Page 47 of Savage Devil
I catch sight of Jae’s Acura TLX as soon as we get outside. He offered to pick me up today, but I didn’t realize just how much he’d stand out. He’s parked front and center, leaning against the hood with his arms braced behind him. Several girls stop and give him appreciative looks, a few are brave enough to introduce themselves, but he barely glances their way, his eyes focused on me and a genuine smile on his face.
“What is he doing here?” Emilio asks, dark shadows crossing over his face.
“He’s my ride,” I offer with a shrug. For whatever reason, these two decided to immediately dislike one another. Too bad they’re going to need to work past all that, especially if I move in with Jae which is sounding more and more likely. Okay, it’s pretty much a done deal. I’ve thought about his offer all day today and to be honest, it’s not like I have any other option. I don’t know what this is between Emilio and I, but I do know it’s too new for us to shack up together. I texted Monique during class when my teachers were distracted to get an outside opinion and she seems to agree. If I want things to work with Emilio, we need to move slow.
Besides, Jae is my friend. He’s always been there for me and I appreciate him being there for me now. If he wasn’t, I’m not sure what I would to. I’d probably have to drop out. I’d need a job to support myself and Luis, and I’d still be in a bind when it came to childcare.
Emilio’s arm wraps around my waist, his hold possessive and his voice filled with irritation when he says, “Why? Allie or Aaron can take you home on their way to work. Your place is on the way to the Sun Valley Station. Hell, I’ll let coach know right now I’ll be a few minutes late to practice and I can take you. It’s not a big deal.” His fingers clench on my hip and I wince.
If it’s not a big deal, why is he trying to turn it into one? “Jae is my friend. He offered. I accepted. He’s literally been driving me to school all quarter already, so this isn’t new. Don’t make a big deal out of nothing,” I plead.
If anything, his face only darkens. “I don’t know him,” he bites out.
“And he doesn’t know you. Why don’t you two make nice and be friends?” It sure as hell would make my life easier.
He snorts. “Not happening.”
I rub my temples and remind myself that now isn’t the time to get in a fight. Especially over something as stupid as who drives me home. I can already tell that moving in with Jae is going to be a problem. One Emilio is just going to have to deal with.
“I’m going to go home. Go to practice before you’re late.”
Emilio’s nostrils flare, and the next thing I know he jerks me up against him. Luis is still in my arms, but that doesn’t stop him as his mouth presses down on my own. One of his hands tangles in my hair, holding me in place while the other cradles our boy so neither of us drops him. The kiss is angry. His teeth bite at my lower lip until I open for him and then he devours my mouth like I’m his last meal.
It ends almost as quickly as it began, and I’m left standing on shaking legs when he steps away.
“Just a ride?” he questions, as though I’m somehow the untrustworthy one. I force my irritation down and give him nod.
“Yeah, man. I’m just giving her a ride,” Jae says, having moved closer. His words are innocent enough, but there’s the hint of suggestion in his tone and Emilio doesn’t miss it. “You all set?” Jae asks, ignoring the tension that’s building between them. He places his hand on my shoulder and Emilio’s eyes laser in on the touch, his hands now fisted at his sides in a white-knuckled grip. Dominique and Roman both take steps forward, flanking their best friend in an aggressive show of support.
You have got to be kidding me. They can’t possibly think it’s okay to act like this.
“Really? You guys are going to go all machismo now? Don’t you dare even think about starting something. Jae is my friend. What are you thinking?” Roman and Dominique say nothing. Stupid Devils.
Allie tugs Roman’s arm and he reluctantly allows her to pull him away, but not before shooting a warning look at Jae that screams,I can and will hurt you. I roll my eyes before giving Aaron a pleading look and tilting my head in Dominique’s direction just as Kasey joins our group. He gives me a shake of his head. So much for being one of the girls. All right then. No help from him. I try Kasey next and I can tell she’s considering it. Her eyes flick between Dominique and Emilio, her lips pursed together. I catch a spark of mischief in her gaze, but also hesitation.
“Please,” I mouth.
Jae plucks Luis from my arms and habit has me letting him. Immediately, I know it’s a mistake. It’s only confirmed when I hear Emilio bites out, “I don’t want him around my kid,” as he takes a step closer. I shift to intercept him.
“Excuse me?” Where is this possessive asshole crap coming from?
“One of us will get you to and from school. You don’t need him to do that, and I don’t want him around Luis. I don’t know him and I sure as shit don’t trust him with my son.”
I rub my temples with my fingers, a headache already blooming. Jae says nothing for which I’m grateful. His eyes narrow into slits but he does the right thing and keeps his mouth shut, letting me deal with Emilio’s sudden hostility. Luis grabs for his cheeks, smooshing his face and attempting to blow raspberries against his skin. It’d adorable, but only serves to piss off Emilio more.
“Can you buckle him in his car seat?” I ask Jae and he nods, turning to put Luis in the car. Before Emilio can argue I grab his hand and tug him closer to the building away from the growing crowd that is all too interested in what one of the school’s Devils is getting himself into. Sometimes I really hate high school.
“You don’t get to dictate who I spend my time with,” I remind him as soon as we’re a safe distance away. “And you do not get to dictate who I have in Luis’s life.”
“I’m his dad—”
“And I’m his mom. Jae giving me a ride and being in Luis’s life doesn’t change that any more than Dominique or Roman being in his life.”
The muscles of his jaw flex. “You know he has a thing for you.”
I don’t answer because yeah, I do. And admitting that right now isn’t going to do me any favors.
“Jae has been there for me. As a friend,” I rush to add when Emilio opens his mouth. “I’m not going to all of a sudden cut him out of our lives because you say so.”
