Page 80 of Reckless Vengeance

Skeeter’s eyes were sharp and alert as he scanned the area around us, getting Rory to unlock the door so he could keep watch. Once inside, he did a sweep of the house before announcing it was safe for us to hang out in the living room.

“Are we in some kind of lockdown now?” I asked as I sat on the couch, intending on tugging Rory onto my lap, but Skeeter snagged her wrist to stop me.

“Aurora, go wash the crime scene off you. We might have gotten away with it, it seems Ty’s house is pretty soundproof, but that doesn’t mean we’re in the clear. Anyone could call in to report gang members leaving the property. I’ve had Diesel wipe the outside security cameras just in case the cops sniff around and get a warrant for them. Assume they could show up at any time, gang wars make them nervous. Also go about your day as if they’re watching you, so be careful what you say and do in public.”

Rory unzipped Skeeter’s jacket that covered her frame, shrugging it off and handing it to him. “Don’t kill each other while I’m gone.”

“I’ll try not to,” he chuckled, giving me a dirty look as she took my hand and pulled me to my feet.

“C’mon, keep me company,” she stated, and there was no way I was going to argue with her.

I glanced at the guys, and they looked relieved that she wasn’t going to be alone, so I followed her to Skeeter’s bedroom for her to grab some fresh clothes, then we headed into the bathroom.

“I’m sorry,” she said with a sigh as she waited for the water to heat, placing her gun on the counter and starting to strip her clothes.

“What for?” I frowned, unsure if she wanted me to get in with her, or just hang out here while she showered.

When I didn’t move, she reached for my shirt and pulled it over my head, sliding her arms around my waist and pressing her cheek to my chest.

“It’s just been so hard to spend time with you. The guys as well, to be honest. With all this crew drama⁠—”

“Hey,” I murmured, sliding a hand into her hair to gently pull her head back to look up at me. “None of that is your fault. I’d rather you be with Skeet than us some days because he can keep you safer than us. Where’d you go yesterday? I know you wanted space, but I hate it when you’re alone.”

“I went to the movie theater. That way I could be alone but wasn’t exactly unprotected. It’s easy to hide in a dark room,” she shrugged, looking away from me as she pulled back.

I hated the feeling inside me that said she was keeping secrets, but I knew she wasn’t lying about her location.

I felt bad for testing her, but I’d already known where she’d been, I’d tracked her phone.

Leaving her alone had been difficult, but I was trying my hardest to gain her trust, which meant respecting her need for space.

Newhaven was pretty safe, but with the Soldiers putting a target on her back, I wasn’t sure anywhere was safe right now.

She stepped into the shower and I kicked my jeans and boxers off to join her, backing her against the wall and taking her face in my hands.

“I know I’m not Skeet, but I will always do everything in my power to keep you safe. I love you.”

Her face softened and she slid her hands around my waist, moving them up my back to pull me closer.

“I don’t want you to be Skeet. I love you for you, Caden.”

“Being Skeet would keep you safe.”

“That may be so, but Caden pays my bills. Right, money bags?” she teased, making me huff out a laugh. Any other girl would be with me for my money, but not Rory. I was pretty sure if I gave her a pile of cash, she’d set it on fire and call me an asshole.

“If it’s mine, it’s yours,” I promised, motioning for her to turn around. “As much as I love staring at your tits, turn so I can wash your hair.”

“I’m quite capable of doing it myself.”

“Very aware that you’re a strong, independent woman who doesn’t need me, but I want to,” I murmured, taking her waist and moving her where I wanted her.

Within seconds of my fingers massaging her scalp as I shampooed her, her shoulders dropped and her entire body relaxed. She claimed to not need anyone, but she did.

She needed someone to pamper her at the end of each day because she couldn’t be a badass and then come home and wash her own hair. That would be unacceptable.

“Who would have thought the rich boy who has staff to tie his shoes would be lowering himself to my very own personal hair washer?” she mumbled with amusement as I started rinsing the bubbles from her hair.

“That’s how you know it’s true love, right?” I joked, peeking over my shoulder as the door creaked open. I expected Skeeter, but it was Lukas.