Page 56 of Reckless Vengeance

We headed out to the parking lot and I straddled my bike as I lit a cigarette, trying really hard not to look at her as she leaned back against the Corvette to smoke too.

Thinking about fucking her was an asshole move, but the way she was leaning on the car right now was doing it for me.

“Thank you,” she finally sighed, her shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry I used your spot, but⁠—”

“Use my spot whenever you want. I don’t mind,” I assured her, leaning back to put my feet on the handlebars. “Did it help?”

“I feel a little better. I had to get out of the house but I was going to end up murdering Skeet or something, so I found myself coming here instead.”

“Want me to murder him for you? I’ll do it for free,” I deadpanned, and she rolled her eyes.

“No. I’m angry, but he’s dealing with a lot more than me. At least I can grieve and shut myself away if I want. He’s stuck having to keep a mask in place and run a crew.”

“He needs to whip his boys into gear. You shouldn’t have had to skip the funeral for your safety. My guys would never go against my orders like that,” I stated with annoyance.

“Was it a good funeral? Would Slash have liked it?” Her voice cracked, and I fought the urge to go to her and hold her again.

Whatever had happened in that dark theater room was a once-off, and she wouldn't tolerate it out here.

“I think so. Make sure you go and see him though. He’ll struggle to rest until you’ve said your goodbyes,” I warned her, watching her nod.

“I will, just not today. Maybe not being able to go today was a blessing, I’m not ready.”

“That’s okay. He’d be happy waiting for you. Keep him on his toes,” I smiled, flicking the ash from my cigarette. “How’s your face?”

“Sore. Skeet’s fist is like a brick, you know?”

I pointed to my face, knowing there was visible damage. “I’m very aware.”

She chuckled, pushing off the car and moving towards me. I didn’t move, hoping she wasn’t about to shove me over.

“You need to stop getting in fights. The only good thing about you is your face.”

“You’re always black and blue, hypocrite. Are you calling me pretty, Donovan?” I teased, fighting the urge to grab her shirt and tug her closer to kiss me. She’d knock my teeth out.

“You’re definitely pretty, Pretty Boy. I really hope you guys can heal from your past. I know things will never be the same, but it would be nice to have you all in the same room without punches being thrown. Just once,” she grinned, her fingers reaching out to brush across the logo on my jacket.

I gently took her wrist, not wanting her to leave yet.

“I’d like that too,” I replied softly, sitting up and letting her wrist go, thankful when she didn’t step back. “At least then we could hang out without him murdering me, right?”

She scoffed, giving me a look of amusement. “I highly doubt he’d ever be okay with that.”

“C’mon, me and Skeet are a good team. You’d like us getting along, trust me.”

“Aw, you think he’s going to loan you my pussy?”

“I was kind of hoping he’d lend me your ass, but I’m not fussy,” I winked, light laughter leaving her. She thought I was joking, but that was okay.

“Skeet’s not the only guy in my life, and I promise you the others won’t let you near me. You’ll have to keep chasing Lexi for your kicks,” she teased.

“Bit hard when she’s locked up. I’m visiting her next week but we don’t get conjugal visits, unfortunately.”

“She must be pretty.”

“My bestie is stunning and very skilled in the bedroom, but I wouldn’t date her,” I said honestly, pulling my phone out and finding a photo of her to show Rory. “See?”

“No wonder Archer wants to kill you, she’s hot,” she teased, taking my phone to inspect the picture. It was one of me and Lexi at Wet Dreams doing shots with one of her friends. Her bleached blonde hair was all the way down to her ass, her makeup perfect as always, and she was wearing the smallest crop top and mini skirt that showed off her tattooed sleeves.