For the first time in five laps, I breathe again. I start for her car before she can make her way out. When she does get out with a big smile on her face, I tower over her and glare.
“What the hell was that?” I demand.
Her smile falls and she looks up at me in confusion. “What are you talking about? I won.”
“Yeah, while driving like a reckless maniac.”
She rolls her eyes at me. “Come on, Pit. Did you watch the race? I had to drive that way. They were. If I would have driven like a pussy, I would have lost.”
“Oh, I watched all right. We’re not doing this if you’re going to drive like that,” I bark and turn to head back to the rest of our team.
Ox and Roman have stepped in as our backups. I don’t trust anyone else with my life as much as I do these two. However, from the stupid grins on their faces, I have to question why I didn’t find someone else.
“Don’t say shit,” I mumble as I walk past them both.
I need a drink. I intend to get one too, but first, I need to straighten something out. I walk over to the prick who was the most aggressive with Skittles on the track, causing her to have to outmaneuver him with that fucked-up driving.
“I want to see you drive like that with me,” I seethe. “I suggest you think real hard about how you come at her the next time she’s out there. I don’t give warnings and never make a threat, so take this as a courtesy on the promise to smash in your fucking skull if you ever pull that shit with her again.”
“Do we have a problem here?” Another guy comes over to say.
I look over like he smells like death. “Oh, I’m a problem I suggest you don’t try to solve unless you’re ready for that fail.”
I’m about to go from five to one hundred until I feel her hand on my chest. I look down and everything else fades away. The pleading look in her eyes makes me reel it in.
She needs to be here.
After giving myself the reminder, I point to the asshole driver, saying a whole lot without words. I walk off needing to get to my bar where all the booze is.
Skittles
That race today was insane. I understand why Pit was so upset. I drove hard and did what I had to do to win. Winning is all that matters.
My phone rings, pulling me from my thoughts. I roll onto my side and pick it up off the nightstand. I groan when I see it’s Kelex, but I don’t ignore the call.
“Hey,” I answer.
“Have you lost your mind? I’m getting on a plane and heading back now,” he barks into the phone.
“What are you talking about?”
He makes a disgusted sound. “Don’t play with me. I talked to Rhet. Why have you gotten involved in that race club? What the hell is Pit thinking allowing you to do this shit?”
“First of all, you and Pit are not my father. I don’t have to answer to either of you.”
“You’re right, we’re not your father, we’re your friends. You come to us when you need something. What is this about? You don’t need the money, we do plenty of crazy shit for you to get that high from, so what is this about?”
I sigh. Tears coming to my eyes. I want to tell him, but if I do, he and Pit will try to take care of it. After the way Pit lost his mind today over that guy trying to bully me on the track, I can only imagine how he will react to what’s really going on with me.
“I’m handling a problem. It’s my problem. I need it to stay that way,” I reply.
“Wow, really?”
Anger raises inside of me. “Yes, really. Are you ready to tell me what’s going on with you? You’ve been acting strange for the last two months.”
The line is silent. Kelex has always guarded a part of himself. I understand why, but something has been off lately. Something he’s not telling even me about.
“Your safety is different. I can’t lose you too.” With those words choked out, he hangs up.
I collapse onto my back and stare up at the ceiling. It feels like I have the weight of the world on my chest. Again, for the millionth time, I run all of my options through my head trying to find another way.
I burst into tears of frustration. There’s no other way that doesn’t harm someone or cause another problem. I scream into the quiet of my bedroom.
“Fuck.”
Chapter 9
Moth to a Flame
Pit
* * *
“I was told to come see you,” this big motherfucker says.
What didn’t my parents feed me? This Asian dude has to be seven feet tall. He’s taller than Ox.
I’m going to have to make taller doorways if this keeps up. I look him over. He’s my last and only appointment tonight.
He’s one of my don’t ask, don’t tells. He says his name is Maverick, but I know that’s bullshit. There’s something mysterious and sinister about him. Yet I don’t get a vibe like I can’t trust him.
“What kind of work are you looking for?”
He shrugs. “I have some experience with ink.”
I lift a brow. “Tats?”
He nods.
I don’t see any ink on his exposed arms, hands, or neck. Most of the artists I know are covered. Hell, Kelex has more ink than this dude.
“You any good? My boy has a few shops, but I’m not recommending some amateur. He only hires the best. I need some proof.”
He gives another nod and pulls out his phone. After some tipping and scrolling, he turns it and hands it over. I’m impressed.
“Keep swiping, you’ll see a few more.”
I get through the three next and I don’t need more convincing. I think Deacon will be extremely happy with the rare gem I’m about to hand him. I nod and give the phone back.
“I’ll get you the info. This is family. Don’t fuck it up. You only get one shot,” I say.
“Thanks.”
“Don’t thank me until we get you what you need. You have any problems they want you to come to me. They’re done,” I say.
From the change in his demeanor, I know he catches the cryptic message I’m throwing. With a hard look, he nods and stands. Again, I note he’s hiding something, but it’s not my business. Deacon has an eye for trouble, he’ll throw this guy out on his ass if he’s not on the up-and-up like I was told he is.
