felt in the pack bond.

“Remember the second rule?” she said, ducking her head to try to make contact with Nico, who was pacing in a tight circle. “Nico, the second rule?” she said again, making him focus on the question.

“Arrrgh,” he said in a bad pirate accent.

“Keep yer wits about ye.” Moxie finished the sentence.

I snorted out a laugh and then quickly apologized.

“When we were planning our first heist, we had been obsessed with ‘Beta’s Booty’. You remember that trashy show?” Moxie explained. She was talking to me, but she didn’t take her eyes off Nico.

“Not really,” I shrugged. Over Moxie’s shoulder, I could see Beg making his way to his truck. I wiggled my fingers for Moxie to come closer. I wanted to shift Nico’s attention so he wouldn’t see Beg.

“What was the first rule?” I asked.

“Fuck first, ask questions later,” Nico said absently as he, too, was tracking Beg now.

He moved towards the truck, but his pace was much more sane.

As we got closer, Beg shouted, “What, no flowers or champagne to celebrate my victory? What sort of packmates are you?” He yanked off his damp t-shirt and balled it up before tossing it into the bed of his truck. His jeans were splotched with wet patches.

Nico stopped dead. I could feel his anger, but I could also feel fear. And I could feel Beg spoiling for a fight.

“Cheaters get what they deserve, Beg,” Moxie said, leaning seductively against the truck. That was enough to break Beg’s attention.

He put an arm on the truck and leaned over Moxie. Beg was your typical alphahole, abs for miles and biceps that looked like they could crush beer cans. Countless women and men threw themselves at him every single night at the Pax. His looks, plus his ownership of the club and his Knightbridge name, got him enough people to keep his bed warm. But to me, he’d always be the ugliest creature on this earth.

“Are you always such a cunt?” Beg asked with genuine curiosity.

“You haven’t exactly earned my sweet side.” Moxie batted her eyelashes and twirled a curl of hair.

“Earned? That’s rich coming from a dirty little thief.”

“Ugh, Beg, you really need to up your banter game here if you’re going to play comic book villain. Didn’t your fancy birth pack buy you a fancy education, or at least teach you sassy comebacks? Nah, I bet they spent all that money on your little brother instead.”

Hurt, genuine hurt, fluttered through the pack bonds. Nico and I shared a glance. Moxie had hurt his feelings.

“I want you working in the Vig tonight.” He switched topics to deflect.

“No can do.” Moxie picked at her fingernail like she didn’t have a care in the world.

“I said…”

“And I’ll need five hundred dollars.”

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