Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? (The Big Bad Wolf Trilogy Book 1)

by Janie Marie

  “Fair enough. Okay, so I was mad?”

  She nodded, understanding that he was talking about her leaving his fight.

  “Well, there’s normally celebrating and shit after I win. But I was pissed. I just wanted to search for you—but that would get me nowhere, so I got drunk instead. Chris kept trying to suggest one of the girls, but I kept blowing him off. Time was winding down on our ‘clock’, and I was getting angrier the more I drank. He said something about not believing I was acting like this over a naïve little girl. Then he had the nerve to say I need help if I only get hard for kids. I lost it and attacked him. Before I knew it, I’d broken his arm. Mark pulled me off, but the damage was done.”

  She grinned like an idiot, and she couldn’t stop.

  “That makes you happy?” He chuckled.

  She nodded, giddy that he sort of defended her.

  “Well, I don’t regret it. I didn’t know he’d told you what he did until the next morning. If I had known, I would have really beaten the shit out of him.”

  “I’m sure that had to do with Janie, though.” It was petty of her, but she didn’t care.

  He shrugged. “It just added to my anger. He’d hurt two girls I care about. I’m glad to be done with him, and there are better agents out there anyway. Plus, Ryder hated his guts. As much as we piss each other off, we’re good sparring partners. So it cuts out the extra drama none of us need.”

  “That’s good, I guess.”

  “Yeah.” He rotated his arm. “Fuck, he locked my arm up good.”

  Kylie leaned up, tracing the muscle. She couldn’t tell what to look for, and he had tattoos and way too many muscles. “It was pretty cool to see you fight him. The fight lasted longer than the one you had before, and every fight I’ve seen Ryder in, he’s easily wiped the floor with the guy.”

  Logan nodded. “He would kill if he went pro, but he won’t. He has too much of their family business to deal with.”

  Kylie jerked her eyes up. “What’s their family business?”

  “I don’t know, really.” He avoided meeting her eyes.

  “I thought your family worked with theirs.”

  “We do.” He rubbed his face, sighing. “But I’m not like them. Wait until you see their homes. You’re staying at the Knight house but I’m sure they’ll take you to the Godson estate. It’s insane.”

  She knew he was avoiding answering questions, but let him off this time. “Are they richer than Kevin?”

  “Definitely.” A faint curve of his lips hinted that he wasn’t telling her everything. “Like I said before, our families don’t need to have our names slapped on a town to know what’s ours.”

  “Did you grow up rich?”

  “Nah.” He shook his head. “My dad got out of the game when they had me. I’m not in like the others because of my mom. She kept me from our traditions and the truth.”

  “Oh.” She frowned, not sure what he meant by ‘the truth. “So it’s like a cult?”

  “No. I kinda can’t say anything else.” His gaze shifted away. “The Godson, Knight, and Prince legacies all have rules anyway.”

  “Prince?”

  “Just drop it, baby.”

  She pouted. “But this is interesting. I just had homework on The Little Moon and The End of Gods & Monsters.”

  “Those are good.” He grinned, pecking her lips. “Maybe just read them, and you’ll figure stuff out. Anyway, I won’t learn more unless I become a . . .”

  “A what?”

  He sighed, smoothing her hair back. “Nothing.”

  “Aw, come on.”

  “It’s nothing.” He chuckled, acting hurt when she gave him a little shake.

  “Fine, can I ask a question about me?”

  He smirked. “Is it about you naked?”

  That reminded her of what Trevor had said, but she was sure asking him about it would only result in a fight. She’d just wait for the chance to check his drawer the next time she was at his place.

  “I’m waiting, Hood.”

  “I want to know if you like me?”

  He kissed her sweetly before looking all over her face, then said, “Hood, what have I been telling you from the first day we met?” When she didn’t answer, he said, “I’ve said you’re my girl. What do you think I mean by that?”

  “I thought that was just you being you. You’ve never said more than you just want to take care of me—never that you actually liked me. You didn’t want a girlfriend.”

  His brows furrowed adorably. “You think I don’t like you?”

  “I don’t know what I think.”

