Page 57 of Lust Hate Love (Fallen Angel 4)

“That’s different.”

“How the fuck is that different?”

“Because my fuck-up wasn’t in pretending I didn’t like him. My fuck-up was in not tying the angel to the bed after I’d spent the night inside him. You see, he snuck out on me without a word in the wee hours of the morning, and that’s why I was an asshole. Whereas you basically announced Levi was a casual fuck, which is why you are an—”

“I get it, I get it,” I said, then threw back another gulp of bourbon. “You’re really fucking annoying, you know that?”

“I’ve heard it a time or two.”

Rolling my eyes, I gestured again for the bartender and reminded myself to leave him a good tip.

“But I’m also right.”

“So what do I do now?”

Viper brought his glass to his lips and polished off the remaining contents before saying, “You grovel.”

“Grovel?” I shook my head. “I already did that. He isn’t interested. In fact, he pretty much told me to fuck off and kicked me out of his house.”

“Really? I can’t see Levi being so succinct.”

“Did you really just use the word succinct? And no, he didn’t use those words exactly. But it was pretty clear where he wanted me to go.”

“A toasty place that’s ruled by a really angry guy?”

“You’re really not helping, not in even the smallest way possible.”

“Look,” Viper said, and swiveled in my direction. “Here’s my real advice.”

“You mean everything up until now has just been for my entertainment? I feel so special right now.”

“Shut the fuck up and listen, smartass. You need to let him cool off. Levi’s pissed right now, and has every right to be. He’s trying to decide if you’re full of shit or if he can actually trust the words coming out of your mouth. Let him calm down. Let him think about things. It’s not like you don’t know where to find him.”

Viper had a point, and even though I hated the idea of Levi thinking anything other than amazing thoughts of me, I’d made this bed and now I was gonna have to lie in it—even if it was cold and fucking lonely right now.

About done with wallowing in my misery, I was ready to settle up with the bartender and head out when Viper’s eyes rose up over my shoulder and narrowed.

“Don’t look now, but jerk-off Jonny just walked in the joint with his latest piece of ass.”

At the mention of The Nothing’s bassist, Jonny, my spine stiffened.

“I’m assuming you didn’t call him up for a good time.”

The comment was one I’d usually laugh off and move on from. But after learning what a true piece of shit Jonny was from Levi, it was all I could do to stay where I was instead of going over to the fucker and taking my frustrations out on his face.

“I wouldn’t call him if someone held a gun to my head and he was the only one who could save me.”

Viper’s eyes came back to mine. “Woooah… And here I thought I didn’t like the douchebag. What’d he do to you?”

Not about to share Levi’s past, I said, “He existed.”

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t V and his little sidekick Kill.”

Not for nothing, but I was getting really sick and tired of people calling me “little” tonight.

“Your ‘angel’ know you’re out drinking without him?” Jonny said, as he looked Viper over. “Maybe I should’ve called him up and seen if he wanted a little company.”

“Pretty sure he’d prefer Dex’s boa constrictor to you, but I’m sure you get that a lot.”

“Fuck you, Viper.”

“That’s funny, you’re the second person who’s offered that tonight. But just like I told Kill, no thanks.” Viper looked to me, waiting for some kind of reaction, no doubt. But I was too busy sitting with my fist clenched on the bar top, trying my hardest not to stand up, grab Jonny, and beat the ever-loving shit out of him.

“You know,” Jonny said, running his eyes over me in a way that made my skin crawl. “If you’re looking for someone to dip your dick in tonight, I wouldn’t say no. You’ve always been the hot one of the group—you know, until that sexy angel came along.”

Viper shot off his seat then and surged forward. But before he could reach Jonny, I got to my feet, grabbed hold of his arm, and halted him. That didn’t, however, stop the threats from flying off Viper’s tongue.

“You need to watch your fucking mouth, Jonny. Or I swear to God I’m gonna punch you in it.”

“You’re not gonna do that,” Jonny said with a sneer, as I did my best to rein in my own temper. The last thing Levi would want was to hear how me and Viper got into a bar fight with Jonny. “What would that manager of yours think? Levi? I’ve heard he’s a real stickler for rules these days.”

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