“That’s not much to go on,” Jolene said at last. “What interest is she to you?”
“That’s our business,” Fox growled.
I pushed out of my seat, walking to the window and gazing down at the lawn where naked party goers were jumping through a sprinkler. “You know, it would be an awful fucking shame for you to lose this place.”
“Lose it?” Chester hissed. “Why on earth would we lose it?”
“Hm, I dunno. Ceilings fall down, someone gets legionnaires disease from your badly kept hot tubs, a drunk idiot falls from one of your balconies and breaks their neck, a couple of assholes get trigger happy because you don’t get your muscle to pat people down on their way in.” I took my gun from where it was tucked in the back of my jeans and the two of them stiffened as I twirled it in my fingers and fixed them with a dark smile. “Shit happens. So you need a safety net. A nice little money cushion to fall back on during the bad times. And there’s always bad times. Are you sure you’re prepared for that?”
“If you’re suggesting that we don’t-” Chester started, turning red in the face at my insinuation, but Jolene dug her nails into him so hard he stalled mid-sentence. I swear there was blood seeping through his shirt. That woman was an animal. And one I would never underestimate.
“Five grand,” Fox offered. “If you get me a name by the end of the week.”
“It can’t be done,” Jolene laughed airily.
Chase stood up, lighting another cigarette as he casually disrespected their private office. “You get a lot of clientele here. People from the upper and lower quarters. Even people from out of town. And people like to talk when they’ve had a few drinks. And I know you like to listen Jolene. That’s why your paid pussy all wear these.” He reached into his pocket, tossing a little microphone down onto the desk so it bounced across it to land under Chester’s nose and I smirked. Trust Chase to take a blowjob for the team.
Jolene bristled and Chester turned even redder.
“You’d better have paid my girl by the way,” Jolene snarled and Chase laughed obnoxiously.
“She was begging for my cock, I think she would have paid me to suck it. But I wouldn’t have taken the money anyway. I’m generous like that. So you’re welcome.” He winked and Jolene’s upper lip peeled back as her head snapped around to face Fox.
“I won’t be disrespected by your men in my home,” she hissed. “Your father would never have-”
Fox reached into his pocket, taking out a roll of cash and tossing it onto her desk. “Call that a down payment for the information I want. But Chase really doesn’t pay for fucks and I sure as shit don’t pay for them for him. Take care of yourself, Jolene.” Fox turned his back on them, striding across the room and shoving his way out the door.
I tossed a salute to Fox’s aunt and Sergeant Douchenheimer and headed after my boy, my shoulder brushing Chase’s as we followed.
Exhilaration buzzed through my veins as I tucked my gun away and the music washed over me. Part of me wanted to stay and get fucked up, but most of me wanted to return home to check on Rogue. At least her being locked up in a house that belonged to the most powerful men in town and surrounded by armed men put me at ease some. But not nearly enough. Not now I knew what she was running from. I wouldn’t be heading home just yet though. We were by no means done for the night.
My restless soul settled a little knowing we’d done something in an effort to find out who the asshole was who’d hurt Rogue. But it wasn’t nearly enough. I was sure we’d find some of The Damned Men to alleviate our stress and wet our hands in their blood before dawn.
We made it outside, walking over to the truck as people snapped pictures of us on their phones like we were damn celebrities and I booted one right out of a guy’s hand into the pool. Chase whooped, flicking his cigarette after it and managing to burn a hole in an inflatable shaped like a giant dick. If I had this place, the pool toys would be flamingos and unicorns, not ride along cocks.
We climbed into the truck after Fox and the silence settled over us as he turned on the engine.
We all knew where we were going without any of us having to say a word. The fight was in us tonight and it needed to be let out. And there was really only one place where it could be truly sated in Sunset Cove.
The Divide.
I was surprised I managed to sleep again after everything that had happened the night before, but when I next opened my eyes, the gulls were calling beyond my window and the sun was rising up into the sky.
