Page 4 of Cruel Devil
He laughs, shaking his head. “Call it whatever you want but your jealousy is showing, man. Might want to get that in check.”
I grind my teeth together, flipping off his retreating back. Rome doesn't know what he's talking about. Baby Henderson isn’t anything special. A piece of ass and soon to be jailbait. Not someone I'd be jealous over.
Speaking of Hendersons, Aaron walks up beside me and hands me a Coke. I accept the drink, knowing the fucker is just being nice, and against my better judgement I ask, “You cool with older guys all over your baby sister?” I feign indifference and take a drink of the soda waiting to see how he reacts. It has nothing to do with wondering if the age difference between her and I would matter to him and everything to do with making sure he knows what's going on with Kasey right now.
As expected, Aaron follows my gaze. His eyes narrow and he mutters a curse. “Shit. I’ll have to drag her away from a fucking harem and I’ll have to deal with her bitching about it the entire way home today.”
I force a laugh. “She’s a handful.”
He shakes his head. “That’s putting it mildly. I don’t know what her deal is, man. Lately, it’s like she’s looking for trouble.” He sighs. “I better go deal with that.”
I thrust a hand out to stop him. “Let me.” I don't know why I made the suggestion but I don't try to walk it back once it's out there.
His dark blond brows pull together. "You sure, man?"
I nod. "Yeah. Let her be pissed at me. Then on the way home when she's bitching you can pretend to agree with what an asshole I am."
He smiles and slaps me on the back. "Thanks, man. I owe you one.” I nod like it’s no big deal. Just helping the guy out. I don’t have a single selfish reason for making the suggestion.
Allie calls his name and Aaron turns. “Go,” I tell him. “I’ll get it handled.”
He hesitates for a moment. “You sure, man? Kasey can be—“
I cut him off. “Bro, I’ve got it. Go see what Allie wants.” He walks away, heading toward Roman and Allie on the other side of the yard, and without missing a beat, I head straight toward my quarry. She's got herself surrounded by some of Allie's friends from back home. I met the guys earlier, Gabe, Felix, and Julio. They seem nice enough, but that doesn't mean any of them should be talking to her right now.
When I'm within hearing distance I slow my steps, casually walking closer to the group. Gabe, who's on her right, is laying it on thick. He's smiling at her like she's all that he sees. Not happening, asshole.
As soon as I'm behind her, I pull her back into my chest and wrap my arms around her, pinning her in place with her back to my front. I ignore the way she feels pressed up against me and focus on the miscreants in front of me.
Kasey doesn't bother trying to twist to see who's grabbed her. My dark arms banded around her is telling enough. I'm the only black guy here. She doesn't have to see my face to know it's me, and being the smart girl she is, she doesn’t bother putting up a fight to get away.
"You know Baby Henderson is jailbait, right?" I direct the question first to Gabe before making eye contact with the other two. Kasey stiffens in my arms and a beautiful shade of pink creeps up her neck.
"For you, maybe," Gabe retorts with a shrug.
The corner of Julio's mouth lifts into a smirk like he's in on some secret, but he doesn't say anything. He takes a drink of his soda and rocks back on his heels, watching things play out. Felix, on the other hand, gives a hard shake of his head. "Ain't no one trying to tap that," he says. "We're all friends. Just having a conversation. No one's crossing any lines."
Gabe snorts. "Speak for yourself," he tells him, and then looks Kasey right in the eyes. "I have no problem saying I am very much interested." He licks his lips and gives her a heated look that makes me want to punch the fucker in the face. "Wanna blow this place? Go have some fun?"
I can't see her expression, but if I had to guess she's probably eating this shit up, if only to irritate me more. "Why not?”
"She's fourteen," I grind out.
"I'm seventeen. Age is just a number, man.” He shrugs.
Kasey squirms in my arms in an attempt to get away, but I shift her around, putting her firmly behind me before stepping up and getting in Gabe's face. "She's too young for you, so knock that shit off. No guy here is going to let you put the moves on Henderson’s little sister."
Despite having to look up to meet my stare, Gabe doesn't back down. “Did it sound like I was asking for permission?”
Before I do anything that will land me on Allie's shit list, like beating her friend to a pulp, I turn on my heel and grab Kasey by the arm, pulling her with me as I go.
"Dominique, let go of me," she complains, but her steps follow. A glance over my shoulder shows Julio with a hand against Gabe's chest while he mutters something in his ear. Whatever it is, it keeps him in place and that's good enough for me.
I drag Kasey around the side of the house where no one can see us and press her up against the brick exterior, my arms caging her in on either side and offering her zero chance of escape.
Does she look worried? Not one fucking bit. The girl looks pissed and ready to raise hell.
“What is your problem! You had no right—” she snarls, shoving against my chest, but it's like a kitten swatting at a bull. I barely feel it. "You can't manhandle me like that. You are not my keeper. And you do not get to dictate who I hang out with."
