“What’s this?” I say, taking the drink from his hand.
“One of those frappe things you like.”
I hold the straw and take a sip. It’s my favorite, the mocha salted caramel crunch. I didn’t know he knew this is my favorite.
For a moment, I’m a bit taken aback. This is a really sweet gesture. I’ve been trying not to take too much stock in the little things he’s been doing over the last week.
I grin at him. “I think you like me,” I say and wiggle my brows.
He slaps my ass. “What’s not to like?” He winks at me and leans in for a real kiss this time.
When he pulls away, I’m in a daze. Okay, that wasn’t what I was expecting from his smart mouth. I shove the straw between my lips because it’s all I can do to keep from saying something stupid.
Pit puts his shades on and walks over to Roman to talk to him. I can’t help ogling his tight ass. It looks great in his jumpsuit.
Their conversation is pretty brief, and Pit is right back at my side. He wraps my head in the crook of his arm and brings my forehead to his lips. I close my eyes and inhale.
I snuggle into his side and he drops his arm around my waist. I have to get him some more of that cologne for his birthday. He smells so good. I turn my face up and search his face.
He’s looking forward, giving me a view of his profile. When he turns to look at me, a smile comes to his lips. He’s such a handsome man.
“What are you looking at, half pint?” he murmurs.
“I told you to stop calling me that. I was going to offer you a sip, but you can go thirsty now.”
He snatches the cup from me and sucks down the rest right in my face. “You were saying?”
I narrow my eyes. “I hope there was a ton of backwash in there,” I grumble.
He dips his head next to my ear. “Do I seem like I care about your backwash? I spent two hours eating your pussy last night. Not to mention, I kissed your pretty little ass with my nut still in your mouth.”
“You’re nasty.” I wrinkle my nose at him.
He shrugs and looks forward again. “And I’m sure you’re wet. I’ll take care of that as soon as we win this race.” I don’t know why I’m shocked, but I stare up at him with my mouth open. He turns from looking out at the track. “Tell me you’re not.”
“I’m—”
“If it isn’t my favorite couple,” Marquis croons, cutting me off.”
“Yo,” Pit says and nods.
“Your last race was very entertaining. Were you able to get that engine fixed? You’ll need both cars this morning,” Marquis says.
“There isn’t an engine I can’t fix,” I say.
“Beautiful and smart. You are a lucky man, Pit.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
Marquis laughs. “Actually, I was hoping you could do that for me. Come take a quick walk with me before the start of the race.”
I eye Marquis warily. My heart is in my throat. What if he’s figured out that Danny sent me?
I school my features, so I don’t give anything away. Pit nods at Marquis before turning to kiss my neck. “Go get in the car. If shit looks funny, you take off.”
I stare after them, not wanting to leave Pit behind. I feel like that night all over again. I always regretted not waiting with him for the police to come.
“Skittles, let’s go,” Ox says as he appears at my side. “Pit texted me to get you in the car.”
Pit
* * *
I tuck my phone back in my pocket after texting Ox to get Skittles in the car and make sure she gets out of here safe if this conversation goes south. I’m not sure what Marquis wants, but I want Skittles far away from here if I have to toss this place up. I trust no one.
“I have a problem and I would like your help,” Marquis says.
“I’m listening.”
“Your boss, Mr. Knight.”
I hold up a hand. “Let me stop you right there. I don’t have a boss. He’s an associate.”
He nods, all playfulness gone from his face. “Yes, this I’ve heard. Excuse me for the mistake.”
“Go on.”
“Mr. Knight doesn’t like me much, but I’m a wise man. I’ve been sending him gifts since my presence was made known in Vander. This has kept an understanding between us,” he says.
I grunt and nod. Blake Knight is a lot of things, but he’s not into drugs. It’s why it was so ridiculous that he sat up in jail for them.
“I don’t run drugs in his city, and he gets a sizable payment. It’s worth it to me. Vander City is quiet. Everyone there minds their own business.”
So far, he hasn’t told me anything I don’t already know. Blake was going to pound his head in when he first arrived in Vander. Those little gifts saved his life.
“My last payment was targeted by a team who were participants in this club. You see, I’m a lot like you. I know everything that goes on in my organization.
“This Eddie character showed up with his team, but he didn’t reek of money. Instead, he smelled of desperation and opportunism. I already had my men looking into him. It’s how we were prepared for him and his drivers when they tried to intercept Mr. Knight’s package,” he says.
I lift a brow because he’s finally got my attention. This is something I didn’t know. I fold my arms and look him in the eyes.
“Blake hasn’t mentioned a late or missing payment.”
“Ah, as I’ve said I’m a wise man. It was not an option for my payment not to make it. My men, however, did get overzealous. Eddie and his drivers were killed before I got answers about the person financing their operation,” he replies.
“And this is where I come in, I’m guessing.”
“Yes, I want to know who was behind this. When you brought your team in, for a moment, I thought it had been coming from you—”
“You can get the fuck out my face with that.”
