Page 105 of Tease
“No, you're not, but youareLorenzo’s doll, and I’ve come to collect. Why’d you leave yourself so vulnerable, Kailey? I would’ve thought my brother would be tied to you at the hip.Some boyfriend he is.”
I yank my hair free from his grip. “You don’t have to do this. Just disappear… Go away, Joey. Go live your life with Sarah, and leave me the hell alone.”
Joey is fidgeting with something in his hand. I look closer and see it’s a syringe filled with blue fluid.
“I can’t let you go. I have to deliver what I’ve collected. It’s either me or you. And I always choose myself.” Right as he lunges for me, Jared bursts through the front door, right on time. Grabbing Joey’s suit jacket, he throws him to the ground. The syringe falls to the floor, and the glass shatters as the blue liquid spreads across the tile.
Jared continues to kick his brother while he’s down. “What the fuck happened to you, man?”
Joey doesn’t howl in pain; instead, he laughs. “Don’t be so shocked. C’mon, man. You’ve always known there was a darkness inside me.”
Jared straddles his brother on the ground, punching him over and over again. “You were my best friend growing up. I loved you. Mom and Dad didn’t raise you to be like this! What happened to you?!” He stops throwing punches when Joey quits attempting to block him.
“I don’t care what happens to you. They can have you. Ineverwant to see you again.” I notice now that Carter and his closest men have walked through the open front door.
“He’s all yours,” Jared says as he looks from his brother to me.
“Grab him. He’s going to join his friends at the graveyard.” Carter’s tone is controlled. He pats Joey’s cheek. “Don’t worry. You’re not the only one who has to pay for what’s been done. Your pal, Lorenzo, is about to suffer the same fate.”
Jared rushes over to me. “Are you okay? I didn’t know how long to wait, or if I should have run to you right when I saw Joeyhit the property line. It took everything in me to stick to the plan. I’m just glad he took the bait.”
I grab his cheeks and kiss him. “You did fine, baby. We’re okay. We’re safe.” I lean my forehead against his.
Carter walks over and grabs Jared’s shoulder. “I won’t forget this. I owe you, and I’m not a man who usually owes anyone.”
Jared gives him a nod and brings me in for a hug.
Carter and I make eye contact, and I mouth to him,Thank you.
He winks and blows me a kiss before following his men, who are carrying out an unconscious Joey.
“I’m sure Carter and his men can figure out where Sarah is.”
“I don’t even know if she’s still alive. She’s so dependent on Joey, I don’t know how she’d survive without him.”
“Well, if she is, they’ll find her.”
“Let’s go house hunting tomorrow! I don’t want to stay here any longer than we need to.”
Jared lifts me into his arms, and my legs wrap around his waist.
“Where are we going?”
“We’re going on a night ride on the bike, but first, let me get your helmet and jacket.”
“I still have the set you gave me…”
“I know you do, Dimples.” Jared seals that statement with a kiss that takes my breath away.
CHAPTER 72
Jared
Kailey’s body is latched on behind me as we ride to The Lavender Room. I knew she’d be shaken up. I mean, how could she not be? My brother tried to kidnap her for a second time.Stupid motherfucker.I’m glad Carter is taking care of him…and Lorenzo. I know whatever he has in mind for them, they both deserve it. The only way I know how to get Kailey out of her head is by taking control. I grab her wrist, the one that’s clinging onto my rib cage for dear life, and tap the inside of her wrist. I can’t see it, but I know her smile’s there.
Kailey lifts her visor. “What are we doing here?”
“It’s a surprise.” I park my bike in an open spot. The parking lot is pretty empty, compared to what it usually would look like.
