Page 126 of Hate You Forever (Hate 1)

“Does Tara know?”

Nix shakes his head. “It’s better if she doesn't know.”

“What do you mean it’s better? You want her to walk around thinking everything is fine? That’s when people get caught off guard, when people get hurt. When people die.” I have to shove down the memories of finding my parents’ lifeless bodies so I don’t get lost in them like I usually do. If I do that, I won’t come up for air for days, just like the last time.

“At least she’s not walking around looking over her shoulder every two seconds.”

“Are you fucking serious? You think that’s the better option? Fuck you, Nix. Fuck you for keeping me in the dark. And fuck you for not telling Tara. You’re putting her in even more danger by not telling her.”

I turn to storm out, but Nix’s demanding voice stops me. “Are you going to tell her?”

I should. I really should. But this is Nix’s fuckup.

“Nah, I’ll let you be the one to tell her that her life’s in danger, and that you decided it wasn’t important enough to let her know. I won’t tell her, but I’ll do everything to help keep her safe.” I walk out this time, Nix’s growls fading as I near the elevator.

* * *

I’m leaningagainst my Jeep, trying to process my feelings, when Rush and Tara pull into the garage.

Fuck, how long have I been standing here?

Tara slides out of the passenger seat and smiles at me. “Hey, you lost?”

I just found out the worst news ever, and yet I can’t help but chuckle. Just seeing her takes away the pressure of today’s events. We’ve been able to talk and hang out over the last week, slowly getting rid of the awkward tension between us. We aren’t back to where we were, but we’re getting there.

“Yeah, I was hoping to find a beautiful girl to show me around. Maybe even help me find my bed? I’m super tired,” I snark back, shooting her a wink.

Tara laughs and grabs my hand. “I’ll show you exactly where that is, stallion.”

Rush clears his throat, reminding us he’s here. My eyes meet his dark ones and a jolt of lust hits me. It’s been a week since I watched Tara dry hump his cock until she came. A week since I had the perfect view of his thick length, and Tara on her knees. A week since I jerked off at the sight.

When he caught me staring, he didn’t run or get angry. It was like he was into me watching them together. Something I definitely enjoyed seeing.

Since that night, I’ve been playing the scene over and over again when I’m lying in bed. I haven’t been with a guy before, but something about seeing Rush like that set my body on fire. I’ve never had that reaction to a man—well, not until him.

I’m drowning in his dark chocolate eyes, thinking about his big cock while mine’s growing by the second. I wonder what his dick would feel like in my hand, or rubbing up against mine.

“You okay?” Rush asks, pulling me from my fantasy.

I shake my head and put on a fake smile. “I’m all good.”

Tara lets go of my hand, stopping and spinning toward me. “Actually, I’m going to go upstairs and take a shower. I feel disgusting. You, me, a greasy pizza later?” Her eyebrows wiggle suggestively, her giggle echoing through the garage.

“For sure, wild girl.”

“Perfect,” she says, before strutting into the house. My eyes don’t fall from her until her luscious ass disappears behind the door.

I turn my attention to Rush, instantly feeling my mood shift. “Did you know?”

“Know what?” Confusion paints his handsome face.

“That the Draaks are threatening Tara’s life,” I spit.

Rush’s eyes turn sad, and now I feel like a dick. But not completely, because I know what he’s going to say. “Yeah, I knew. Nix wanted to keep it on the downlow.”

It sucks that Rush would keep this from me, but I can’t fucking blame him. He was only doing what Nix told him to. Nix is the one I’m pissed at. He kept a threat to Tara’s life from me when he knew I cared about her. She has a right to know about the danger surrounding her.

Fuck him.

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