  He kept staring at her like he was debating what to say. “Hood, I—”

  Janie’s voice rang out from the hall before he could start. “Can we come in?”

  “Shit,” he said before yelling, “Hang on!” Giving her an apologetic smile, he helped her up. “We’ll talk later. I promise. You guys probably need to head home, though. I’m sorry I can’t go with you over there, but I have to do some stuff with Mark. Anyway, you have school tomorrow.”

  “But—“

  He pecked her quickly, kissing across her cheek so he could whisper in her ear. “I like you more than you know.”

  She smiled and received a few more kisses before he walked them to the door.

  “But I promise we’ll still talk later. That’s not what I wanted to tell you.”

  “What do you want to tell me?”

  He shook his head. “Later, Hood.” Her pout only caused him to chuckle as he opened the door. “Hey,” he said, greeting Janie, then looked at Ryder. “Are you done crying?”

  Ryder scoffed and pulled Janie inside. “Bitch, I held back.”

  “So did I.”

  “Yeah right.” Ryder plopped down on a chair before pulling Janie onto his lap. He looked a little sore, just like Logan, but neither looked like they had just beaten the crap out of each other.

  Kylie watched Janie covering Ryder’s jaw with kisses. He’d taken a hard hit there, and it was a little bruised.

  Ryder smirked at Janie. “Baby, that’s not where I need you to kiss to make me better.”

  “Hush, it’s magic.” She kissed his jaw again.

  Was this the type of shit Logan was expecting? Kissing him better? She didn’t want to be like Janie, or to remind Logan of her—and this had her thinking Janie had kissed plenty of Logan’s wounds better.

  Logan laughed as he gathered their things. “You think I didn’t hold back?”

  Ryder shook his head before turning his face to take the kiss Janie was aiming for his cheek.

  Logan pressed a kiss to Kylie’s temple, quieting those darker thoughts, as he slid his hand to rest on her hip. “You going to be okay staying with her?”

  She nodded, smiling because Ryder was now frowning at his girlfriend’s pampering. “Yeah. Maybe it will be fun—I haven’t had a sleepover since I was maybe thirteen. Maybe this’ll help me get to know her.” Honestly, she didn’t care to get to know Janie, but it would make him happy. And he’d already made it clear she couldn’t stay with him. It really was better than going to the awkward situation she’d find at home.

  “I hope you have fun then,” he said. “And I know you’ll like her. She’s the best person I know.”

  Ugh.

  “We have to get going, Logan,” Ryder said, standing up. “I have to swing by my place so I can get some of her shit.”

  Logan smirked at Ryder as he took her hand. “You need me to buy you a teddy bear to cuddle?”

  Ryder’s eyes lit up in emerald flames. “Do you need my boot up your ass?”

  Kylie’s eyes went wide at the dark tone, but Logan just laughed and pulled her out of the room. Ryder didn’t tug Janie ahead, like she expected, and she felt the tension rise between the man-boys.

  “We’re gonna have so much fun,” Janie told her, grinning up at Ryder at the last second. “Babe, we can play hide ‘n’ seek.”

  “Doubt Blondie wants to play hide-and-see
k,” he told her, but he grinned over his shoulder at Logan, adding, “We fuck every time and get caught.”

  Surprisingly, Logan laughed. “I don’t know why you’re smiling at me. Makes me think you’re swapping Janie’s face out for mine.”

  Janie giggled as Ryder shook his head. “They have the best bromance, Kylie. You’re going to laugh so hard with them together.”

  She doubted it, but she smiled at the girl anyway.

  Ryder finally picked up the pace and dragged Janie ahead of them.

  Logan lifted their hands and kissed her fingers. “He’s gonna be moody about leaving her at her dad’s.”

  “They really live together?” Kylie asked him.

  “Yeah.” He frowned. “Ryder’s older brother’s in town, and he’s likely going to stick around. So it’s best for her to be away from the Godson home. The Knights won’t let him onto their property, so that’s where it’s safest for both of you.”

  “If he’s is such a problem, why would you ask Ryder to call him? Is he the one you said would help if we needed?” She was fishing for information.

