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“Either way, it’s none of your beeswax. My life. My choice.”
Lennon linked elbows with her friend. “What if she was asking for me?”
“You’re definitely not getting one,” Kas remarked snidely.
Pru’s grip on my hand tightened to the point of pain. She was furious and seeing as my woman’s lips were curled in disgust, I braced for the verbal smackdown I was certain she was about to unleash. And I wasn’t wrong.
Pru dropped my hand, stomped forward, and poked her index finger into Kas’s chest. “What the hell is your problem?”
His eyes flared wide. “I don’t have a problem, Pru.” He softened his voice for her.
“Bullshit.” She poked him again. Hard. “I gave you the benefit of the doubt earlier when you were rude to Lennon, figuring you were hangry. But there’s no excuse for your bitchery a second time, so I’ll ask again. What the hell is your problem?”
“Bitchery?” He cocked his head to the side. “That’s not a real word.”
“So what? I made it up. Do I have to call Webster and have it added to the dictionary before you’ll answer my question?” Tears welled in her eyes, and her voice shook. “She’s my friend, Kasimir. I don’t have a lot of those.”
“Fuck.”
Lennon placed her hand on Pru’s shoulder. “He doesn’t have to like me for us to be friends. I’m sorry to say, you’re stuck with me until you say otherwise.”
“Life it is, then.” The grin on her face disappeared when she focused on Kas again. “Our conversation isn’t over. Let’s go, girls.”
Daria and Lennon quickly joined Pru, and the trio began walking back to the church. They didn’t get too far ahead before the four of us were on their heels. Once we reached the back entrance, Mak and Kas excused themselves. They’d go ahead to ensure our new basement guest was comfortable with his accommodations. I’d join them later, leaving Dimi to watch over the women.
Pru scanned the kitchen when we stepped inside. “Where’s Kent? I haven’t seen him for a while.”
“He got hurt,” Dimi answered for me.
She had a serious soft spot for her body guard, which was the only reason the man still breathed fresh air. Twice he’d failed to protect her, so I wasn’t entirely sure if that would be the case for much longer. At the very least, he needed to know there were consequences for his incompetence.
“How?” she asked, then answered her own question. “It was scar-face, wasn’t it?”
“Yes. He took out Kent and another one of our guys,” I told her.
“Are they okay?”
“I have no idea. We went to look for you three.”
“Where are they?”
“Hospital, I presume.”
“We need to go.”
“Go where?”
“To the hospital, Zak.” She looked around, grabbing her purse from the counter. “These are your men. You should be there to check on them.”
“I’m their boss, not their babysitter, Pru. They’re grown-ass adults.” That was the wrong thing to say. If looks could kill, I’d be six feet under. Backpedaling as fast as I could, I explained, “Mak sent someone with them. I’ll get updates on their conditions as soon as they’ve been examined.”
“Why didn’t you start with that?”
Dimi jumped in to save me. “You didn’t exactly give him a chance.”
“It’s been a long night.” I took her hand, then directed my next statement to the other two. “Why don’t you two stay at our house tonight?”
“Really?” Pru snuggled into my side.
