Page 6 of Twisted Secrets

I’m surprised when she starts walking toward the door. Figured she’d ask more questions, but we all know answers don’t come easily when it comes to The Lawless.

Crew and I are walking, hand in hand, when he asks, “So, what the fuck did Neo do to you this time?”

“Just being an ass, as usual.” I shrug casually. “The guy has the sensitivity of a pencil. I’ll never understand how someone can be so cold toward another human being.”

“Well, when you’re raised by a wolf, you behave like one.”

He’s referencing Neo’s dad—a wolf, indeed. Sebastian is the epitome of cold and insensitive. Over the years, I’ve watched his demeanor, and I can’t recall a single instance where I saw the man smile. It wasn’t even his wife’s death that detached his emotions, he’s been that way for as long as I can remember. His emotional and physical abuse to his family—even if it was just a slap on the back of the head—was, no doubt, traumatizing. Especially for Neo, considering he got the majority of his wrath.

Crew uses his free hand to push open one of the double doors while still holding tightly to mine. We step outside and a shiver slides down my back. “Brr. The temp feels like it’s dropped ten degrees since I was out here.”

“Probably has. We’ve got a killer snowstorm rolling in tonight.”

“Please tell me that means the party will be held indoors?”

Crew quirks a brow. “Damn straight. You think I’d let my baby freeze out here?”

I curl my body closer to his, holding on to his bicep. “I’m not sure what I’d do without you. You’re always looking out for me.”

He really is. I truly don’t know what I’d do without Jagger or Crew. Doubt I’d even be here still, after everything that’s happened. I’ll never understand how I got so lucky to have these two amazing men open up their hearts and their home to me, but it still feels like a dream. A dream inside of a nightmare, but still a dream.

We all stop right in front of Crew’s sled, and he turns my full body toward him. With his thumb and forefinger, he lifts my chin. “You never have to find out.” His lips press to mine, warmth rushing through my body. Suddenly, I forget how cold it is outside. I forget that we’re on the hunt for a crazed psycho. I forget there’s a gymnasium full of students dancing in the building next to us. I forget everything else because everything I need in this moment is standing right in front of me.

“Can we go?” Riley chimes in. “It’s really cold out here.”

Before either of us can respond, Jagger's voice hits my ears from behind me. “Ready?”

I step out of Crew’s tight hold. It’s not that I don’t want Jagger to see me kissing Crew or being held by him—Jagger’s aware of what’s going on—but I try not to flaunt my relationship with either of them in front of the other, and I think they attempt to do the same. Unless they’re heated and going at it. In that case, they use me as a weapon.

“Yeah,” Crew tells him, “we’re ready. Where’s Neo?”

I walk over to Crew’s sled while Jagger comestoward us. “Said he’ll meet us there.” Jagger lifts a smile. “I think he’s waiting for the handprint on his face to disappear before he makes an appearance.”

Crew gives me a questioning look, and I bite back a smile. “He had it coming for a while.”

Passing by me, Jagger presses a kiss to my cheek and grabs a handful of my ass. “That’s my girl.” He swings one leg over his seat and drops down, helmet in hand, extending his spare helmet toward Riley. “Ready?”

She sighs heavily, before grabbing it from him and getting on. Seconds later, they’re taking off.

I look at Crew, who’s handing me my helmet. “Plan on telling me where we’re going?”

He gets on the sled, leaving room for me in the front. “The school. We’ve got some digging to do.”

ChapterTwo

NEO

Fuck her.Fuck them. Fuck everyone.

And fuck me for letting that girl get close enough to slap me—or touch me at all for that matter. Her touch is like fire burning into my skin, leaving invisible scars. At this rate, I’m bound to be covered in them.

I rub aggressively at my cheek’s blemished skin, trying to blend the mark. It’s not that I care who sees it, except her. She doesn't deserve the satisfaction of knowing she marked me in any sort of way. I should've slapped her back, but the one and only pertinent thing my father taught me is not to hit a woman. Scar’s all about pushing boundaries, though, so maybe it’s time I push some of my own.

They’re all waiting for me to go to the school, but I have no problem making them wait a little longer.

The sound of footsteps drudge into the bathroom, and I snap my eyes to the perpetrator. “Leave,” I deadpan, giving some kid—I think he’s a junior. No fucking clue what his name is—a look of warning.

His Adam's apple bobs as he swallows and he pushes up the metal-framed glasses that have slid down his nose. Avoiding eye contact, he nods and leaves.

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