Page 11 of Filthy Liar

“Or Beckett got to him,” I said under my breath, earning a dirty look from Zavier.

“Beckett wouldn’t do that.”

“It’s exactly something she’d do,” Reid sighed, raking a hand through his hair. “I don’t know what to do about it.”

Raven was already trying to call Ander, her anger for him forgotten as the panic took hold. Regardless of his lies, he didn’t deserve to burn to death in his home.

The phone rang out, so she tried again. On the third attempt, a message came through.

Ander: I’m okay. Can’t talk.

“What does he mean he can’t talk?” Raven scowled, making Zavier wince.

“He’s around people that he can’t openly discuss things in front of, or he’s hiding and it’s not safe to make noise. The good news is that he’s alive. I know it’s difficult to trust him right now, but he’ll call when he can.”

“Beckett can give us answers then,” she replied bluntly, moving too fast for us to grab her as she sprung out of bed and left the room.

“Shit,” I muttered as we followed, and I almost tripped myself as I pulled my sweats on as I walked.

“What the fuck did you do?” Raven bit out as she marched into the kitchen ahead of us, my nerves growing when I realized Beckett was sitting at the table with Maddox and Zane.

Zane’s emotionless gaze ran over Raven, and I knew he was probably sizing her up for a body bag, not checking her out.

Reid was tense, but he knew better than to start a fight with him. We didn’t need that on top of our current issues.

Zavier’s mouth twisted into a scowl but he didn’t say anything either, knowing exactly what happened when Zane got his hands on you.

Beckett eyed Raven for a second before shrugging. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Did you burn down Ander’s house?”

“Unfortunately, no. Someone beat me to it,” she said dryly, amusement flashing in her eyes.

“You had something to do with it!” Raven snapped, moving forward and swinging her fist out, but Maddox was thankfully ready for it and snagged her bicep, hauling her back before she could punch Beckett.

I knew Raven was super pissed if she was taking swings at someone like Beckett.

“I don’t give a fuck if you’re in love with that lying mafia prince or not,” Maddox said sharply, getting to his feet and giving her a shove back to add more distance between the girls. “But you’ll watch yourself under this roof.”

“Is this one a plaything, or do you genuinely like her?” Zane asked Beckett, sounding curious.

“She’s a friend,” Beckett answered bluntly, knowing where the conversation was going. “Do not maim her.”

“Are you finally going to let me maim Lopez then?”

“Also friend.”

“I preferred it when you didn’t fucking have any of those,” Zane grunted, his lip lifting in a sneer as Raven glared at him. “Keep glaring at me and your guardian hellhound over here won’t save you.”

“Did you just call me a dog?” Beckett asked as she sipped her coffee.

“If I wanted to call you a dog, I’d just call you a dog. Guardian angel didn’t suit you,” he deadpanned. “This bitch tried to swing at you. You’re just going to let that shit slide?”

“It’s like a proud mommy moment. I’ve been trying to get her to be more violent for weeks,” she joked, but she gave Raven the side-eye. “Don’t do it again though.”

“Promise you had nothing to do with it,” Raven demanded, some of the anger leaving her.

“I didn’t go after your snake of a boyfriend, no. Working on it though,” she replied, making me groan.

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