He lifts a hand. “I know. You are like a son to Mr. Knight, and you have the money to play these games. You, my friend, fit the profile for these races. You and your team check out. Your beauty is a thrill seeker. Others have vouched for her.”
I snort. Check your knowledge of your organization, motherfucker.
Instead of saying the words aloud. I nod. Until I find out if it’s possible to get Shawna back without going through these races and making the final drop, I’ll be holding what I know to myself.
“When you’ve been in this business long enough you become paranoid. Maybe I’m wrong. I need you to confirm my suspicions by the last race. I’m too close to my problem. And as you said. You don’t report to Mr. Knight, so you are the perfect person to help with my problem. I can’t have your associate believing I’ve lost control of my business,” he says.
“I’ll see what I can find.”
He claps his hands together. “Wonderful. Now, let’s have us a race. I always enjoy this one. The relay races are very entertaining.”
Hence the two cars. Okay. This one is in the bag.
Chapter 17
Party
Skittles
* * *
My belly is tight. I have no idea how I’m supposed to figure out who everyone is in this room. Although this party is much more intimate than the first one, I can’t just walk up and ask for names.
“Relax,” Pit says and places a hand on the back of my neck in a possessive gesture.
It works to both calm and confuse me. In the week since Dayton, I’ve notice he’s gotten more and more possessive and attentive. I don’t want this distraction to end, so I’ve been reluctant to ask him what exactly we are doing.
“Tell me something that will get my mind off of what I need to do before I barf,” I murmur.
“We’re going to Tak’s concert tomorrow after dinner. You should wear comfortable shoes. Remember what happened last time you were trying to be all cute,” he says teasingly.
His words shock me, causing my mouth-to-brain filter to jam. “Are
we dating or something?” I blurt out.
I look up at him and search his gaze. His brows are knitted. Before I can get a good read, he shuts down.
“I’ve either been in your bed or you’ve been in mine for the last two weeks. You figure it out,” he says sharply, and then walks away.
“Pit, Pit, Will,” I call after him.
“Here’s your list,” Roman says as he appears before me.
I look at the paper he holds out with confusion, then look back up at him. I take it and open it to find a bunch of names. Quickly, I fold it and shove it in my strapless bra.
“Thank you so much.”
“What’s up with Pit?”
I frown. “I don’t know. I… I may have misunderstood something.”
Rome shrugs. “I need a drink. You shouldn’t be here alone. Come on.”
I lick my lips and nod. I want to go after Pit, but I’m afraid of what will be said. I don’t think I’m ready for that conversation.
Pit
* * *
I don’t know why I’m so angry. I bought the tickets to Tak’s concert because I know how much Skittles loves his music. It’s also been a few weeks since I’ve checked on the kid.
Tak doesn’t know it, but I tend to keep an eye on him when I can. Skittles is also very protective of him. I thought she’d like the tickets and backstage passes.
And you wanted to do something other than fuck and race. Like a normal couple.
I scoff bitterly. A normal couple. She doesn’t even know we’re dating.
“Why are you sulking?” Ox asks as he walks over to me leaning against a wall off from everyone else.
“Because I’ve never been in a real relationship and at thirty-three, I feel like an asshole because I don’t know how to tell my girlfriend I want to take her out on a date. Wait… I don’t know how to tell her she’s my girlfriend in the first fucking place,” I grunt.
Ox releases a low whistle. “She’s done a number on you. I can’t blame you. Her heart is huge and she’s like this bright light you always want around.”
I look at Ox and narrow my eyes. He just summed up Skittles to a T. That’s all the shit that draws me to her, but there’s more.
I blow out a breath and run my hand through my hair. “I’m crazy about her,” I admit out loud.
“Finally, the truth. You’ve been crazy about her since I’ve known you.”
“Shut the fuck up.”
He chuckles. “Just tell her, bro. Like you said, you’re too old to play around.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Thirty-three, bro. You need to say it.”
I give him the finger. The song that comes on catches my attention. I’ve heard it played at the bar before.
It’s perfect. Natalie Taylor’s “Surrender”. I push off the wall I’ve been leaning against and walk over to where Skittles is standing with Rome. She looks so beautiful tonight.
Her hair is pulled on top of her head in a bun. The roots are black, but the bun is rainbow colored. Her dress is strapless and like her hair starts out black on top and ombré on the bottom with pinks, purples, and yellows.
The slit shows off her thick shapely leg. Her back is bare, taunting me. I reach to run the backs of my fingers down her spine. She looks over her shoulder and gives me a cautious smile.
“Come dance with me,” I say.
She nods and takes the hand I hold out to her. I walk her out to the dance floor and spin her into my arms. When I lock eyes with her, I’m once again at a loss for words. I want to say so much, but so much is on the line.
This is the happiest I’ve been in years. I don’t want things to go back to the way they were. I brush my fingers down her cheek.
With my eyes, I try to tell her this song says all I can’t. She nods and reaches for my face to pull it down to hers. When I kiss her, my soul lights on fire.
