Page 23 of Cold and Broken (The Titans of Founder's Ridge 1)

“Nothing suits you better than Lilith.” He drops his napkin on the table.

“How so?”

“Lilith was Adam’s first wife. She was kicked out of the Garden of Eden for not submitting to Adam.” He winks at her. “And you are definitely not one to submit. I knew that from the moment we met. It’s amusing to watch Connor try, though.”

I glare at him while Peasant gives him a beautiful, amused smile. Jealousy roils in my chest and settles in my stomach. I want her smiles, I want her laughter, I want her scowls, and I want her tears. Does that make me a selfish asshole? Fuck yes, it does and I’ll own that shit unequivocally.

Peasant’s phone lights up with a video call from Zion and her face lights up with joy. She excuses herself and answers as she stands from the table.

“Hey Z!”

“Hey Lil. What’s good?” He asks. “Where are you?”

“I just had dinner with Connor, Levi, and Griffin.”

“Oh yeah? Lemme talk to ‘em.”

“Nope.” She picks up speed to escape but Lev jumps up and snatches the phone out of her hand.

“Hey man,” Lev says trying to keep the phone away from her.

“Stiff arm her to the forehead and she won’t be able to get you,” Zion instructs.

“Z!” She yells outraged.

Levi chuckles as she struggles against his reach.

“Watch out for her high kick though, that shit hurts,” Zion says right as she lands a kick to Lev’s chest. She held the power out of it so it was more a tap but impressive nonetheless.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Lev hands the phone to me. “Careful with the goods. I have to score TDs Friday. Keep this body in pristine condition.”

“Hello.” I say into the phone.

“Who’re you?” Zion asks.

“Connor.”

“Huh.” He grunts, unimpressed. “You still being a dick to my girl?”

“I’m a dick to everyone.” Truth. “She’s not special.” Lie.

I look into the living room and see Peasant has laid out Lev. He’s flat on his back with her foot on his chest. If he wasn’t obsessed with her before he is now. The next thing I know she’s pressed against me, grabbing the phone out of my fingers.

“I can’t believe you told them how to exploit my weakness like that!” She screeches into the phone. I hear his deep laughter coming through the phone as she hustles up to her rooms.

“Fuck,” Lev stands up, adjusting his crotch. “I went from six to midnight when she took me down. That was hot as fuck.”

“Warm cookies!” Delores comes out of the kitchen with a plate of warm chocolate chip cookies. She frowns and looks around. “Where did Lilith go?”

“She had a phone call from back home. Fix her a plate and I’ll take them up to her in a little while,” I offer.

I take the plate and lead the guys down to the theater room. We argue back and forth about what to watch. Eventually we settle on one of the Fast and Furious movies. The cookies are gone in a matter of minutes. I find myself wondering if we should have told Peasant where we were going so she could come join us when she gets off the phone with Zion. I almost text her.

No.

Stick to the plan.

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