I slipped out of bed and immediately spotted a pile of clothes on the armchair facing the bed that hadn't been there last night.
I frowned as I moved towards it, finding my booty shorts and red bikini freshly laundered plus a black tank with a white rose printed on it alongside my Red Power Ranger cap which I was guessing JJ went and found for me. But if he thought I was gonna thank him for it then he’d be waiting a long damn time. I changed into the clothes, frowning as a different scent washed off of the shirt as I dragged it over my head. This was a rich, cedar scent that immediately made me think of Fox. I growled at myself as that thought occurred to me, knowing I was right and hating that I could tell it was his from nothing more than the stupid smell of a shirt that was freaking clean.
I drew in a deep breath and headed for the door, frowning as I found it unlocked and trying to remember if I'd left it that way. I could have sworn I'd locked it when I came back here last night, but then again, it was one of those twisting situations which always turned the wrong way and boggled my brain so maybe I'd just done it wrong.
I headed down the corridor, cutting a glance at JJ's cracked door as temptation urged me to take a closer look, before giving in to common sense and heading on down to the kitchen instead.
The sliding doors were wide open and the scent of breakfast hung in the air, even though I couldn't see any food hiding anywhere.
Chase was lounging beside the pool, cigarette jammed in the corner of his mouth while JJ sat upright on the lounger beside him, leaning in close so they could talk.
Not that they were talking now. The silence in the air was enough to hear a pin drop and more than enough to confirm the subject of their conversation.
I pursed my lips as their gazes fell on me, but before I could say anything, the front door banged and I turned to find Fox striding into the room in a pair of running shorts and no shirt, his skin slick with perspiration and looking good enough to lick.
Not that I'd be licking it. But shit, these boys really had grown up in the past ten years. They'd grown and grown and...wow I can totally see the outline of his dick through those shorts. And it was not a small outline either. Damn.
I licked my lips before I could stop myself and when I forced my eyes up and away from the leviathan lurking inside Fox's shorts, I found his green eyes fixed on me. The anger in them was clear enough and it was even more obvious that it wasn't aimed at me. Which meant JJ had spilled. One glance at the treacherous little -okay, not so little anymore - prick was enough to confirm it – that boy had never had a good poker face and he looked guilty as fuck right about now.
"Great. Thanks, JJ. I know who not to trust with any of my secrets in future," I snapped, turning away from Fox and yanking the fridge open as I hunted down some food.
I reached out to grab something, but before I could, Fox caught my wrist and tugged me around to face him, tossing the fridge door closed behind us.
"I want a name," he growled, crowding me in against the worktop until his chest was practically pressed to mine and I was pinned in the intensity of his gaze.
"Or what?" I hissed, my anger over...well, fucking everything in my shitty ass life actually, spilling over as he tried to force me to bend to his will. "Are you going to choke me out too? Or maybe just shove me about a bit until I give you what you want?"
"Fuck you. Don't compare me to that motherfucker," he snapped, pushing away from me as fast as he'd moved in on me and I narrowed my eyes at him as he stalked o
ver to the oven, grabbed a plate out from inside it and tossed it down on the kitchen island.
I eyed the stack of pancakes with my stomach rumbling before Fox pointed at them, giving me a look that demanded I eat them as he placed a bottle of maple syrup down beside them and slammed a knife and fork down too.
It was literally the angriest table service I'd ever seen but I was as hungry as a shark in a cornfield, so I plopped down onto the stool before them and started eating. Fox stalked back to the fridge, grabbed a protein shake out of the door and started shaking it so vigorously that I was surprised the top didn't fly off.
"I hope that's not the way you jerk off," I said lightly, biting down on a fluffy forkful of pancake as he glared at me. "Though if your poor cock is always having to put up with that treatment, I guess it could explain why you go around looking half constipated all the time."
Chase barked a laugh behind me and I smirked into my next bite of food while Fox just glowered.
