Page 31 of Down & Dirty: Rage

She tried to work her hands free of the cloth binding her wrists, but no matter how much she twisted and pulled, she failed.Damn it!

The van made several turns before slowing down andstopping. All the doors opened and she was pulled out and onto her feet.

The bag was suddenly yanked off her head and she could finally see again.

Only, what she saw was a bunch of beaming faces surrounding her.

She blinked.What the hell? Was this a joke?

Her hands were freed next.

She turned in place to see all the DAMC women circled around her. At least the ones who were single, except for Lily, Piper, and Scarlet, of course. Even an off-duty Laney was there in civilian clothes. That meant Shadow Valley PD had most likely been notified about the illegal parking and fake kidnapping ahead of time so they didn’t come flying in with their party lights on and guns drawn.

Even so…

They had lost their damn minds! Her eyes flicked to the sign above the business’s door.

Shadow Valley Spa and Wellness.

Wait.

Lyric’s gaze dropped to her closest friend and confidant.

“Happy birthday?” Avery sheepishly shrugged.

“Happy birthday!” all the women yelled before breaking out into the stupid birthday song.

Holy crap.Itwasher birthday! She was officially twenty-four-years old.

How could she have forgotten?

Apparently, it was easy when she’d been keeping her nose to the grindstone with a sole goal in mind.

She glared at them. “That wasn’t right! Especially after what happened with Kyra!”

Adrianna’s eyes went wide and she clapped a hand to herforehead. “Holy shit! We didn’t even think of that. We wanted to surprise you!”

“Well, you scared the shit out of me, instead. Oh crap! I told my employees to call my father!”

“Your parents are already aware of this surprise.” Sydney grinned.

“Scheme,” Lyric corrected.

“So were your employees,” Jordyn, Sydney’s twin, added.

She snapped her gaping mouth closed. “That was why my schedule was wiped clean?”

“Well, yeah, this was supposed to be a surprise!” Lexi exclaimed, throwing her arms up.

“Jeez, we thought you’d appreciate a day of pampering,” Indie huffed with her hands on her hips, looking annoyed. Was she annoyed because Lyric was pissed or because she wasn’t thrilled to do any girly “pampering?” She’d rather be G.I. Jane than Barbie.

Lyric glanced around the circle of women, taking in all their expectant faces.

Shit.

“You’ve been busting your ass and you could use a break,” Avery announced.

That she could. But she had also counted on putting today’s tattoo earnings into her savings.