Page 61 of Taming Raptor

Though I grumbled, I couldn’t concentrate so I reached for his hand and groaned as I got to my feet.

“Jesus, you’re too goddamn big for this,” I heard him mutter. With a grunt, I glared at him.

“Fuck off,” I mumbled. Then I blinked a few times and saw Sam and Seth still standing there. Evidently, I hadn’t imagined them. The incredibly minuscule, sober part of my brain felt like a grade A piece of shit. I was being a terrible example. “I’m sorry you’re seeing me like this. Why do I feel like not a damn thing has gone right today?”

“It’s okay, man, Seth and I can shoot some pool or just hang out. We’re not little kids.”

A heavy sigh fell from my lips. “Yeah. I know.”

Phoenix ducked under my arm and helped me into my room.

“Fuckin’ door wasn’t even locked?”

“Apparently not.”

With Phoenix’s help, I shuffled to my bed where I proceeded to fall flat on my face, feet hanging off the edge. He pulled my boots off and I grunted but my eyelids weighed a ton.

That was the last I remembered until a familiar scent tickled my nose. “Mmm,” I hummed appreciatively. Then I practically purred when gentle fingers sifted through my hair, lightly grazing my scalp.

“Hope you’re prepared to grovel,” a seductive voice whispered in my ear before the bed shifted and the intoxicating scent vanished.

Not only did I plan on groveling, I planned to kill whoever had tried to harm her.

“Gangsta”—Kehlani

Though we were halfway across the country I was nervous going to Sloane’s shop. It seemed like all I did was look over my shoulder these days. Yet the thought of staying at the clubhouse where Raptor was at the moment, pissed me the fuck off.

“How dare he ask me if my baby was his? That motherfucker,” I grumbled as I paced the back room of the metaphysical store Sloane and her mom owned. With the serene surroundings, my thoughts and emotions shouldn’t be so chaotic. It made me really wish Venom or Hawk were here because I could use some of their calming juju.

“I mean it’s a legit question. You have been apart for some time, right?” Niara asked. I stopped in my tracks and shot her a “are you fucking kidding me?” look before I turned to Sloane.

“Is she always such a rant-killer? That kind of rationality isn’t needed—at least not when I’m needing to be pissy.” Arms akimbo, I shook my head.

Both women snickered. I threw up my hands.

“You ready to head back?” Blade stuck his head in the room and asked.

With a sigh, my shoulders dropped. “Yeah, I guess.”

“If you decide you don’t want to stay at the clubhouse, the offer still stands to stay at my house,” Sloane offered as her nose crinkled.

“Thank you, I really appreciate that. I’m sorry I’ve been such a bitch. I know it’s not a great first impression. I’m not really processing everything well. You girls have been amazing, and I appreciate that more than you’ll know.” They both stood to give me a hug.

“That’s what sisters are for,” Sloane whispered as she held me tightly. That brought tears to my eyes as I wasn’t an ol’ lady, but she still considered me like one.

“You have my number saved, right?” she asked. She’d given it to me earlier, “just in case.”

I nodded.

“Do you think it’s safe for you guys to be riding around so much? You kind of stick out a bit with Iowa plates,” Niara asked with worry knitting her brow. The fact that these women were still so kind after the bitchy way I’d behaved, was endearing.

“We never saw anyone following us when we left, and Blade definitely took the scenic route. There were long stretches where we were alone on the roads, so I doubt it. We didn’t make it obvious we were going anywhere for a long period of time, which is why I don’t have much with me. Also, with my hair back to its normal color, I’m not as recognizable as Cookie.” Those were all the things I kept telling myself to keep the panic at bay.

Blade brought me back to the compound.

“I can stay in another room,” I argued when we stopped outside the clubhouse. “I don’t feel right kicking Raptor out of his room.”

“The problem is, the other rooms have bunk beds and share a bathroom. A few of the other brothers already stay in them.”

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