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“It’ll get stripped for parts at my place,” he grunted as I looked at him, his eyes flashing with appreciation. I didn’t like him, but he’d had my back tonight. It was the least I could do.

“Make your friend park his Challenger behind it so no one can steal mine,” I suggested, his lips curving into a smile.

“He’ll justlovethat idea.”

“I’ll buy him a new one if it vanishes,” I said sweetly before giving him a serious look. “Just take the damn car. I’ll walk you out.”

Beckett leaned against the wall as she studied us. She was suspicious, which wasn’t good. I needed to get rid of Zavier before she started looking more deeply into our interactions. I’d bet money on her asking Cruz to search cameras, and he’d have no problem showing her evidence of me being involved in Zavier’s shit.

No one stopped us as I grabbed my bat and we walked out of the room. I didn’t speak until we were safely outside. “I’ll come and pick it up later. I’d drive you home, but I have a feeling it would cause too many questions.”

He chuckled, unlocking the car. “As if you lending me the damn thing isn’t causing suspicion. Aren’t you glad I came with you?”

“What do you want? A thank you kiss?” I deadpanned, placing my bat over my shoulder, leaving one arm to hang by my side.

“Yes, actually.” He grinned, leaning down and tapping his cheek. “Some appreciation wouldn’t kill you.”

I rolled my eyes, making it look like I was leaning forward to kiss him, but I swung my fist into his stomach at the last minute, making him wheeze out a breath as I replied, “I’m letting you drive my car home so you don’t have to walk back to the Heights or call Reid to come and save you. He’ll ask questions. If you want a kiss, you’ll have to miraculously grow a pussy.”

“You’re meaner than your sister,” he rasped out as he grimaced. “That’s impressive and terrifying at the same time.”

“You’re lucky I didn’t hit you in the cock with my bat. I doubt you even know how to use it anyway.” I smirked, lifting my bat to press the end against his groin. “Men like you are the reason I get laid so much.”

“You piss a lot of people off, you know?”

“I’m aware. I’m not here to be liked, Lopez. Maybe you should take that advice before you get yourself into trouble and ruin your chance with Raven.”

Shadows danced across his gaze as he sighed, leaning against the driver’s side door to cross his arms once I removed the bat. “Reid made a promise a long time ago to keep her safe. None of us are good for her, and we’d only fight over her. We agreed not to step out of the friendzone.”

“Why would you have to fight over her? Have one of those big, poly relationships,” I teased, but he shook his head.

“Raven doesn’t have any interest in a relationship or sex. We know it would also ruin our friendship with her and we don’t want to risk it.”

“Why would it ruin it? My family is super close, and there’s more than four in that situation.” I smiled, but pain filled his eyes.

“We’re fuck-ups, Riley. I’m the son of a monster, Logan’s a manwhore, and Reid… he won’t break his promise.” He sighed, giving his head a small shake. “We don’t want people talking badly about Raven. She doesn’t deserve that. Besides, she has zero interest in any of us like that. We agreed not to put her in a position where she second-guesses our motives towards her. I appreciate your concern for my dick though.”

“Asshole. If Reid asks about my car, just tell him I had to ditch it and bail so you grabbed it for me,” I said firmly. “He’ll know why.”

“Give me your phone.”

“No.”

“Dammit, Riley.” He bit out, uncrossing his arms. “Take my number. If you get stuck in the Heights, I can come and help you.”

“Don’t think for a second we’re buddies now just because we shared some gunfire tonight,” I warned sharply. “If I find a reason to smash your kneecaps, I will. If I run into trouble, I’ll call my family.”

He stepped towards me, looking down at me as he spoke in a low voice. “We both know that’s bullshit. You’ll call Turbo or Reid.”

“How about you stay out of my business, hmm? Unless you want me to fuck your girl and tell her about the evening’s events we just endured together?” I hissed, standing at my full height and butted my chest against his. “Go home, Lopez. I’ll sort out my car later, but other than that, I don’t want to see you again. Clear?”

“Crystal,” he said dryly, not hiding the underlying meaning in his words as he took a step back and opened the car door. “I hope we don’t run into each other like this again too.”

He climbed in and slammed the door, waiting for me to move away from the car before he started it and drove off.

I stalked back inside, not surprised to find Beckett waiting in the shadows on the doorstep.

“You’re keeping secrets,” she stated bluntly. “Why are you hanging around Zav? And what was that shit about Reid?”