Page 39 of Crash and Burn
19
Rascal
Once Marley wentinside Minx’s, I sat on the front steps to wait for Buzz and Saint. They’re on watch duty first. I close my eyes, remembering how broken her eyes were when I got to her room last night. This woman, who always seems so strong, who throws sass out like it’s confetti, was broken. I know yesterday was the anniversary of her mother’s death. Other than that, she hasn’t talked much about her past. I plan to change that and soon.
“Rascal, what are you doing here,” Tink questions. “I thought Buzz and Saint were supposed to be here?”
I open my eyes and they fall to Tink. Lolita is standing next to her with a confused expression.
“I walked Marley up here. When we got here, neither one of them were here yet so I decided I would stay until they decided to show up,” I explain.
“As always, it’s good to see you, Ras, but I’m going inside.” Lolita walks past me and into the house.
“What was that about?” I hook my thumb over my shoulder toward Lo.
Tink shakes her head. “I honestly don’t know. She’s been a little distant lately. So you walked Marley up here?”
“I did.”
“Is there something going on between the two of you?” She grins.
“That’s not for me to tell.”
“Oh, come on! Tell me something! Anything,” she begs.
“You’re friends with Marley. Ask her.”
She rolls her eyes. “Alright, alright. You know, you’ve been different lately. She challenges you. She’d be good for you.”
“Yeah? Tell her that.”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “I should head inside. See you around, Ras.”
“See ya.”
She walks inside and I lay back on the porch, staring at the ceiling.
“Yo, what are you doing here? Follow your girl like a lost puppy?”
I slowly sit up, shooting daggers at Saint. “You’re tryin’ to catch my hands today, huh?”
“Touchy subject?” Saint smirks.
“What the fuck took you two so long? Half the women are in there already,” I tell him and Buzz
“Honestly, we didn’t know what time they would be here,” Buzz answers.
I stand to leave. “Sienna, Raven and Aria are the only ones not here yet. Keep an eye out for them and keep them all safe. If you need anything or you notice anything suspicious, call me.”
“You got it,” Buzz says.
I make my way back to the clubhouse. Some of the guys are hanging around in the main room, shooting pool, smoking and drinking. The Nomads are still here, but all the out of town brothers have left already. Surprisingly, most of the cut bunnies are here, too. I would have thought they had gotten more attention than they could handle with the clubhouse being so full. Apparently I was wrong. Trix locks me in her sight, her eyes lighting up as she stalks toward me.
“Ras, baby,” she purrs. “Did you finally get rid of the trash?”
My hand flies to her throat. “No, she’s right here in my grasp.”
Her eyes widen in fear.
