I just hope no one gets hurt in the process, because I’d rather turn myself in.
And if worse comes to worse—maybe I’ll have to.
TWENTY
Vinnie
One week later
“TALON called,” Sin says so only I can hear. “I told him you’ll meet him at Rift tonight.”
I nod. “About time. He probably only just realized she was missing.”
“I think Talon is a lot smarter than we give him credit for,” Sin says, sinking two balls on the pool table. “Don’t underestimate him. I have a feeling there’s something about this whole situation that we’re missing.”
It was highly likely.
I play my shot and sink the red ball, then take a sip of my beer. “It’s been so quiet, nothing’s fuckin’ happened around here. I don’t get it.”
“You upset someone isn’t pounding on our compound’s door?” Sin asks, raising an eyebrow in amusement.
“’Course not,” I say, sitting down on one of the stools by the bar. “I just don’t understand it. I know the Kings are involved somehow, I just don’t know how they fit into this, and it bothers the fuck out of me. I don’t want to get too comfortable, you know? Forget why we’re here in the first place. Shay’s hungover from drinking with the girls last night. This place has turned into a huge party. Don’t get me wrong, I want her to enjoy herself, but I can’t enjoy anything until I know that she’s going to be safe and the threat is eliminated.”
“Talk to Talon. I have a feeling he knows exactly what’s going on here,” Sin says, playing his shot, then glancing up at me. “The compound is at highest security. Even Lana’s fuckin’ dog is here. No one is going to get in without us knowing about it. Until then, we just need to figure out what’s really going on, because no offense, but the story sounds like bullshit to me.”
I honestly didn’t know what to think at this point. If they really wanted Shay, they’d have found her by now. It’s been a week, and not even a threatening call. Nothing. Talon didn’t even return my calls until today. If they have something planned, something big, maybe something we’re missing, then we’re going to be fucked. I don’t think they’ve just forgotten about Shay. That shit is way too easy—and nothing ever comes easy to me.
“Talon better shed light on the situation tonight.” I pause and grin wolfishly. “And hopefully we both don’t end up beating the shit out of each other.”
Yes, he told me not to touch her, but Sin’s right, something here doesn’t add up. Do I feel guilty for touching her? Yes and no. Yes, I feel shitty that I went against my word, because a man’s word is everything. But the fucked-up thing is that I’d do it again and again if I had the chance.
“You better kick his ass.” Sin smirks, laying the pool cue against the wall. “Can’t have a Wind Dragon losing to someone from the Wild Men.”
I make a scoffing noise and pretend to punch Sin in the face a few times. “Dragons are made of tougher substance than any wild men.”
Shay walks in, looking like hell, a bottle of water in her hands.
“Good morning.” I grin, even though it is about two o’clock. “How are you feeling?”
“Like Faye hit me in the head a million times with those nunchakus she keeps carrying around,” she grumbles, coming to stand by me.
“Want to play?” I ask her, racking up the balls.
“Yeah, okay,” she says, but winces at the thought. I hide my grin, then tell her, “I’m meeting with Talon tonight. You’ll be staying here with the men.”
“Why can’t I come?” she asks, putting her water down on the bar counter. “I want to know what’s going on too.”
“And I’ll tell you.”
“I want to come.”
“No.”
“Controlling jerk,” she mutters, scowling at me, which only makes me laugh. “I want to know everything he says, don’t keep anything from me.”
“I won’t,” I assure her, then ask, “Do you want to break?”
“No, you can,” she says, grabbing a cue and putting some chalk on the tip. “I suck at breaking.”
I break, sinking one ball in the process.
“Do you get horny when you’re hungover, or is it just me?” she blurts out, making my head snap to her. We’ve been fucking like rabbits, usually about three times a day, every day since she got here. We can’t seem to keep our hands off each other. I have no fuckin’ idea what we’re doing, and what’s going to happen, but I decided to just not think about it and live in the present. Who gives a fuck what the future holds when all we have is now?
I step behind her and run my thumb across the little bit of skin showing on her flat stomach. “Want to play with a different kind of ball, do you?”
“How do you even get laid with those lines?”
“You tell me,” I say, smiling as I move her hair away from her neck and kiss her there. She shivers.
“It annoys me that you know all my weaknesses now,” she says, her breath hitching as I kiss her there again.
“Why? You should be happy I know just what to do to turn you on, and how to pleasure you and satisfy you.” I bite down on her neck. “Over and over again.”
She puts the pool cue down, grabs my wrist, and practically pulls me to the bedroom, or at least tries. I purposely take my time, going slower, causing her to spin around and pin me with a glare that I happen to find fuckin’ adorable. When we get to our room, she locks the door behind us and pulls off her pants and top. She’s not wearing a bra or panties, and I slowly peruse her body from her breasts to her bare pussy. “Easy access?”