  “Yeah.” He smiled at her frown. “Don’t worry about it. He’s just a backup plan.”

  Her stomach was in knots about. “You’re not going to have to deal with him, right?”

  “Baby, just leave this to me,” he said, harsher than she expected. “I know what I’m doing.”

  She bit her lip, not wanting to cause another fight or make him feel that she didn’t believe in him.

  “Just don’t worry,” he said softer. “I’m only using his help if we need it.”

  She nodded and stared at the couple ahead of them. They were back to being cute. She couldn’t believe they lived together; she’d thought it was just for a few days when Janie brought it up before.

  Logan squeezed her hand. “Do you need me to go get anything from your house?”

  Like that would go over well. “No, I’ll just wear this again.”

  “I’ll find her something,” Janie told them as Ryder opened the trunk of his car and loaded items. “And don’t worry, I’ll have her send you texts to show she’s fine.”

  Logan smirked. “Good. But just record it if you two have a sexy pillow fight, and make sure you say dirty words to each other—maybe slip in a kiss or something.”

  Ryder’s angry expression slipped, and he chuckled when Janie flipped Logan off.

  “Stop being a pervert,” Kylie when Janie tried to act like she wasn’t paying attention.

  “Stop being sexy and maybe I will,” Logan said quietly. “Have fun, okay? And get your schoolwork done. If anything happens, I’ll come get you, but I think you two will be fine. She really likes you. I promise.”

  “I’ll be fine. Maybe I’ll even get over some of my anxiety with her.”

  “You will.” He smiled and pulled her closer. “I’ll pick you up after school, okay?”

  “Really?” She wanted that so badly. Just having her boyfriend show everyone she was special enough to change his day.

  He nodded and chuckled at her big smile. “I’ll be out front. We’ll have to go back to the gym, but I’ll work you out this time.” He pecked her lips and pulled her tighter. “And I’ll let you start my punishment.”

  “Grimm, will you shut the fuck up already?” Ryder had never sounded more annoyed as he guided Janie to the passenger side of the car. “Just kiss her goodbye. I have shit to do.”

  “Babe,” Janie yelled.

  “What?” he yelled right back.

  “Let him tell her bye. Quit being a dick or you’re cut off.”

  Ryder muttered curses and opened the door for his girlfriend, only to growl and start pulling things out to take to the trunk. “Woman, when the fuck did you put blankets in here?”

  “It’s a gift from Mark,” Janie said. “Look at the moon!”

  Ryder didn’t look but Logan finally turned back to Kylie.

  “Text me when you guys get to her house,” he said.

  She nodded but she sad about saying goodbye.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He caressed her hair before holding her chin.

  “Okay. Um, have a good night.” She darted her gaze, seeing a few men leave the gym as Janie caught her eye.

  Logan chuckled and used both hands to cradle her face. “You’re turning me into a pussy. I’ll miss you.”

  She melted. This boy was never going to stay in trouble with her. All she could do was stand there, smiling as he lowered his lips to brush across hers. It was one of those kisses that wasn’t quite a kiss, more like he was teasing her.

  “You’re supposed to say, I’ll miss you, too, Logan.”

  She grinned against his lips. “I’ll miss you a lot. Now hurry up and kiss me.”

  “I wish I could do so much more than that,” he said softly, giving her the kiss that took her away from the world and to a place where it was just them.

  “Any fucking day now,” came Ryder’s annoyed voice, yanking it all away.

  Logan chuckled, guiding her to the car. “Take care of my girl.”

  Ryder popped the seat for Kylie to get in. “I only take care of mine.”

  Janie stood on the edge of the car, leaning over the top as she told Kylie, “He’s happy to act guard dog for us.”

  “You,” Ryder deadpanned. “It’s all for you.” But he flicked his gaze to Kylie. “Come on. You’ll be fine with us.”

  A white Lexus pulled up on Janie’s side, and before Kylie got in, she saw Logan and Ryder tense.

  “Janie, get in the damn car,” Ryder growled.

  Kylie jumped at the dark tone as a man wearing an all-white business suit exited the car. He ran a hand through his gunmetal gray hair, then tugged his sleeves in place as his eyes locked on Janie.

