Page 81 of Don't Lie To Me

His lips brush my ear. “Now I see why he calls you trouble. You’re going to give the big guy a heart attack.”

I throw the tablets back and chase them with the glass of water he passes to me. Grinning, I let my fingers dance up his forearm and into his soft hair. “You wouldn’t happen to know why the walk-in closet in my room is filled with new clothes?”

Reef looks me over, the corner of his eyes creasing in concern. “Romeo.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“Don’t jump down his throat just yet. Your room was totaled, Sloane, including all your clothes. Trust me when I tell you, you wouldn’t want to wear any of them ever again.”

Revulsion fills me just from the look on his face. I can only imagine what the sick motherfucker did to my belongings. “Are you serious?”I lean into the kitchen counter, taking a sip from my coffee, hoping for something to settle my nerves.

His head drops. “Unfortunately, most of them were shredded.”

“You said this guy is after Ava, but what does he want with her?”

“That’s what we’re trying to work out.”

“Morning, doll face, I trust you slept well.” Romeo winks in my direction as he moves through the kitchen. Making his own coffee, he comes to join us. “Looking good this morning.”

I purse my lips, having to bite my tongue so I don’t snap out at him. Reef’s right, he did something nice for me. “You have good taste.”

“I’ll take that as a thank-you.” He grins cheekily at me. Something has shifted between us; my pure hatred toward him is softening.

“You probably should, it’s as close as you will get.” I smirk back at him, a playful glint in my eyes to make sure he knows I’m still me.

Onyx stands and strides past us. I watch as he shoves open my bedroom door, returning seconds later with my phone in his hand. Our eyes meet, and I glare daggers at him. “What are you doing with my phone?” I go to take off across the room to take it back, but Reef’s hand comes across my middle, stopping me.

He shakes his head. “Getting Alex involved wasn’t smart, wildcat,” he warns, and I take a step back from him.

“We leave in five. You better be ready,” Onyx growls, stalking across the room to throw on his jacket.

“You fuckers didn’t really give me much other option, did you?” I say loud enough that Onyx can hear me as well. Fuck him. If I had to go over his head and do a little meddling to escape this place, that’s on him.

“Careful not to bite the hand that’s keeping you alive, wildcat,” Reef warns me.

I pat his chest, a slow smile crossing my lips. He thinks me getting Alex involved wasn’t smart, but I’m getting out of this apartment today, so I reckon it was genius. “Thanks for your concern, but I know what I’m doing with Onyx.” Just because I know the big guy is watching us and because I want to, I pop up on my toes and kiss Reef’s lips. His hand runs down my back, settling on my ass as he pulls me in closer to him. “See you later, Detective Hot Stuff.” I smirk at him.

“Hey, what about mine?” Romeo complains, and I just give him a shrug. “Maybe later.”

Yeah, I know I’m playing with fire, but Onyx started this, and now he’s going to have to deal with the consequences.

Chapter 31

Afterwatchingtheopeningceremony at Harley and the Moretti boys’ new health and wellness center, I join Harley and Ricky for a tour with her adorable dog, Lola.

With eyes constantly scanning the room, Onyx trails close behind us, his ears looking like they’re twitching at every sound. He’s even more on edge than usual, and it’s starting to freak me out, not that I would admit it to him.

I hear my phone ring, and Onyx takes it from his pocket, his eyes meeting mine as he answers the call, no remorse. He leaves the room before I have a chance to snatch it back from him. Not wanting to cause a scene in front of our friends, I let him go.

“Everything okay?” Harley asks, a curious brow raised.

“I’m sure it’s nothing,” I reply, but it’s my fucking phone he’s on, so either he’s talking to one of the boys or it’s one of the girls from the club and this is his way of punishing me for disobeying him this morning. Now he’s screening my calls as well, fucking great. I return my attention to Harley and Ricky, trying to be a good friend, even if I’m distracted. I can’t help chewing at my bottom lip, wondering who the hell is on the phone.

Onyx pops his head back inside the door, his eyes meeting mine. “Sloane, a minute,” he mutters dryly.

A heavy sigh escapes me. “Be back in a sec,” I throw over my shoulder as I head toward him and out of Harley’s office, desperate to know who was calling me.

Following him farther down the hall, the fresh scent of paint lingers in the air as we approach an open doorway. Inside we find Alex leaning against a large desk, a self-satisfied smile plastered on his face. “I hear you need to see me. What can I do for you, Sloane, need another favor?”

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