Page 88 of Filthy Liar

“I know. You’ve been wanting this more than you tell me, Zav. Just don’t bring work home with you, and I’ll be fine,” she answered, looking over at Slash. “Keep him safe.”

“I intend on it,” he smiled, motioning to Rory as she glanced our way. “Hey, Killer. Lopez finally wants that jacket.”

“It’s about time,” she chuckled, and BG grumbled something about that being a terrible idea as he walked back inside, leaving us alone.

“Don’t you guys have to vote or something?” I asked, not understanding how Slash could just make him a member, but Rory leaned back against her car, eyeing me.

“Slash wouldn’t have asked unless he had the crew’s approval first. We voted ages ago whether he should be invited in. It only cemented our choice this week when he risked his life for us.”

“Please don’t make a habit of that,” Raven said seriously, glancing at her phone. “There’s some fights on at the Pit tonight, if you want to go? Unless you’re needed at the Shed.”

Zavier glanced at Slash, who shook his head. “We have some fights of our own tonight, but Harley’s got the bar, and Diesel’s on the door playing security. We don’t need you tonight unless there’s an emergency. Follow us to the Shed, get your jacket, and wear that shit around the Heights tonight. People need to know you’re a Bloody Psycho now.”

I could tell Zavier was stupidly excited, despite keeping it off his face. He’d been wanting this for so long, holding back to save Raven from more stress.

Everyone started moving towards the cars, but I took Raven’s hand to slow her steps as Zavier walked ahead with Beckett.

“It’s okay to be scared for him, Bluebird,” I said quietly, her hand tightening in mine.

“He has to come home to me. I know things can go wrong, but I’m sick of living in a constant state of fear. He really wants this, and I know I’m the reason he’s been holding back,” she mumbled, glancing back at Rory and Slash as they climbed into her car. “I know they’ll do their best to keep him safe, but asking them to promise me he’ll always come home to me isn’t fair. It also won’t keep him in one piece, just because someone said he will be.”

“If you ever need to let go of some of the worry, feel free to take it out on me,” I chuckled, leaning down to give her a quick kiss.

“So kind of you,” she deadpanned, her face softening. “You guys are okay? They didn’t rough you up in there or anything?”

“Nah, we didn’t really see anyone until Slash was shoved in the cell too.”

“Have you slept?”

“Without your snoring, I slept like a baby,” I teased, earning a swat to the arm as she let my hand go.

“I don’t snore.”

“You do,” Zavier said as we reached him, a grin on his face. “Like a freight train.”

“But it’s a cute little freight train,” I added, and Beckett rolled her eyes.

“Felons in the back, girls up front.”

“Who’s driving then?” I asked dryly, and she flipped me off.

“Me, obviously.”

“You’re the biggest felon out of all of us. You literally got charged with murder,” I grumbled, and she flipped me off.

“Me? I’m a contributing member to society. I simply took the trash out.”

We climbed in the back so Raven could fix the seat and get in the front, and Beckett headed in the direction of the Shed.

Raven

The Shed had been dead quiet when we arrived since it was only nine in the morning. Watching Slash hand the Psychos jacket over to Zavier made me realize exactly how badly he’d been wanting to be a part of them.

The skull on the logo seemed to stare at me as he slid it on and turned around to show us, the new black leather creaking from the movement.

“Hey, we’ve got his back,” Beckett murmured, nudging my shoulder and drawing my attention away from him.

“It’s the only reason I’m okay with this.”

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