Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“That’s why I didn’t tell you goodbye,” he finally says in a sad whisper. “Because I couldn’t do it. I would have fucked you until you begged to stay.”
He rips away from me, and a chill instantly settles into my core when his touch is gone. I look back just as he jerks open the door to the billiard room and walks out into the party, disappearing from sight.
Slowly and shakily, I climb off the pool table, running hand through my wild hair as I try to process what he said.
Axle walks back in with a grim expression, and I don’t protest when he starts guiding me out. Again, I’m given the wide-berth treatment as people go out of their way to give me plenty of room to leave.
“I have to stop by Drake’s on the way back to relieve Dusty from guard duty,” Axle tells me. “Dash is going to pick you up from there.”
“Gee, you guys are just having to guard everyone.”
He doesn’t say anything, and I walk with him to his bike. I notice this time all the ones in the garage are avoiding eye contact with me instead of looking pissed.
“What’s with everyone?”
Axle grunts while settling onto his bike in front of me. “Let’s just say Drex sent a message no one will forget anytime soon.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means Jessie the fuckhead got what was coming to him, and everyone knows why. You’re officially untouchable.”
Confused, I start to ask questions, but Drex’s eyes find mine as he steps into the garage with a fresh beer. His jaw is tense as he studies us on the bike, and I start to get off and go back to him, when Axle revs the beast and walks the bike backwards.
Instead of being rejected again, I just watch him until Axle gets us turned around. This time when I leave to go home, it feels like I’m leaving home.
Chapter 13
EVE
A framed picture off to the side has had me confused for ten minutes while we wait on Dash to arrive. It’s a daisy with pretty pink tinted petals and purple blends. It’d be beautiful, if not for the fact “Cocksucker” is in bold print and written over the daisy, turning the daisy into nothing but a background.
“What is this about?” I ask, looking over at Drake as Axle toys with a knife.
Both of them exchange a look, and Axle’s lips twitch while Drake grins openly.
“It’s a reminder not to piss off the guy who is permanently inking your body,” Drake says with a shrug, still smiling like a kid with a prize.
Axle snorts while rolling his eyes, and resumes messing with his knife.
“I used to draw like this,” I tell him, toying with another framed picture of a dragon.
“Used to?” he muses.
“Yeah. I love art. I just couldn’t find a job that went with it.”
“Still looking for one? It’d be fucking nice to have someone help me design. I could use another artist to free up my time just for the ink. Not everyone gives me something I want to design.”
I turn toward him, and notice the way Axle is glaring at him like Drake is an idiot.
“Really?” I ask, already feeling a tinge of excitement.
“Definitely. It gets old trying to design all the girly shit for my female clients. They like a more feminine touch. Not saying the job is yours just yet. I’d need to see some sketches, but if they’re good, hell yes. They’d love it, and I’d sure as fuck enjoy having the additional ink time.”
Axle shakes his head. “She can’t, Drake.”
I glare at him, as does Drake.
“Just for that, I don’t care if your drawing is shit. The job is yours,” Drake says to me while keeping his eyes on Axle.
Axle curses while looking back and forth between us.
“He’ll fucking kill you and you know it.”
My heartbeat kicks up—which is a very weird thing to make it kick up.
“He’ll get over it,” Drake says, grinning again.
Axle shakes his head, then stands and walks toward the door. “I’m not going to be the one to fucking tell him. That’s for damn sure.”
Drake grins at me. “This should get interesting.”
I have no idea what that means, but the thought of getting to draw again is definitely appealing. Especially if I can make money doing it.
“When can I start?” I ask Drake.
“How good are you at butterflies with cherry wings?”
Chapter 14
DREX
“Jessie is still in a coma, in case you’re concerned,” Pop tells me, looking at me like he’d enjoy taking a swing.
I wish he fucking would. I’d love to quit pretending I still give a flying fuck about him. I’d also love to hit something.
I should hit Axle for fucking bringing her here a week ago. I almost fucked her and carried her to my room. I almost pulled her right back in. And I wouldn’t have given her up a second time.