Page 25 of Dare You to Run

Her lips flatten into a thin line and her eyes narrow. “How do we look?”

I look at her up and down exaggeratedly then turn my attention to Dagen, doing the same and pretending I didn’t just think about whether or not she’s wearing panties to match that bra.

“You ladies look nice,” I tell them, then walk away to answer the door and give myself a breather.

The door swings wide before I have a chance to open it, and Danté stomps in wearing his usual all black outfit.

Actually, it’s the same outfit that we all usually wear. Black pants, black shirt, black shoes. I strayed from that tonight wearing a white DARE t-shirt with my black jeans and black boots.

Danté lets out a loud whistle and steps closer to Dagen.

“Damn, girl. You're fitting to burn down the house with how hot you look.” He takes her hand and spins her around, letting his eyes eat up every inch of her body.

She smiles and blushes then looks over at me. Our eyes lock and she has me spellbound. The world could come crumbling down around us right now and it wouldn’t matter because all I see is this mesmerizing woman.

“You ready?” He asks and both she and Kinsley reply with a yes.

“We’re waiting for King,” I tell D, a little gruffer than I meant for it to sound.

“King is here.” Malik walks in through the still open front door with a cheery grin as always, and his arms spread wide like he is truly the king gracing us with his presence.

“Who’s ridin’ with who?” Kinsley asks.

“Dagen’s with me and the rest of you are on your own.” Danté takes Dagen’s hand and pulls her to the door.

“Oh,” she says, looking from where his car sits to him. “I thought we would be on your bike.”

“No, baby girl. I need to see that pretty face and I can’t do that when it’s covered by a helmet.”

Her face falls and I see my chance to turn this around in my favor.

“I was planning to drive my bike, if you want to come with me,” I tell her.

“Um, well…” Dagen’s bottom lip is trapped between her teeth and she looks at one of us and then the other.

“Actually I think I’ll drive my car. Kins and Mal, you guys can come with me if you want.” I say the words that seem to be magic, because Dagen’s eyes light up like a Vegas billboard.

“You’re going to drive your Challenger?” Her voice and eyes are full of wonder, like a kid on Christmas.

I nod my head nonchalantly and tuck my hands into my pockets. “Yeah. I don’t feel like taking my bikes or my other car, and it’s probably best to take minimal cars so we aren’t all out on the roads.”

Her face freezes and I can see a thought come over her.

“Who’s on DD duty tonight?” She asks us.

I lift my hand. “I am. I don’t take chances with my green beauty.”

She turns her attention to Danté, her eyes questioning. “I mean, I wasn’t planning on a sober night.”

“Sorry. That’s my number one rule. I will not ride with anyone who drinks. I’d rather walk.”

“I won’t drink, then, if it bothers you. Now c’mon. Can we go already?” Danté grabs her hand again before she can protest and pulls her out to his car.

I nod my head for Malik and Kins to follow me and we pile into my car. “Don’t get anything dirty or you will be walking,” I warn, and we speed off after Dagen and the guy who may soon no longer be my brother.

Dagen slams back another shot along with Kins, and they wobble in their seats. Danté hangs his arm over her shoulders and watches her tongue when she swipes away the remnants of a drink called Deep Throat.

Malik ordered them for the girls, then gave me and Danté a look like the sneaky bastard he is. All night long he’s been doinglittle things to bait me. It’s apparent he knows I’m not really okay with Danté and how hard he’s pursuing Dagen. He’s been pouring it on thick all night and basically said everything butcome fuck me in my office.