"I was thinking that I could take Rogue with me to Lucinda's today," JJ said loudly as he walked over to join us, clearly working to change the subject and I tossed him a scowl without replying as Fox considered it. "I think she could do with a bit of pampering," JJ pushed, giving Fox a less than subtle look which said stop-being-a-dick, but I was willing to bet that was a physical impossibility.
"What's Lucinda's?" I interjected. "You're not just taking me places without letting me know what I'm doing there."
"It's a beauty salon in the upper quarter," JJ said, giving me a grin. "I've got some work to do there and I thought you could get your hair done or whatever."
"Pass," I replied. "I've got fifteen bucks to my name which won't buy me shit in some fancy salon and I'd rather save that for food."
"My treat," JJ insisted as Fox scoffed lightly at my lack of funds. "I owe you for being a shitty secret keeper. You can get whatever you want done and I'll pay."
I pursed my lips, glancing between JJ and Fox before shaking my head again. "No thanks. I don't need charity. I can look after myself."
"Oh, so you have a job then, do you? A way to make that fifteen bucks grow?" Chase asked from his sun lounger and I turned to glance at him where he lay in the sun all oiled up and glistening and...not in any way tempting. Fuck him.
"Yeah, I do actually. I can get whatever I want whenever I want it. And I don't want some fancy haircut."
"Stealing shit isn't exactly a job," Chase replied in a mocking tone, seeing right through me and I smirked at him before I could stop myself. He had always been the most likely one of them to get me into trouble and I guessed he was still the most likely to corrupt me if I let him.
"You're going," Fox announced like it was up to him. "If you stay with me today, I'm gonna end up trying to shake that fucking name from your lips. Go get your nails done and stay out of trouble. I’ll give you some money for new clothes too. Maybe after a day of relaxing you'll stop being such an unreasonable brat and tell me what I want to know."
I stood up suddenly, grabbed the bottle of maple syrup from the worktop and lunged at him with the full intention to dump the contents over his stupid fat head, but JJ's arms locked around my waist before I could do it.
I cursed him as he hoisted me off of my feet and tried to fight my way out of his grip while he chuckled in my ear.
"Come on, sweetheart, let's get going before you start a riot in the house,” JJ said as if he was giving me a choice.
Fox glowered at me as I was carried away from him and I launched the bottle of syrup at his smug face, but he just caught it before it could make contact.
Chase's laughter followed us outside and JJ bundled me over to a black pickup before opening the door and shoving me inside. I scooted across the seats as he followed, moving to the far side of the car and folding my arms as I glared out the window.
"Where's Mutt?" I asked as JJ slammed the door behind him and my little dog was left behind.
"Chase will watch him. I don't think dogs like beauty salons so much anyway," JJ said cheerily before starting the truck up and pulling us off of the gravel drive.
My gaze trailed over the group of four armed dudes hanging out by the gate, almost looking like they just happened to be there. But I knew well enough that they were on watch, ready and willing to kill any fucker who tried to get close to the house without permission.
The dull click of the doors locking rang out and I huffed irritably as I opened the window and let the warm breeze tease through my hair, turning my attention to the view.
"I thought the orange GT was yours," I muttered as we pulled out onto the road.
"It is. But some asshole in a beat up old Jeep side swiped it, so it's currently in the shop," JJ replied, arching a brow at me and making me laugh.
"I happened to like that Jeep. I mean, a newer model with AC might have been nice, but aside from that I thought it was a pretty sweet ride,” I said defensively, though why I was defending that old stolen piece of shit, I didn’t know.
"Yeah, well, I think the original owners may have it back now, sweetheart, so you'll have to forget about that one."
I shrugged and let the conversation drop off as I looked out of the windows at the familiar landscape and drank in all the changes that had occurred since I'd left.