Maverick turns to leave at the same time Leo and Roman enter the room. Leo stares up at Maverick with wide eyes. Rome has to cup the back of Leo’s neck to push him toward my round table. This is my throne where all the deals are made.
You sit here, you either want something or you need something. I find most want more than need. However, tonight, my family will fill this room and these seats.
I shake my head at Leo. “Let’s get my little brother a drink,” I call over to Ox behind the private bar in the room.
Leo beams. It’s funny. Twenty-five and I still see the little boy in him. He doesn’t know half of the shit that goes on around here. I like it that way.
It doesn’t take long before we all have drinks in hand as we start with the banter. I thought it would distract me from my thoughts until the subject turns to the one thing I’m trying not to think about. I sit tight lipped, trying not to show they’re getting to me.
“Come on, Bro,” Ox laughs out. “If she was any of these other chicks chasing you around here, you wouldn’t have reacted the same way.”
I frown at him and flip him and Rome’s grinning ass the finger. They’ve been sitting at the bar busting my balls about yesterday’s race for the last fifteen minutes. I’ll admit, yesterday, when I finally stopped seeing red, I knew I might have overreacted. Skittles drove the same way I would have.
Doesn’t mean I’m not still pissed they seemed to make her a target out there. My gut tells me I’m not going to like this anymore than I do now by the end of all ten races. I knock back my tequila.
“I wish I could have been there. Skittles can drive. She must have been awesome,” Leo says.
I roll my eyes at my brother. He’s had a cru
sh on Skittles since the first time he met her. She babies his ass and spoils him like he’s her own little brother. She’s the same way with Scarlett.
“I don’t treat her any different from anyone else,” I grunt.
“I don’t know about that,” Leo says. He throws his hands up when I glare at him. “Listen, I’m just saying. I’ve seen you lose it over her. Remember that one time you put that guy on his back? You didn’t even stop to find out what happened.”
“Which time?” Ox says, causing him and Rome to burst into laughter.
I ignore them all as my chest tightens. Okay, they may have a point. When it comes to Mayven, I don’t think first. However, I’m not the only one. Any one of my boys would drag your ass for her. Deacon, Luke, Tak, Kelex… I’m not alone in this.
“We’re all protective of her,” I mutter.
“Nah, it’s not the same,” Leo says with a little grin.
I toss a napkin at him. “Shouldn’t you be drinking? We’re here to celebrate your little punk ass.”
There’s no real heat to my words. I’m still in awe of this kid. It’s Scarlett’s wild ass I’m going to have to have a talk with. For twins they are the complete opposite of each other.
Scarlett’s as smart as Leo, but she’s not as focused or driven. She’s still having a good time with life. Responsibility is lost on her.
“I’m waiting on the rest of the party,” my brother says.
I grunt and pour another glass for myself. Yup, I asked for the bottle. I plan to try and chase these thoughts to the back of my mind. Not that these jerks are helping.
Skittles has been on my mind since I left her yesterday. I still have so many questions. However, one that keeps popping up unbidden is if she and Kelex have ever slept together. For years, Deacon and I have gone back and forth on this.
He keeps telling me I’m missing the big picture. He actually laughs at my ass every time we get on the topic. Twelve years and I still don’t get why it’s so funny to him.
In the last week and a half, my brain hasn’t given two fucks whether they’ve slept together or not. I can’t stop imagining her straddling my lap with her head thrown back and me deep inside her.
The image is so clear and vivid. Her brown skin on display as I hold on to her ass and drive into her. I frown and toss back my drink.
This is madness.
Of course, the door opens and in walks the woman who’s been haunting my thoughts. Skittles may be short, but it’s the way she carries it that does it. She’s stacked in all the right places.
The gray wide-legged pants she has on make her look taller as the wide yellow belt at her waist draws my eyes to the flare of her hips and the black sheer top accents her full breasts that complement her small curvy frame. Tonight, her hair is gray at the roots and flows into her signature rainbow. It falls around her shoulders and sweeps across her face to the right—always covering that scar. It’s like she’s about to do a concert or photo shoot.
Never a hair out of place.
I have to remind my limbs not to get up and carry me to her, so I can claim her perfect mouth. While we have an agreement, I haven’t felt right calling her on it. Something about the look in her eyes yesterday when she kept me from beating that dude’s ass, it sent my thoughts back to the puzzle I’m trying to figure out.
There’s something I’m missing, and I don’t miss shit. I shake the thought off. She walks up behind Leo, drops a huge bag at her feet, and cups his upturned face.
“I’m so freaking proud of you,” she sings as she squeezes his cheeks and rocks back and forth. “My Dr. Leo Pitman. You hear that? You go, baby.”
“Hey, Skittles.”
She lifts the bag and places it on the table. “For my Leo,” she sings. “Open it.”
Leo rushes to pull the blue, gray, and yellow tissue paper out of the bag. The first item he takes out are the headphones he’s been talking about wanting so he can tune everyone out to study. They were sold out when I tried to get them.
Leave it to Skittles to get her hands on them. Next, he pulls out something yellow and gray and a box tumbles out. The fabric in his hands is a leather racing jacket, in his favorite colors.
