Page 34 of Stray
I gestured angrily to the stab hole in my back tire, which was now flat. “That son of a bitch stabbed my tire. He thought he was saving Codie from me. Getting involved in my personal business.”
“She was trying to get away from you,” Noah shouted from where he flailed against Casper’s hold. “I saw it myself.”
Rebel nodded as he put it all together. Crouching down next to Noah, he grabbed him by the throat, his hand darting out like a snake striking.
“Are you ready to die today, Noah?” Rebel asked. “It’s a simple enough question. Yes or no will do.”
Noah glared up at Rebel. After a moment he shook his head. “No.”
“Good. I’d rather not have to deal with cleaning up your carcass. Casper is going to let you go now, and you’re going to walk the fuck away. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay out of King business. Got it?”
Seething hatred was written all over Noah’s face. Knowing he was dangerously outnumbered, he had no choice but to play along. “Yeah, I’ve got it. Get the fuck off me.”
At Rebel’s nod, Casper stood up, releasing Noah. He scrambled to his feet, snatching up the knife he’d dropped before backing away, keeping his eye on all three of us.
Unable to leave without a parting remark, he shouted, “Your time is coming. Payback will be a bitch.”
Casper’s hands moved as he signed, “Dom was right. Those fuckers are plotting against us.”
I sighed, shoving a hand through my hair as I turned to inspect my tire. It was a goner. Taking out my phone, I searched for a tow truck to take the car to a local tire shop. I didn’t have a spare handy. This was really not how I wanted to spend my afternoon.
“Of course they are.” Rebel stared after Noah as he got further away. “I’d do the same if I were them. They’ll never win this war though. They’ve got to know that.”
I made the call to the tow truck. Every time I looked at my tire I wanted to explode. I’d been getting somewhere with Codie. She started to open up, revealing some of her true feelings. Then that fucking asshole had to come along and ruin it.
“Goddammit,” I swore, kicking the flat tire. I didn’t care that my jaw ached from the fight. I didn’t even care about having to pay for a new tire. What I cared about was that I’d been getting somewhere with Codie. Breaking down some of those walls she’d built between us.
Knowing her, she was working hard to build them right back up again. Doing everything possible to shut me out. She could try. I knew what I wanted, and I would have it.
“You really have a thing for that girl,” Casper signed. “It’s adorable.”
He smirked at me, his expression saying more than his hands ever could. Usually, I was ready for this shit from the guys. Ready to fire back at them. Not this time. I leaned against my car, pulling out the last joint I had on me. It’s not like I would be driving any time soon. Might as well get high and take the edge off.
“Yeah, I feel really fucking adorable.” I puffed on the joint, sucking the smoke deep into my lungs.
Rebel chuckled, leaning against the car beside me. “It’s about time someone else gets their balls busted. I’ve had enough over the last several months.”
“Yeah yeah. Let me have it then. Stray the manwhore has met his match.” Tipping my head back, I stared up into the blue sky, watching the fluffy white clouds drift past. A plume of smoke billowed above my head.
“What’s going on between you two anyway? It’s obviously more than fucking.” Rebel helped himself to my joint, swiping it from my fingertips.
“I’ve only fucked her once. She’s not like other women I’ve known. Codie has a dark streak a mile wide. I fucking love it. She likes it rough and dangerous. She doesn’t like me though. Not really.” Why did I have to sound so fucking pathetic? I wanted to knock myself out if only to make myself shut the fuck up.
Rebel puffed on the joint for a minute before saying, “That’s not what Storm thinks. She hasn’t told me much but she made it sound like Codie was asking about you. Those girls have their secrets. I’m sure there’s a lot they don’t tell us.”
Casper tapped my arm to get my attention before signing, “If Noah knows you’re involved with her, then you need to be careful. Remember what happened to Storm?”
That thought had already crossed my mind. Venom had gone after Storm, kidnapping her with the intent to kill her and pin it on Rebel. There was no underestimating them. Noah had just vowed revenge. I wouldn’t put it past him to target Codie.
“River got exactly what he deserved,” Rebel said. He had absolutely no regrets nor should he. “The rest of them must know they’ll end up the same way if they push us too far.”
I sure as hell hoped so. If being involved with me put Codie in the line of fire, I would never forgive myself.
Casper and Rebel hung out with me until the tow truck arrived. I watched with my temper simmering as my car was hooked up and taken away. Being unable to go after Codie was making me crazy.
“Take a break from Codie for a while. Come with us tonight. We have a simple drop. I think it will be good for you to get out for a bit.” Rebel clapped me on the back, steering me over to his car.
I had been spending a lot of time and attention on Codie lately. Neglecting my role in the Kings was not something I wanted. Our business and our friendship was important to me. Essential. A night out with them doing what we did best would be good for me.