JJ took the road which ran up the side of the cliff and I watched the view over the ocean with a deep sense of homecoming filling my chest. Whatever else I had to worry about over returning here, I couldn't deny that my heart belonged to the sea and it was happy to be back by the water at last. I refused to admit that it had anything to do with anything other than the sea though, because Sunset Cove was not and never would be my home again.
As we drove into the upper quarter, the buildings became obviously more expensive. This part of the town was a new addition which the wealthy assholes had claimed for their own, lording it over everyone from their vantage point up on the cliff. They liked to pretend the lower quarter wasn't there at all, forgetting about the people living down in the valley and leaving us to our own devices down there in the dirt. Which was just the way we liked it of course. They could stay out of our business and we could target them for ours.
We passed Afterlife where I'd found JJ yesterday and kept driving until we came up to a boulevard of fancy stores and boutiques called Avalon Row. JJ pulled down a side street and parked up in a spot behind a restaurant that wasn't currently open before getting out and offering me his hand.
I ignored him and tried to open my door, only to find that the damn thing wouldn't budge.
"Child locks, sweetheart. We can't have you running off on us when we've only just found you," JJ explained with a grin and I muttered something about controlling assholes beneath my breath as I scrambled over the seats and hopped down beside him.
Of course, he didn't just let me walk myself wherever we were going, tossing his arm around my shoulders and keeping me close as we walked along behind the stores. I glanced up at him as I tried to maintain my anger despite his casual, easy going attitude and pouted as he grinned back like we were having the time of our lives and I wasn't a prisoner at all.
I reached up and stole his pink sunglasses once more, earning myself a chuckle from him as I pushed them up my nose and let myself relax in his hold just a little. It wasn't like I was looking to run yet anyway. I needed to find their keys and I didn't really have anywhere to go even if I did leave.
“What happened to your face?” I asked, noticing the shadow of a bruise lining the edge of his jaw and reaching out to brush my fingers along it.
“Do you care about me now, sweetheart?” he asked with a disarming smile, meant to make me forget my question.
“Ah, so I’m supposed to tell you where I got my injuries, but you’ll keep your own secrets about yours?” I said, not surprised in the least about the double standards. The three of them clearly thought they ruled the fucking world so why wouldn’t they be utter hypocrites with their own behaviour?
“It’s nothi
ng, pretty girl,” JJ said with a shrug, using the name he’d always used to call me as if no time had passed at all. “But we were all a bit het up after finding out what had happened to you last night, so we went looking for a fight. I wanted to beat some asshole’s face in even if it couldn’t be the motherfucker who hurt you.”
I rolled my eyes at the macho bullshit.
“So some poor innocent idiot had to take a beating to sate your testosterone fuelled crazy?” I asked.
“No. They weren’t innocent. I can promise you that.” He winked at me but didn’t elaborate and I dropped it. Their gang bullshit didn’t interest me much anyway.
JJ drew me over to a door at the back of one of the shops and knocked sharply before a perfectly made up blonde opened the door with a wide smile.
"Hey, JJ," she purred, making a show of checking him out as she moved aside to let us in.
"Hey, Lucy, how's business?" he asked, leading me down a short corridor and into a huge salon.
Everything was obviously expensive in a way that screamed you don't belong to my broke ass but drew me in at the same time. The walls and furniture were a mixture of pale pink and white with gold fixtures adorning everything.
There were a couple of other girls wearing the same pink uniform as Lucy working around the salon, though there was only one customer having her hair done near the glass front of the building. A row of doors leading into private rooms with words painted on the doors like facial chamber and massage parlour ran along the wall to my right, and all in all the place looked pretty damn fancy.
"Everything is good here, J," Lucy purred, petting his arm with a wide smile that said she would offer him the full range of services if he asked for it. "Is this Fox's new girl?"
"Err, no," I said, whirling around to look at her in surprise. "Why would you think that?"
Lucy cut a glance at JJ and shrugged a little helplessly. "I just assumed...we were told to expect a pretty brunette who belongs to Fox with JJ today, and here you are fitting the bill-"
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