“This is so cool,” he says as he bends to pick up the box. “Man, Skittles this is sick.”
She affectionately ruffles his hair. “Open the box.”
Leo beams up at her as he lays the jacket across his lap and opens the box. His face turns red and glows with excitement. When he lifts the key from the box I groan. I should have known she would.
“A car?” Leo gasps. “Like this goes to a car?”
“No, a bike. A R 1250 RS BMW to be exact.”
My brother leaps from the chair and lifts her off her feet into a bear hug. I know I’ve lost my mind when I get jealous the moment she kisses his cheek. I look away toward the screens of the club. I see nothing as I do. I can’t focus.
It’s probably why I stand when she rounds the table that anchors the center of the room and stops at my seat. I pinch her chin between my fingertips and tilt her head back. God, this woman is so beautiful. I’ve seen her without all the makeup and she’s still perfection.
However, I love when she makes it so she looks like a doll. The glow on the tip of her nose, the lashes, the glossy lips, it all draws me in. I’m just about to lower my head to take her lips when the door opens again and the crew walks in breaking the moment.
They’ve all come out for my baby brother. I respect that. Even Luke walks through the door.
We still haven’t been able to talk him into moving back to Vander. Not many of us go out to Bridge Lake these days, but we’ve tried to get Luke to at least come to Vander City to be closer to the crew. It’s not lost on me that Kelex and Rhet are here. The smile on my little brother’s face says it all.
“Leo,” Tak croons.
“Dr. Leo,” Deacon corrects.
Luke pulls Leo into a headlock and whispers something to him that makes him crack up. Rhet and Kelex of course, drop gifts in front of him.
I nod to myself and clear my throat, taking a step back from Skittles. It’s when Kelex stops behind her and folds his arms over his chest, I come back to my senses and walk off. I need a smoke.
But you won’t because she hates it and you’re finally kicking the habit. For her.
I growl as I push out of the room and head outside for some fresh air. I need to pull my shit together fast. What the hell am I doing?
Skittles
* * *
My heart is about to race out of my chest. I was sure he was going to kiss me. My belly is so tight with anticipation it hurts.
I’m not even sure what made me walk over to him. It was like being drawn in by a magnet. One minute I was talking to Leo, the next I needed to round the table to Pit.
I blink and furrow my brows as he turns and walks off. I turn to follow after him and run right into Kelex’s hard body. I lift my gaze to find angry gray eyes staring at me. It’s funny, when he’s pissed, they’re always gray.
I sigh and place my hands on my hips as I drop the right one. “Are we going to do this here? Tonight, of all nights.”
“Ven, don’t go there with me. You knew we weren’t done,” he snaps. “I’m going to get in his ass too.”
He jerks his thumb over his shoulder in the direction Pit disappeared. I groan. The last thing I need is for him to say something that will make Pit shut this all down.
“Josh. Remember when I found out what you were up to after you got cut off?”
Kelex nods.
“Well, as pissed as you were at your family, you didn’t want it to get back to them or to harm your family’s name. I’m sort of in the same position and someone I care about needs me to come through for them. That’s all I’m going to say.”
“This someone must be pretty damn important,” he grumbles.
“It’s Shawna. So yeah. Pretty damn important.”
Although Kelex has never met Shawna because the two
can never stay still long enough to be around at the same time, he knows how important she is to me. Kelex knows all the details of our kidnapping and how my little cousin is my world, and I would die before letting her get hurt, even back then.
Tears build. The one time I didn’t drive fast enough. She was hurt and I didn’t get there fast enough. I have to get this done.
Kelex pulls me into a hug. “Baby girl, you’re only going to be able to hide this for so long before we all lose our shit. You’re never like this. Whatever you need, we’re here, you just have to ask.”
“I asked. I asked the one person who can help me. Pit is helping in the only way any of you can. I’m doing the best I can, Josh, I really am,” I sob.
I’m falling apart. With his arms around me, I don’t think I’m going to be able to rein it back in. The weight of the situation rocks me to my core.
“Come on, let’s get you cleaned up,” Kelex whispers.
He leads me to the private bathroom Pit has in this room. I sag into his side because I’m tired. The anxiety and situation are all about to overtake me.
Chapter 10
Little Spiders
Skittles
* * *
I don’t know what happened at Leo’s party. Kelex helped me get myself under control before he left to rejoin the guys, giving me a chance to finish up and retouch my makeup.
Once I stepped back out, Pit was ice cold toward me. While in the past we’ve avoided each other, he’s never been so detached with me. And it’s been that way ever since and that was almost a week ago.
Here we are in New York for the next race tomorrow. I thought we’d go out and get something to eat or something, but he looked me over like I stepped in dog poop and walked away without a word when I asked.
“Asshole,” I mutter to myself for the hundredth time.
I sit on the edge of the hotel bed, rubbing lotion into my skin as I obsess over what I’ve done to this man for him to treat me like this. We flew on his jet, which I offered to cover, and he grunted at me and put his headphones on for the entire flight. Maybe I’m just exhausted from all of this drama.
Pit: The A**hole Club Series Page 7