Page 60 of Savage Thief

That’s Reaper. Morbid to the core much like his road name.

Harlon gives a low rumble of laughter. “That’s what I thought.”

I smack a flat hand over Reaper’s chest and get a hearty roar of laughter back. If I didn’t know he sits on a nest egg of half a billion dollars and trust our friendship with my life–literally–I might get a little twitchy giving him my back.

“Nope. Ten if you’re alive. Twenty-five if you’re brought in dead.”

Reaper grunts and the smirk deepens.

Sapphire crosses her arms and joins in like this is some joke. “Looks like you might need my services after all.”

Thirteen

Asena

The asshole left me.

I throw the sheets off my legs and cast about the bed, but sure enough, it’s empty. I don’t know what time I finally fell asleep. I grab the alarm clock off the nightstand and blink a couple of times working the sleep from my eyes. It’s nearly noon. Or midnight. The blackout curtains make it hard to determine.

I bolt out of bed and yank them open. Yep. Noon. Damn it. I can’t move until nightfall but it’s going to take me that long to convince someone to give me a ride into town.

I rush to the bathroom and speed through the world’s quickest shower. With my hair in a towel and one around me, I go digging through Hark’s clothes. Bingo. I yank out a pair of sweats and a T-shirt. Shoes are a no-go, but going barefoot isn’t new to me.

Last night shouldn’t have happened. Hark made me weak and I nearly told him about Heaven. Only by a sheer miracle did he not see the scar across my lower abdomen.

I take a moment to run my fingers through my hair and do a quick braid to keep the unruly locks out of my face. I go back to the trash, rip off a strip from the hem of my dress and tie off the ends.

There’s not much I can do for the freckles, bare lips, and lashes unless I ask one of the club girls, but no thanks. I’m not here to make friends or win beauty pageants.

I head downstairs following the smell of coffee and bacon. I guess I’m not the only late riser.

I step into the kitchen with two things on my mind—a phone and a ride back to the city.

What I find is something completely different.

Riot and Avery are huddled near the coffee pot. Reading the way she has her body turned into his and the lingering touch of his fingers curling the tips of her shiny blonde hair tell me I’m breaking up an intimate moment.

“Oops, sorry.” I slow to a halt just as I cross over the kitchen threshold. Bright sunshine filters through the large kitchen window. Dirty dishes are piled in the sink and two plates are sitting on the counter. My stomach growls, but I don’t take a seat. Not until it’s offered.

“Not at all.” Avery pulls away from Riot with one last look over her shoulder.

I keep my eyes glued to the phone on the counter and mind my own damn business. But they looked cute together. A doll and her giant. I hold back a grin. I’ve not known either of them more than a couple of heartbeats but Avery has good girl vibes going on and Riot... well his name probably isn’t too many shades different from the man is all I’m saying.

He’s clean-shaven and could pass as Hark’s brother if you ask me. There’s a mysterious vibe about him and I would bet money on Avery feeling it too. She must like them scuffed up and dark.

I don’t know what the other club chicks were talking about when they said Ares bought her from giving blowjobs on command, but I can add. And her two plus two adds up to a past she probably doesn’t want to talk about. Which is fine by me. Everyone can keep their secrets. I’m only out to bury mine long enough to get out from under the Savage roof.

Avery leans against the kitchen counter and tongues a simple gold band lopping over the middle of her bottom lip.

A little wild to all that cuteness. I think I just found Riot’s weakness.

“Afternoon everyone. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt anything. I came down looking for Hark but I found you instead.” I clasp my hands in front of me, wishing I could hit reverse.

“No, gosh. Don’t worry about it. Come in. Sorry Hark isn’t here, but your waiting breakfast is. Please have a seat.”

I take one of the few leather stools and inhale long and hard when a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon are moved under my nose.

“I was just about to bring it up to you anyway. You saved me a trip.”

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