Page 69 of Petal

“Don’t fucking play with me,” I answer, calmer.

Iamcalm.

I.

Am.

Calm.

Or so I try to tell myself, because this girl makes me mad. And hard. She is prying, spying, and fucking up my plans. Not to mention, she questions my masculinity in the most subtle but irritating way.

I slowly push off the wall.

She shouldn’t have seen me lose my temper.

I search around the living room and stomp toward the walkie-talkie on the couch. I snatch it and press the transmit button. “Slate, come in.”

I am calm, right?

“Yes, boss.”

“The two from the Eastside. Where are they?”

“They were heading to town some time ago.”

Mo-ther-fuck-er! My mind is officially in a psychopath mode.

Calm.

Down.

I exhale slowly, sending a murderous glare at Katura, who stands with her arms crossed at her chest, leaning on the wall like she is here for a friendly chat.

This girl is so fucking pushing it.

“I told you to keep an eye on them,” I say, trying to sound cold.

“Boss, I told you they were heading there.” He sounds apologetic. “You said to leave them alone. Until further notice. Half an hour ago.”

Fuuuuuck…

Blood boils in my veins.

The wild thing is watching me from across the room with sardonic satisfaction.

I don’t look away from her as I bring the radio to my lips again. “Get the crew ready. We are doing a search party in town.” I nod to her. “My phone,” I say softly, wanting to fuck that arrogant girl in all holes possible to make her scream in apology. “Where. Is. My. Phone?”

She walks up slowly. Another minute, and I will snap.

She comes over to the couch, pulls the phone from under one of the pillows, and hands it to me so calmly as if I am a child she is grooming into compliance.

The fucking audacity…

Her chin tilts up, her scorching eyes never leaving mine.

Fearless. I’ve met this type—on the streets. She is not a street kitten, but whatever she did in Thailand or wherever else she grew up gave her an edge that you don’t see in girls from well-off families.

There isn’t an ounce of fright in her gaze that is challenging mine. For a moment, this stops all my thoughts.

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