“Give me a second to adjust. Those lightbulbs in the container are so dim, then you come out here, and Jesus, it’s so goddamn bright. The water doesn’t help either.” I say, and he laughs.
“Keep your eyes closed, give me your hand and I’ll guide you to the shade. Maybe that will help,” he offers, taking my hand, walking us through the parking lot to my G-wagon. I hear him open the door, rustling around for something before placing my sunglasses on my face. Opening my eyes, he lifts me by my hips, causing me to squeal, and places me in the driver's seat.
“I could’ve done that myself, but thank you,” I say, and he laughs.
“Now, was that so hard?” he asks, and before I can roll my eyes, he’s already growling. “Don’t even think about it, Brat.” And I laugh.
“I don’t want to go home just yet. Tell Spade I’m going to the Mill,” I order, and he raises a brow, taking out his phone, pressing a button as he lifts it to his ear.
“Yea, she wants to go to the Mill. Okay, you got it, Boss,” he says, and now it’s my turn to raise a brow.
“I’ll meet you there, Brat.” He winks, and my jaw drops.
“What the fuck. Can I ever go anywhere alone?” I seethe, and he laughs, walking to his car.God damn, he’s got a nice ass.
“You know the answer to that. Let’s go. He wants to strengthen my thigh muscles with some exercises.” He shakes his head, shutting his car door and starting her up. I do the same in mine and head out of the city.
Sitting in my office at the mill, I make sure everything is in place for Hazel’s birthday party tomorrow and go over the list of names for the next fight night. Spade asked if we could do a combo of fighting and gambling one night, and I thought that was a brilliant idea. Plus, it gives us the upper hand to make deals with others. I need to remember to ask Ryder about some of the Crow Eaters. I wonder if they would wanna make some extra cash serving drinks. It's nothing different from what they already do, just with men who have bottomless pockets. Sending a text off to my brother; I don’t give a fuck what his bloodline is, he will always be my younger brother so Teagan can get fucked. Maybe that’s what she needs.The dumb cunt.
Standing from my seat, I get up and look out to the ring and see Zayn sparring with one of the other guys.Jesus, he reminds me of Dario the way he dances around the mat, so light on his feet.I watch, completely transfixed by the man swinging with such grace and precision. I guess being in the military trains you for combat a little too well. A knock at my door takes me out of my thoughts as I swing around at the person standing in the doorway. I narrow my eyes and round my desk, leaning against it with my arms folded.
“What can I do for you, Carmine?” I ask, with the fakest smile I can muster. He steps further into my office. His stance looks wild, as if he’s on something.
“I know you had something to do with my brother's death and will,” he accuses, pointing his finger at me. I tilt my head to the side, watching as he paces the room. He’s definitely on something. I’m just not sure what it is.
“How much do you need?” I ask as his crazy eyes snap to mine.Got him.
“I want what is owed to me!” he shouts, throwing his hands up.
“I can write you a check, but you're not entitled to anything,” I spit, and he lunges at me. Rearing back, I punch him in the face. He stumbles over the glass coffee table, causing it to shatter all over the carpet. “I’m Dario’s wife and the mother of his children. How fucking dare you come into my place of business spewing lies? Before his funeral, I didn’t know who the fuck you were. So, like I said, you are owed nothing,” I growl.
Turning, I grab my checkbook from my desk and scribble down some ridiculous amount before ripping it out of the book and spinning to hand it to him. I lean back suddenly as he swipes at my face with a piece of glass. I lift my leg and kick him in the stomach, sending him flying back into the couch. Standing, I pull Dario’s dagger from my holster and spin it in my hand.
“You picked the wrong female to fuck with today, Carmine! I’m not like the women you were brought up with. I bow down to no one,” I grit, as he rights himself.
“That’s the biggest problem with you bitches. My brother should’ve put you on your knees and made you obey his every whim,” he spits, and I laugh.
“You really didn’t know him now, did you? Take the check and get the fuck out. I never want to see you again!” I shout as he lunges at me again, but someone grabs him from behind and whips him around, disarming his hand as the glass shard falls to the ground. He smashes Carmine's face against the wall as the crunch of his now broken nose echoes through the room.
“You obey the Queen, you miserable prick. You don’t get to come in here and disrespect her like that, let alone come at her with a weapon. Get the fuck out before I end your life,” Zayn growls, shoving him out of the room, yelling down the stairs. He turns to me, stepping into the room and slamming the door behind him. I can’t decipher the look in his eye as his chest heaves, stepping through the glass, coming right for me. I step back but have nowhere to go. He cups my face, looking for damage as I smack his hand away.
“I had that under control, you dickhead,” I say, shoving him.
“I don’t give a fuck. I’m here to protect you. No one should get this close to you,” he says, and I roll my eyes. One minute I’m leaning back against my desk arguing,and the next minute, he has me bent over it, smacking my ass repeatedly.
“How many times did I tell you to stop trying me? Now I’m going to redden this fine ass of yours, so every time you sit, you will wince thinking of me.” He growls as he leaves me breathless on my desk. He takes a step back, pulling me up from where I’m bent over. I spin on him, shoving him back.
“Zayn, what is it about you that makes me crave your presence?” I ask, pushing him again until he’s sitting on the couch. I straddle his lap as he grabs my hips, squeezing.
“I don’t know, Jade, but we can’t,” he whispers a breath away from my lips. My breathing hitches when I feel how hard he is against my core. “Fuck it,” he growls, slamming his lips against mine. I moan as his soft lips caress mine, causing my body to come to life as his hands crawl up my back and into my long hair, pulling at the scalp. My hips rock as we explore each other's mouth, pushing and pulling the air we need to breathe into each other's lungs. I’m too afraid to stop, knowing I should, but fuck, he lights me up like no one else has done before. His tongue swirls around mine and he growls, pulling back.
“We can't, this was a mistake,” he says, lifting me off of him and placing me down on the couch. He gets up and leaves the room, slamming the door in his wake. I sit here for god knows how long with my fingers on my lips trying to catch my breath.
What the fuck was that? Why did I like it? Why do I need more of it? Fuck, I’m so fucking fucked.
Chapter 32
Roses & Candles