Page 48 of Wicked Oath

“Nothing. I can dress myself,” I say.

“You are lying to me,” he says, lifting my chin again when I won’t look at him.

“I’ll be downstairs,” I say with a shaky voice. Surprisingly, he lets me go. I slip on shoes and practically run from the room. I find that Torch, Rogue, and Knox are standing in the living room. I go to walk outside but Rogue stops me.

“What’s wrong?” he asks.

“Nothing,” I say. “Let go of me.”

“Come on. What’s wrong?” he asks. “You look panicked.”

“I just… nothing. I’m fine,” I say.

“Between us. We won’t say anything, Laney. What’s wrong?”

“You promise?” I ask.

“Absolutely,” he says. I nod and put my arms out for him to hug me. When he squeezes me against his chest, I whisper in his ear.

“Talon found me asleep in bed next to Jude,” I say. “I think he’s mad but trying to act like he isn’t.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong, sweetheart. Don’t worry too much. If he gets upset at you, you’ll know,” he says.

“Ready to go?” Talon asks.

“Yeah,” I say. I pull back from Rogue and he simply smiles at me.

We all load into the SUV, and I am sitting between Talon and Jude while Rogue drives. Knox is up front while Torch is behind us in the third row. I have my hands in my lap as I pick at my nails. I’m hyper aware of how they’re both touching me and it’s both overwhelming, yet comforting.

“Hey,” Jude says, nudging my bare leg with his hand.

“What, Jude?” I ask, pulling away from him.

“Since when do you call me Jude?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.

“Usually, I’m the only one you call by their real name,” Talon adds.

“I just won’t call him anything then. Jesus,” I say with an attitude.

“Snappy tonight, huh?” Jude chuckles. I roll my eyes at him before looking back at my hands.

“Sounds like someone needs a punishment,” Torch laughs.

“It does,” Jude remarks.

“And what could you possibly do to me?” I snap at him.

“I’ll leave that to your imagination,” he winks.

“Whatever,” I mutter.

I stay quiet for the rest of the drive. Once we park and Jude gets out, Talon grabs my arm. “What’s up with you?” he asks.

“Nothing. I’d rather be in bed,” I lie.

“Okay,” he shrugs and gets out. I jump out and stay beside him as we walk inside. Everyone greets us and a few of the other guys give me a hug and express their happiness that I am okay. We sit down on the couch and Jude sits in the armchair across from us. Rogue, Knox, and Torch take another couch and the whole building is buzzing with excitement. Everyone is happy and chatting while I sit and pick at my nails.

They all talk about how the new bar is doing while some girl in a leather mini skirt and her tits hanging out makes her way over to us. “Hello, boys,” she says sweetly. “How’s it hanging?”

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