Page 36 of Resurrecting the Enemy
“Would one even go through in this town?” Dash asked, still smoking his cigarette.
Chance’s head twisted toward him. “That’s not the point, Dash,” he bit out. Then he looked around at all of us. “A lion does not walk away from a wounded gazelle, giving it a chance to get away or nurse itself back to health. He goes in for the kill, gentlemen.”
Maddox cocked his head. “Dude, make up your mind,” he said. “Is R.J. supposed to go for her throat or beg for forgiveness?”
“The girl is upset, confused, and hurt,” Chance recited. “If R.J. goes to her now, while she’s an emotional wreck, he can manipulate her feelings in his favor.”
“Fuck, dude,” Dash choked out. “That’s some cold fucking shit, right there.”
Chance arched a brow. “Yeah, well, winning requires some cold fucking shit sometimes.”
Yeah, Chance could never be mistaken for a weakling. But then, none of us could. Dash wasn’t really shocked at what Chance had said, more so that Chance was the one who said it. Chance was the most easy-going out of us all. Even some of the younger kids came off more seriously than Chance did, so his words were a bit intense in contrast to Chance’s usual demeanor.
“He’s got a point,” Maddox joined in. “I think giving her time is a bad idea.” He shook his head. “What does that accomplish when you’ve already claimed her?”
“If I go to her now, she’s going to fight me until one of us damages the other beyond repair, and it’s not going to be me,” I explained. “Giving her time to cool off gives her the false impression of choice. If she’s cooled off, she can convince herself that she’schoosingto talk to me, even though I know better.” I jerked my head towards Chance. “Like he said, if there’s any chance of her loving me back, she’s got to believe she’s got choices. She’s got to believe she chose me.”
“Christ, you’re a manipulating bastard,” Dash chuckled as he made his way back to the recliner, his cigarette finished.
“And you’re not?” I fired back. “Because that shit with Eden didn’t exactly seem casual.”
Dash grinned and it wasn’t a happy expression. “Let’s just say she’s lucky I live in Port Lucia.”
“Oh, that’s just fucking great,” Chance griped. “How in the fuck did we go from not giving a fuck to having girl problems?”
My brows drew downward. “You guys have girl problems?”
Maddox smirked. “I have zero girl problems,” he remarked. “Other than leaving Tina unsatisfied because you went off the goddamn rails, I’m good.”
“Yeah, well, I was about to go look for a bedroom before you assholes ruined my night,” Chance grumbled.
Dash laughed. “Since when do you take the time to find a bedroom?”
Chance flipped him off.
“Well, since none of us are getting laid tonight, how about some COD?” Maddox suggested.
Call of Duty it was.
Chapter 20
Lake~
No matter how much I wished it, I couldn’t put this night back. I couldn’t pretend it hadn’t happened or that I’d never met Ramsey fucking Reed Jr.
Once we made it inside the house, Eden had gone to take a shower, while I had headed towards the guest bathroom to take one of my own. But while her shower took all of twenty minutes, I had stayed in the shower until the water had run cold.
I was a mess.
And now, sitting on Eden’s bed, a box of tissue between us, I did my best to explain while she did her best just to listen.
“I’m so in over my head, Eden,” I told her. “I mean, Christ, I slapped the guy.” I shook my head. “I’ve never struck another person in all my life.”
Eden winced. “Well, he did deserve it,” she said, hoping to ease my whirlwind of emotions.
“But why was I surprised?’ I asked. “This is Ramsey Reed Jr. we’re talking about. Anyone and everyone knows the guy is ruthless. Why…”
Eden shrugged a shoulder. “Maybe he’s just been going easy on you, so you weren’t expecting how much of a prick he really could be,” she suggested.