“I don’t want to fuck this up,” I breathe against her lips. “I don’t know what doing this right looks like.”
“What happened to being a distraction?”
I search her eyes. “That’s still my job. I just found a few other tasks for my job description.”
She’s silent for a moment as I spin her around the floor. I’m thankful for all those balls as a kid. This is one of those reminders that we come from the same world.
“You’re doing fine. I’m not always thinking clearly. We’ll both have to be patient.”
I smile. “We’re doomed.”
She throws her head back and laughs. It’s the most beautiful sound and twice as gorgeous to see.
Damn. I love her.
Chapter 18
Date Gone Left
Skittles
* * *
Tak groans as we walk into his dressing room. “What are you two doing here?”
I laugh. “Come here, my little songbird,” I tease.
He rolls his eyes but allows me to wrap him in a hug. His silly butt pets the top of my head like I’m a little puppy or something. He moves to hold me out at arm’s length.
“Look at you. You even dressed up for me,” he says.
I look down at my gray Rejected One T-shirt, black leather leggings, and gray ankle booties. I shrug and give him a smile. Pit tugs me out of Tak’s hold and wraps his arms around me.
“You know I’m going to represent,” I say without thinking much of Pit’s possessive move.
“Holy crap,” Tak says with wide eyes. “What’s going on here? The old folks home allows this?”
“Shut up before I kick your ass,” I say through my laughter.
“I’m not scared of you.” He looks over my head at Pit and shudders. “Him…”
“You talk too much, kid,” Pit says.
Tak holds his hands out and makes a come here motion. “Did you bring me snacks? That will shut me up.”
I reach into my bag and pull out a sack with Twinkies in it. The grin on Tak’s face is worth the stop to get these, no matter how much Pit grumbled about it. I love that smile, too bad seeing it is so rare.
“What are you two up to?” Tak asks as he opens a Twinkie and shoves it in his mouth.
Pit shrugs his arms around me. “Her place or mine.”
I bite my lip. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about last night. The song, the words left unsaid, the way Pit made me feel.
When he crawled into my bed later after the party, something was different. I’m not sure my heart can handle another tender night of lovemaking. I’m catching big feelings.
Pit may have said he doesn’t want to fuck this up, but that means he can or might. Worse case, I could fall for him and he decides something in his life is more important than me. I watched my mother love a man who placed her second until her last breath.
I won’t do that.
“That shit is lame,” Tak says. “We should go for beers instead.”
“Yeah, that sounds good,” I say much too quickly.
I regret it as soon as I do. Pit loosens his arms around me. I peek up at him and he has a puzzled look on his face as he looks back at me.
I lift a shoulder. “We can go to Fuck Off. It’s been a while since I’ve taken you guys’ money in poker.”
Pit thins his lips and narrows his eyes as he nods. “Yeah, whatever.”
Pit
* * *
I can’t for the life of me figure out where this date went wrong. Dinner was great. I took her to her favorite Italian place.
I hate crowds, but even I had a good time at the concert. Tak has gotten better with time. I like his new stuff.
Skittles sung every word. Watching her have so much fun was a relief. It was the distraction I promised to provide.
Now, here I am in my bar and my girl is on the dance floor with Tak. I swear, I think his little ass has been cockblocking. I’m not sure what that shit is about.
“Hey, boss,” Kid comes over and says.
I look down at her and grunt. The card room is slow tonight. I noticed
when I peeked my head in to make sure everything was running tight.
“I thought you were taking the night off?”
“I am. Skittles wanted to come have drinks with Tak.”
She nods. “Right, I heard you two were a thing now.”
I frown. My staff knows we’re a thing, but Skittles had to question that. I have to be doing something wrong.
“Let me ask you a question. What would make you turn cold after a guy shows you he wants more with you?”
She stops and gets a distant look in her eyes. “If I’m not ready. Or if I’m not that into him. Then there’s the way he says it. Like, was he clear?”
I purse my lips. While I’ll buy Skittles not being ready with all she has going on, I’m not biting that not into me shit. The way she fell apart in my arms last night, no way.
I have to shake the memory away before I stand here hard as a rock. Was I clear? I’m always direct, but I can’t say I was last night. I run a hand through my hair and blow out a breath.
“Want my advice?”
I come out of my thoughts and look down at Kid. She’s a cute woman. Tomboyish, but really pretty.
“Be you. You always get things done that way. If there’s an issue, handle it.”
A grin spreads across my face. She’s right. I’m overthinking this shit.
I stand and saunter my ass down to the dance floor. The DJ has Ciara’s “Ride” playing. Tak has some chick dancing on him, while Skittles is the back end of a Tak sandwich.
I walk up behind Skittles and grasp her hips. I tug her into me and bend my knees as I start to grind into her ass. She looks over her shoulder ready to throw hands, then smiles when she sees it’s me.
Skittles
* * *
Sweat drops down my face, between my breasts and down my back. I’ve been out on this dance floor for hours trying to avoid my emotions and Pit.
Pit: The A**hole Club Series Page 11