Page 111 of Malice and Surrender
“Because you still owe me,” I said, eyes trained on the dark windows.
“For what?”
I turned my head to look at Roach. “You know for what.”
He shook his head and lit up a smoke. “You’re a prick. I paid that debt back a hundred times by now.”
“Keep dreaming,” I mumbled.
Hopping out of the truck, I jogged up the few steps and tried the door, but I wasn’t surprised to find it locked. Now that I knew the locks in her home, I made quick work of it and stepped inside. Not much had changed. The coffee table was gone, but it hadn’t been replaced. The closet door had a dent, and I could still feel her shoulders as I slammed her up against it. Running my fingers over the little mark, I felt a flicker of guilt.
Taking a deep breath, I walked away from the door and took the stairs two at a time. The room had been tidied just like downstairs. The bed was made and not slept in, and the door to the bathroom had been removed. Other than that, there was no sign of Raine or that she’d been here since that night.
My hand balled into a fist. There was a ninety-nine-point-nine percent chance that I knew exactly where she was, and I should stay away. I should head back to my house and let this be a fucking sign, but before I made it out the front door, I knew that wouldn’t happen.
“Head to Eclipse. I’ll give you directions from there,” I barked out.
“Are we killing someone? I just need to know what we’re getting into.” Roach turned the truck around and pulled off the residential street and onto the main road that led to the beach. The place Raine worked was closed tonight, but as we got close, my eyes scanned the parking lot for the plain black sedan. Not seeing it only made the rage brewing in my gut rise to dangerous levels.
“That way,” I said, pointing. The closer we got to the house I’d followed Raine to, the harder I ground my teeth. “Pull over here,” I growled out. Roach did as I asked, and I stared at the three-story home. The lights were on, but I couldn’t see anyone moving around inside, and that made me anxious and enraged.
When I grabbed the door handle, Roach gripped my biceps. “As your friend, you need to calm the fuck down before you go over there.”
I glared at his hand, but he held firm. “I fucking mean it. This is not a job, and Raine and whoever she’s in there with haven’t done shit to anyone or anything to do with the club or you. Other than pissing you off by proximity to something you want. You’ve never been one to kill casually, but I know that look on your face, and you’re close to murderous. Take a deep fucking breath, man. I mean it.”
He let go of my arm, and I knew he was right. Every logical part of my being told me I should tell Roach to drive away, but I opened the door and got out. I wasn’t letting Raine go without a fight.
Raine
“I still can’t believe you got food first,” Avro complained as he poured his once-upon-a-time milkshake into a glass. It looked like yellow milk, and I covered my mouth not to gag.
“You ordered more, and it will be here soon. What’s the big deal?” Jace argued and earned an ‘are you fucking kidding me?’ glare.
I snickered as I watched the two of them together. It was easy to tell that they’d known one another for years. They were the embodiment of an old married couple, and it was hard to keep the smile off my face. Jace was still a total asshole, but we now had this weird connection, or maybe it was more of an understanding between us. It was a start. He certainly could make my blood race and made me squirm with just a look.
“And then you had hot sex without me in a cemetery. You know that’s on my bucket list.” Avro continued to sulk, but it seemed directed toward his now cold and melted food.
“Oh, my god. Do you want to go right now? I can fuck you in a cemetery on a tomb of your choice,” Jace muttered, and rolled his eyes.
I couldn’t hold back any longer and burst out laughing. Avro shot a glare my way.
“Sorry.” I covered my mouth but bit my finger to avoid making noise.
“I thought you wanted Peaches and me to get closer,” Jace asked.
He pulled a small dish of grapes from the refrigerator and popped one into his mouth. His eyes found mine, and the look he gave me made me warm all over as they danced with mischief that bordered on something darker. We hadn’t been back very long, and the memories of what we’d done and the feel of his body were still very fresh in my mind. I’d officially decided I might be addicted to his piercings, because I could still feel them on my tongue and in other places.
“It is what I want.” Avro leaned against the counter. “I’m just hangry. Ignore me.”
“I need to hit the head. I’ll be back.” Jace left the kitchen, and I took the opportunity to go to Avro. He was quick to pull me close to his body.
“You sure you’re okay with Jace and me…you know?”
Avro smiled widely. “Totally.” He leaned in close to my ear. “I just love giving Jace a hard time. He gets extra spicy when he’s riled up,” he whispered, making me laugh. The doorbell rang, and Avro smiled even wider. “About time. I’m starved.”
I was going to mention that the rest of the food was fine, and it was just a milkshake, but I figured that would set him off on another rant. I picked up the glass of liquid milkshake to try a sip as Avro opened the door. I looked up when Avro asked who the person at the door was, and the smile fell from my face.
“Fuck,” Avro yelled as Kai punched him square in the face.
