Page 57 of Rebels & Rejects

“So, why did you follow me all the way out here?”

“I want you to reconsider.”

Scoffing, she shakes her head and begins to walk away from me. I cast a final glance at the lifeless dude at my feet—guess we’re just leaving him here—before I rush after her.

“Why should I?” she asks when I catch up. “I’ll be putting not only myself but Luc at risk, so what’s in it for me?”

“We can protect you both,” I blurt out instantly.

“Yeah?” she taunts. “How the fuck are you going to do that when the Antonellis have killed you all?”

I’m beginning to get frustrated, and I pull on her arm, yanking her to a stop. “Well, maybe they won’t slaughter us if we have your help.”

Her lips purse as her brows knit together. A frown tugs at the corner of her plump lips as she glances down at the camera attached to my chest that’s still recording. She gives it the middle finger before lifting her head to meet my gaze, quirking a brow. “I take it Cain isn’t exactly on board with this plan.”

“He will be... when I’ve spoken to him.”

“You mean when you’ve shown him proof... because my word apparently means jack shit to that asshole.”

“That’s not it,” I begin, but she waves off whatever excuse I was going to make on Cain’s behalf. It’s not like it’s my fucking job to clean up his fuck-ups anyway.

“Why don’t you go show Cain your little video before you try talking me into the job.”

Sighing, I run my hand through my hair before reaching down to turn off the camera so the two of us can talk in private.

“Look,” I begin, stepping in closer to her. I’m itching to reach out and touch her, but the hard lines on her face and the tense way she’s holding herself say she wouldn’t appreciate that right now. “I know now why you showed up at the complex after what happened at G&T. I know you’re sick of being ground into the dirt beneath the heels of arrogant assholes; that you want more for yourself than being a stripper. But most of all, you want a better life for Luc.”

Her lips pinch together, but I can see the hopeful sheen in her eyes. It only lasts a split second before she covers it with that tough exterior she wears like armor. “And you think you’re the ones to change things in Black Creek?” Her question is dripping with cynicism, but I see it for what it truly is—a front. Something she clings to because the thought of letting herself hope for something only to be disappointed is too much.

Lifting my hand, I prop a finger under her chin, slowly lifting it until her gaze meets mine. “You know we are.”

Chapter 21

“That’ll be Jon. Can you grab it?” Luc calls out when there’s a knock on the apartment door.

Biting back my grumble of complaint, I move to open it. I’m still not happy about the fact Luc is hanging out with the Reject kids again, but at least this time, he told me where he was going.

“Red!” Jon grins when I answer the door. Despite my unease about letting Luc hang out with them, I have to admit that I’m warming up to the kid, and in all honesty, if he wasn’t a member of the Rejects, I’d think he was a great friend for Luc.

“How are ya doing, Jon?” I ask, moving aside so he can step into the apartment.

I know I need to make more of an effort with him, not just for Luc’s sake. If I am—and it’s still a big fucking if—going to take on this job with the Rejects, then I’m going to be spending more time than I’d like with them. The only way I’m going to feel comfortable with that is if I get to know them.

“I’m good. Real good. Cain just told me this morning I can get into the ring next week for my first fight.”

He looks so goddamn happy about that, and I can’t for the life of me understand why the thought of getting your face pummeled would be exciting.

“Congratulations?”

His grin brightens. “You’ll come watch, yeah?”

“Ehh,” I hesitate, not entirely sure I want to watch him get beat up on. I’ve been paying more attention to the whispers on the street, and apparently, Cain's men are unbeatable. More specifically, the kids are unbeatable—every single one of them. So I can only assume that applies to Jon too. “Pleaseeee,” he begs, fluttering his lashes like an idiot.

I snort out a laugh and shove him lightly in the shoulder. “Fine,” I relent. “I’ll come to watch you. But if I put money on you, you better fucking win.”

The grin on his face gains a cocky-as-fuck air. “You can bet your ass I’ll win, baby.”

I roll my eyes at his antics as Luc emerges from his room. His gaze darts anxiously between Jon and me, as if he was expecting me to have chewed Jon’s head off by now.

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