Page 5

“She doesn’t know you.”
“And you do? This is the first time I’ve met you.”
“That you know of—you’re always drunk, which is why Aurora isn’t leaving with you.”
I turn to the girl I’m already obsessed with. “I’ve had three drinks. We’ll take an Uber, and I won’t drink the rest of the night. I swear.”
Unfortunately, Emily can’t resist intervening. “She’s not your type.”
“That’s hilarious. What’s my type?”
Only Grant has seen me leave with a girl, which was a mistake I haven’t repeated. I admit, that night, I was far beyond intoxicated and unable to do anything besides black out. When I woke, all my shit was gone, including my favorite pair of boots. I miss them far more than I miss wasting time chasing tail.
Ain’t no piece of ass worth risking a pair of broken-in Iron Ranger Red Wings.
Emily points across the room, and at first, I’m confused. I don’t see any girls I’d be even remotely interested in. Then, I see him, his beady eyes staring in this direction.
Shit. The last thing I need right now is my father’s attention.
He’s sitting with a group of middle-aged men, his flavor of the night beside him. My skin burns as that familiar agitation returns to my chest, rage twisting in the pit of my stomach. I fucking hate him, and I hate being compared to him.
I clench my jaw, struggling not to lose it on Aurora’s friend.
Thankfully, Grant steps in. “You’re wrong. You don’t know what you’re talking about. You need to go back to your table and mind your own fucking business.”
Kill shifts on his feet. “Emily, come on.”
She leans in, ignoring him. I’ll give this girl props; she doesn’t back down. “I know exactly what I’m talking about. I worked for that agency. I know the girl who’s withyourfather.”
My head spins, putting the pieces together. Panic sets in, but one thing’s for sure. “Have you ever seen me touch a girl? Any girl at all?”
“Not while I was there,” she grumbles.
“I don’t do that shit.” That’s the truth. I’d rather take a rusty butter knife to my balls than follow in my father’s footsteps. “If I did, don’t you think I’d be over there?”
Her lip twists in disdain, and she glares at me, not believing a word I say.
I don’t blame her. He’s still my father, whose connections I benefit from, right?
If I get popped for a drug test, he’ll make it disappear. I’m untouchable—the entire organization fears him. No cop in LA would dare give me a problem. As long as I provide my father with money and notoriety, I can get away with murder.
But I’d never lay hands on a woman, nor do I mess with prostitutes or underage girls or whatever sick shit he’s into.
“We got to go, Emily,” Kill insists. “Come on. Let it be.”
Emily narrows her eyes at me in warning before whispering something to Aurora, who nods. Then, thank fuck, she leaves.
Grant follows, and I’m finally alone with the girl whose warm caramel eyes don’t look at me like I’m a piece of shit.
Aurora picks at her nails, a slight tremble in her voice. “I’m sorry. She’s protective.”
“I don’t blame her. I’d be protective of you too.”
Fuck, I already am. I was prepared to break a teammate’s hand for touching her, and I’d do it again.
“You wanna get out of here?” I ask.
Her face lights up with a grin. “Yes, please.”