“I’m sure they’ll be on their best behavior,” I say, unable to keep a straight face. “Mainly because we’ll be there, so they have no option.”
“Controlled environment,” Tracker adds, chuckling to himself. “They’ll find a way, they always do.”
We all hear them laughing from Shay’s and my room, then share a look.
Yeah, they’d definitely come up with something.
* * *
“No, Talon and his fucking Wild Men are not fuckin’ invited,” I growl, ignoring the pleading looks on Shay’s, Anna’s, and Bailey’s faces. “Why are you all annoying the shit out of me? Go and ask Rake and Arrow, see what they have to say about it.”
“Okay, fine, not the MC,” Anna says, putting her hands out. “Just Talon. He comes to Rift anyway, you even meet him there! So what’s the big deal?”
I cross my arms over my chest. “The biggest deal will be Rake, who will want to kill him, especially after a few drinks, then would probably be Arrow, who also isn’t a fan. . . .”
“Rake won’t be there, but okay, we get the point,” she grumbles, her green eyes—so like her brother’s—going all sad. They didn’t work on me though, so she’d better save them for Arrow or her brother.
“I tell you what, Arrow and Rake say yes, then I’ll be cool with it.”
Anna groans, probably because she knows they’ll never agree, just as I do, which is the reason I suggested that they take it to him. The thing is, even if Rake does say yes, no one can guarantee that a fight won’t break out. I don’t think the women will want to see that, especially Shayla and Anna.
“He’s family,” she says quietly. “Shay’s his cousin, don’t forget.”
“How could I?” I mutter, sighing and looking at each of their three faces. “Don’t you all have shit to plan? Clothes, makeup? Whatever else you’ve been talking about all day. You’re all acting like you go out once a year.”
“I pretty much do,” Shay says, shrugging. “In fact, I think it’s been longer than that since I’ve been to a club.”
“You’re the exception,” I tell her, and she is. To every rule. I look at the women. “Now can you all please leave my bedroom? This isn’t your home base to congregate and chat all day, there’s a living room, a game room, a kitchen, and the backyard for that.”
“When did you get so grumpy, Vinnie?” Anna asks, glancing up at him with a glint in her eye. “Saving all your fun vibes and energy to bust out your dance moves tonight?”
“Yeah, I saw you dancing at Faye’s birthday,” Bailey adds, fanning herself. “Hooooot.”
Faye walks into the room and glances at all of us. “So this is where the party’s at. What are we talking about?”
“Vinnie’s sexy dance moves,” Shay tells her, laughing behind her hand.
Faye starts thrusting her hips and grinding, practically fucking the air, and says, “Yeah, who knew Vinnie could dance? Certainly not me.”
“I hope you don’t dance like that in front of the princess,” I say, cringing. “You’ll scar her for life.”
Faye rolls her hazel eyes, grinning at me. “Lighten up, Wolf. I’ll save the moves to embarrass my son when he arrives.”
“Wolf?” Anna smirks, looking at me. “It’s still weird hearing anyone call you that.”
“It’s the best road name too,” Faye says, sitting down and making herself comfortable on my bed. “Although the lone wolf has found a mate, hasn’t he?”
I reach my limit. “Okay, that’s enough. Everyone out. Now.”
“But—”
“Now,” I growl.
They all grumble but leave, Shay grinning and giving me a kiss before she leaves. I sit down on the bed and enjoy the silence.
THIRTY-FIVE
Shayla
“FUCK me,” Vinnie mutters as I walk out of the bathroom, dressed and ready to go. We’d decided on an all-black theme, so I’d chosen a high-waisted leather skirt and crop top, showing off the expanse of my stomach. A bright red lip, winged eyeliner, and chunky heels complete the look. I’d ironed my hair dead straight and framing my face, and Vinnie was currently staring at me like a virgin in a strip club. He stalks over to me, running his hands down the side of my body. “You look fuckin’ amazing.”
“Thank you,” I reply quietly, the intensity in his gaze making me feel dazed. He reaches down to cup my ass, squeezing with both hands. “Are you sure you want to go out tonight? Or maybe we could show up late.”
“You have to pick up Bailey and Tia, remember?” I say, licking my lips. “You’ll have to wait until we get home.”
He groans and rubs his thumb along my bottom lip. “I’m going to be walking around with a fuckin’ boner all night. Only good thing is that I won’t have to get into any fights, because there won’t be any random men there to look at you.”
I roll my eyes and lift up on my tiptoes, wanting a kiss. He gives me what I want, kissing me deeply. Luckily I wore my long-stay, smudge-proof lipstick tonight, otherwise it would be all over my face right now.
“Are you drinking tonight?” I ask him when he pulls away, resting my arm on his chest.
He shakes his head.
“Why not?” I ask, sitting down on the bed and tightening the strap on my shoe. “You deserve to have a little fun. I won’t drink if someone has to be designated driver, I don’t mind. I’d rather you have a good time, Vinnie.”