Page 55

“The infamous Rory Donovan’s a big ol’ softie?” I said, faking a gasp of shock. “Wait until the tabloids hear about this!”

“You’re a brat.” She chuckled, placing her empty coffee cup on the counter and giving me a wink. “But yes. When it comes to you kids, you know I’m a fucking marshmallow.”

“It can be our secret. I won’t sell you out.” I winked back, feeling bad for not spending time with her lately.

Our housekeeper, Sarah, wandered into the room, giving me a warm smile. She only popped by occasionally now that she was getting too old to manage the whole house. I was rarely home when she was here. “There you are! Shouldn’t you be at school?”

“Shouldn’t you be in a coffin by now, you old bat?” I threw back playfully, making Mom scowl.

“Riley!”

“What? I say it affectionately.” I smiled sweetly, kissing Sarah on the cheek as I got to my feet. “Right, Sarah?”

“You’ll be in a coffin before me if you keep being a little shit,” she warned, but her eyes sparkled with amusement. “Put your washing in the basket and I’ll get it done for you.”

“Sarah…” Mom sighed, rubbing her temples. “Remember what we said? Those jobs are too much for you now. Besides, I like that the kids clean up after themselves. Having money doesn’t mean they have to be treated like privileged little cunts. You’ve seen those entitled Crestford kids.”

Sarah clicked her tongue with annoyance. “I’m not that old. I like looking after this family. Ryder can wash his own bedding though. I draw the line at that.”

I snickered, but the amusement slipped as Luna wandered back in, her phone tightly in her hand by her side. She blinked quickly, trying to keep tears at bay. “Um, can you take me to Stan’s?”

“What did that cunt say to you?” I demanded, surprised when she stood up straighter, her voice firm.

“Nothing. I’m just ready to go.”

I went to argue, knowing he’d yelled at her and was making her leave, but Mom spoke up before I could. “I’m heading to the Devil’s warehouse to meet Marco. I’ll give you a ride since it’s on the way.” I turned to glare at her, finding her stern eyes already on me. “And you can run an errand for me. Beckett managed to get a deal sorted with the Night Thieves for some of their surveillance equipment. Go pick it up for me.”

“I love you, but that sounds like crew business. They’re Beckett’s friends, so she can get it. She’s already in the Heights, she can grab it on her way back,” I argued, not wanting to deal with them.

Luna looked worried for me, but Mom shrugged. “It’s the only excuse you have to avoid school today. You either do that for me, or you get your ass into gear and go to your classes.”

“That’s bullshit,” I grumbled, a light laugh leaving her as she walked past me.

“That might be true, but the only rules you kids have is to attend school and drive safely. The fact I haven’t brought up your recent Crestford incident should also be noticed. You can come with me and discuss that in detail if you want?”

“Send me the address for the Night Assholes,” I grunted, hating that Luna didn’t give me another glance before leaving the house with Mom talking over her shoulder.

“You’re a good girl. Angel dropped your Corvette off too. It’s in the garage.”

I flipped her the middle finger behind her back and a scoff left her. “I saw that, you cheeky shit.” I swore she had eyes in the back of her head.

At least I had my car back and didn’t have to fuck around getting it today.

ChapterEleven

Riley

Iparked my Corvette right in front of the Night Thieves’ warehouse, rolling my eyes when the huge door opened and the grumpy fucker from the night at the gas station stalked out to greet me. It was like a fucking army compound, and it was obvious this fucker ran the place.

“Stone,” I said dryly without getting out of the car, his annoyed, dark gray eyes on me.

“I don’t like you,” he announced bluntly, a snort leaving me.

“Any particular reason why? I won’t be able to sleep at night unless I know.”

He scowled, but Cruz’s amused face popped up beside him, his voice playful. “Because we had to clean up a bunch of surveillance that had you on it recently. Your family wasn’t too happy to see you speeding through multiple towns being shot at. Cops were sniffing around, so we had to get rid of evidence.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Next time someone’s shooting at me, I’ll remember to cause less of a scene,” I deadpanned, holding my hand out the window impatiently. “Give me this shit for Mom so I can go. I’m busy.”