Page 7 of Filthy Liar

“Who?” I asked, a little surprised when she stalked towards me and gave me a shove. My back hit the wall and I used what little energy I had to shove her back. The food we’d eaten on the way here had just put me in a food coma, and now I wasreallytired. “The fuck was that for?”

“Don’t play games with me. You’re here needing somewhere to stay and missing a member of theRaven’s Pussy Lover’s Committee, which means that fucker finally screwed you over like I said he would. What the fuck did Lavaro do? Other than mess up your face,” she demanded, staring me down.

“He didn’t touch me,” I said sharply, pissed at him but not wanting him to take the blame for my injuries.

“Don’t cover for him.”

“I’m not.”

“Back off, Donovan. She was kidnapped,” Zavier said as he stepped between us, his hand going back to take mine.

“Please don’t tell me it was the mafia prince,” Maddox grunted, giving us a dirty look like it was our fault when we didn’t reply. “Great. I just lost fifty bucks.”

“You bet on Raven being fucking kidnapped?” Reid growled, but Beckett rolled her eyes.

“No, we bet on Dante not being the good boy Ander said he was. Dante kidnapped you and smacked you around?” she asked, making a sound of annoyance when Zavier didn't move from in front of me. “I’m not talking to you. Move.”

“Are you going to stop throwing your attitude around?” Zavier asked dryly.

“Absolutely not. Move. This is why people think she’s weak. She can handle herself, so let her fucking prove it,” she huffed, watching me as I stepped around him to face her properly. “Tell me what happened.”

I hesitated, knowing this could start a war that I wasn’t sure I wanted. I’d wanted nothing more than to see Ander’s downfall, but that was before I grew feelings for him.

“He lied about some things, and I don’t want you running off to shoot him. This is my problem to deal with,” I finally said, and I was pretty sure she crossed her arms to stop herself from shoving me again.

“Big surprise, he’s a liar. Tell me what he lied about or I’m going to go and shoot him anyway.”

My gaze slid to Zavier and he gave me a nod of encouragement.

“He had nothing to do with Dante taking me. He hadn’t told Dante that I was seeing multiple people, and Dante witnessed me and Reid kissing when he left today. So, he thought he was doing Ander a favor and took me so they could deal out my punishment for cheating.”

“Get to the big fat liar part so I can say I told you so,” she deadpanned. Maddox chuckled but didn’t say anything as he continued scratching at the guns, and I winced.

“Dante’s protective of Ander because he’s Ander’s older brother.”

Maddox’s eyes shot up to me as if he hadn’t heard me right, and Beckett let out a humourless laugh.

“I fucking told you so. He’s been scheming this whole time, and you all fell for it. I want it on record that I was the only one who?—”

“Ander’s trying to get away from Stefano. Apparently, Stefano showed up here when Ander was twelve and killed his mom and sister before taking him back to Italy. He’s not loyal to Stefano.”

“He lied, Raven. He’s been slinking around like a snake for years, sucking my sister into his bullshit, and now has you trying to defend the fact that he’s a mafia prince and didn’t tell us. People who lie do it for a reason.”

“Can you let me handle this please?” I asked exasperatedly, needing to figure out what to do that didn’t involve straight up murder.

“This isn’t about you and your relationship. He’s a danger to my family, which means he’s my problem,” she said firmly, pulling her phone from her pocket. “I’m bringing Mom into it.”

It shouldn’t have, but it made me feel better to know Beckett wasn’t about to tear the town apart looking for him.

Logan steered me to the bedroom so we could put my bags down and have a second of peace, and I didn’t hesitate to lean into him when he opened his arms for a hug.

He was gentle, being mindful of any hidden damage under my clothes.

“Do you need some ice or something for your face?” he asked, lifting a hand to cup my cheek as he inspected me. He’d barely taken his eyes off me since I’d gotten out of the Supra, so there wasn’t anything new for him to see.

“No, it’s not that bad.”

“Baby, any mark on you is bad,” he murmured, his thumb stroking my cheek as he tightened his other arm around me. I fought the wince as my ribs burned, but he read me easily as always and released me. “Let me look.”

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