LOCK
Page 32
I saw the whole scene play out in my head like I was a psychic. Ember was going to tease me, and I’d tease her back. Nix would immediately lose his scary demeanor and worry about his sister being too close to these murderers that we were escorting out. And Ember would get made as family. In this lifestyle, connections were best kept murky if possible. Giving people information on who was most important to you might have consequences.
I rolled my eyes briefly. Because the most obvious answer was surely going to get me punched in the dick.
I swooped forward and grabbed Ember around the waist. I hefted her against my chest like I’d just come home from war and she’d already birthed three of my kids.
“Baby.” I kissed her hard on the mouth. On her nineteen-year-old mouth. I could almost hear Nix’s anger engulfing him like a wildfire.
If I were anyone else, I would have been dead four times already. As I walked Ember back into the house, she clung to me like she shouldn’t know how to do.
I pushed on Nix’s puffed up chest and peered around Ember’s forehead to see that his eyes were wild as I predicted.
I was barely kissing Ember now that my back was turned to Feybi and Kaleotos, but Ember was all into it.
Shit. Double shit. All the shits.
I was able to slam the door with my foot, thankfully before Kaleotos or Feybi could make out the farce for what it was.
I pulled Ember off of me. Her hot pink lipstick was smeared around her mouth, and I was betting mine as well.
“Step away from Animal, Ember. He and I are about to beat the fuck out of each other.” Nix rolled his head on his neck. Snapping, cracking noises accompanied the movement.
Another gorgeous woman stepped between Nix and me, her face half-etched in a faded version of his skull tat. His girlfriend, Becca, put her hands on both of our chests, and she looked at Ember and me and then turned to Nix.
“Hothead. Animal would never touch your sister.” I couldn’t see her face anymore, but it was clear from her tiny sweat shorts and tank that Becca had been relaxing upstairs.
“He kissed her. Kissed her!” Nix was fuming. I considered Ember. She looked frazzled. And embarrassed. And slightly infatuated.
Crap.
Becca shook her head, her ponytail bouncing all around. “No. Hear them out.” Becca grabbed onto Nix’s arm. It was tatted like a skeleton’s bones as well.
Nix looked at me with venom, but I wasn’t dead yet, so I knew he still loved me.
Then he glared at Ember. Instead of words, he just pointed from her to me and back again. The question was undoubtedly what the fuck?
Ember grabbed her own hands and kicked her sandaled foot against the tile behind her before answering, “I’m in love. That was the best kiss of my life.”
I felt my jaw drop. “Ember Ann Fenix Mercy Churchkey!”
She started to laugh before dropping the act. “Please, Nix. Obviously, I interrupted some of your business, and Animal was making sure I kept my big mouth shut.”
“You cannot be like that. He would kill me.” I pointed with my pinkie at Nix. He was a murderer. An assassin.
Ember laughed. “He’d never touch you in a million years. He’s addicted to all the sweetness and baby talk you lay on him all the time.”
I dared a glance back at Nix. He had visibly relaxed. “Ember, don’t play with fire like that. Shit. What the hell are you here for?”
Ember wiped her pink lipstick off of her face and then got up on her tiptoes and wiped my mouth as well.
I looked into her giant, gorgeous blue eyes and knew she was super duper trouble in general.
“I’m moving in. I’m leaving college and Aunt Dor to live here.”
“Um.” Ten minutes ago I was so eloquent, I’d convinced two mob bosses they were my bitches. I had nothing now. A teenaged girl made me tongue-tied.
Nix looked like his head was going to pop off again except for a whole different reason now.
HAVOC
About the Author
Debra creates pretend people in her head and paints them on the giant, beautiful canvas of your imagination. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in political science and writes new adult angst and romantic comedies. She lives in Maryland with her husband and two amazing children, two dogs and a cat the size of a small donkey.
Visit DebraAnastasia.com for more information
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Other Titles By Debra Anastasia
ANGST
MERCY
HAVOC
Poughkeepsie Begins
Poughkeepsie
Return to Poughkeepsie
Saving Poughkeepsie
COMEDY
BEAST
Booty Camp Dating Service
Fire Down Below
Fire in the Hole
Felony Ever After
Late Night with Andres
PARANORMAL
For All The Evers
The Revenger
Crushed Seraphim
Bittersweet Seraphim
Note from the Author
Thank you so much for reading. I am so excited have spent this time in your imagination. It’s
a gift that leaves me amazed, even after all these years. Back when I wrote FanFiction, the
platform allowed reader to leave reviews, and I miss that connection tremendously. I was
wondering if you could leave a review on Amazon for this book and any others you may
have read by me. Also, anyone that leaves a review will have six months of powerful
orgasms and have ownership of any unicorns on the planet.
I’m already working on our next adventure, dear reader! It’s going to be great.
XO Debra
Acknowledgments
Family:
T, J, and D: Everyday is a dream because you are in it. You’ve made my heart strong enough to hold all the love I have for you inside it. And that’s REALLY strong because it’s all the love in the universe.
Mom and Dad, thank you for supporting the imagination of little girl so long ago. We all know I was super extra with the bows on my toes and giant snow animals in the backyard.
Pam and Jim: Thanks for showing the world how happily ever after is done.
Mom and Dad D: Sorry that I bring so many animals to your house all the time. I love you.
Uncle Ted and Aunt Jo: You never stop supporting me. From Soccer games to books. Love you both.
Helena: Here’s another book that you midwifed into existence. Sorry that I squeeze your hand too hard and sometimes fart when we are in closed spaces.
Tijan: I treasure our talks about everything and nothing. You are such a wonderful friend.
E: For checking on each other!
Katherine: THE BOOK! I am waiting for it. You know what I’m talking about.
Jenn Watson: I still waffle you.
Tina Reber: Your man is in here too and told me to say hi!
Business Beauties:
Kimberly Brower, you are a rock star. Thank heavens for you, Aimee, and Jess.
Aimee: You are a wonder and such a beautiful gift. Thank you so much for everything!
CP Smith, my incredible formatting genius.
Paige Smith for kick ass edits.
Gitte and Jenny from Totally Booked.
My Swat Team, Debra’s Daredevils and the Beta team! I’ve got access to the most amazing crew
in the world. Thank you!
Christina Santos
Amanda Marie
Ashley Scales
Angelica Maria Quintero
Michele Macleod
Elaine Turner
Sarah Piechuta
Lauren Lascola-Lesczynski
Jennie Gordon Coon
Heather Brown
Marty Keely
Sara Woelbing
Brook Nowinski
Book Bre
Storm Winchester
Brandi Zelenka
Chris Van Solkema
Elizabeth Clinton
Tiffany Johnson
Veronica Ashley
Danielle Holder
DC Reads
Friends I love and lean on:
Tara Sivec
Meghan Quinn
Nina Bocci
Liv Morris
Ruth Clampett
Daisy Prescott
SM Lumetta
And so many more I know I am forgetting.