  “Get in the fucking car,” Ryder repeated, taking a step toward Janie.

  Logan pushed Kylie toward the door Ryder had opened. “Get in. Now.”

  “What’s wrong?” Her gaze flew back to the man. His gaze was still on Janie and not on the furious bad boy nearing him.

  “My queen,” the man greeted . . . Janie.

  “Get the fuck away from her,” Ryder snarled, pushing the guy back.

  “Babe, calm down,” Janie said, wrapping her arms around his waist.

  “Hood, get in,” Logan said the moment the man looked right at her.

  She froze under his cold stare, and damn near peed herself when his eyes gleamed with silver.

  He actually looked a little familiar with his chiseled features and fierce gray eyes, but she was sure she’d never seen him before.

  He shifted his gaze from her back to Janie, who had somehow managed to get between him and Ryder, and smirked.

  Logan shoved Kylie harder, and she tripped but got into the car. She yelped as he tossed in her backpack and slammed the door in her face.

  She couldn’t hear what was being said, but Ryder was standing toe to toe with the man, holding Janie behind him.

  Logan went over then, grabbing Janie by the arm as he opened the passenger door and pushed her in. “You’re not helping. Stay here.”

  Janie glared at him, but Logan pinned her with a darker glare and shut the door in her face too.

  “What’s happening?” Kylie whispered as Logan turned to shake hands with the man in white and a second man who wore a black suit and a devilish smile.

  “What happens every time his brother gets close to me,” Janie said softly. “Ryder loses his mind and Logan ends up involved in something he doesn’t need to be.”

  “That’s Ryder’s brother?”

  Janie nodded. “Luc Godson.”

  Ryder turned his back on his brother and, flipping him off, rounded the car.

  Kylie scrambled over to sit behind Janie since there was no room behind him, cringing when he slammed the door.

  “Stupid motherfuckers,” he said, starting the car.

  “Babe, please relax,” Janie cooed, reaching over to caress his clenched jaw.

 
He shot a frightening glare at Janie. “How can I fucking relax when he’s after you?”

  Kylie’s eyes widened. That didn’t sound good.

  “He’s not after me,” Janie said, stretching over to kiss Ryder’s shoulder. “I’m yours. You always scare him off anyway.”

  Ryder didn’t reply. He just drove fast, shifting gears roughly as the street lights streamed past the window like falling stars.

  As pretty as the sight was, the atmosphere in the car was suffocating, and she couldn’t stand it. Maybe she’d try to be friendly . . . “Yeah, you’re good at scaring people off,” she said, earning a smile from Janie. “I mean, I didn’t even know about those guys at our school who . . . hurt Janie.”

  “What?” His voice was so loud that she covered her ears. “Who fucking hurt you?” he asked Janie.

  “I don’t know,” Janie said, frowning. “No one hurt me.”

  “Who the fuck are you talking about?” Ryder slammed on the breaks at a stoplight.

  She braced herself so she wouldn’t hit the back of Janie’s seat, then searched for her seatbelt.

  “Who?” Ryder yelled at her.

  “The guys who raped her,” she shouted before slapping her hands over her mouth.

  Ryder went silent and grabbed Janie’s hand. He lifted it to his lips and kissed sweetly before letting go so he could drive again.

  Kylie lowered her hands while her heart pounded hard and fast. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to blurt it out. I just meant that I had no idea those guys went to our school. They must be scared shitless.”

  “They don’t go to our school,” Janie said, settling back in her seat.

  “Oh,” Kylie said quietly. “That’s good.”

  “Yep.” Janie’s head bobbed. “They’re dead.”

  Continued in

  Little Hood and Her Wolf

  CONTINUE THE BIG BAD WOLF TRILOGY

  LITTLE HOOD and HER WOLF

  #2 The Big Bad Wolf Trilogy

  Kylie knew Logan Grimm came with a price. She just had no idea that the price was being told what to do by the most dangerous residents of Blackwoods.

  She should run and survive, but Logan’s sweet words and even sweeter kisses keep her where she is.