Page 22

22

Raven

A fter Viper came clean about the true nature of his club, I was worried about how it would affect Phoenix. She'd built up this idea in her head about our father and the big happy family we could have now that the DNA test confirmed we were his. Things were finally starting to work out. She started school, we moved into our own place, and I had a job that I didn't hate.

Then Dom and his cronies had to go and fuck everything up, drudging up the ancient beef he and his crew have against Viper and the Sons of Sorrow. This whole situation is a dumpster fire. Why couldn't Mom have chosen a regular guy? One who didn't run a gang and commit felonies in his free time.

Fuck. Everything's a mess. I hope Phoenix doesn't take this too hard.

Now, we're stuck here because Dom knows that me and Lace are somehow connected to the club. It's not too far of a stretch to think he may know about Phoenix, too. If we tried to leave, the bastard would only follow us and do who knows what to pull one over on Viper. I can't let that happen. As much as I hate to admit it, having the MC help watch over Nix and protect her is my best option. I can't watch over her twenty-four-seven, but there's enough of them that they can.

My stomach starts to grumble as I finish drying my hair. I can't remember the last time I ate. All the excitement earlier kept my mind elsewhere. Apparently, my body has different priorities at the moment.

I stalk toward the kitchen, prepared to order pizza, as my shadow ambles close behind. I'm winding up to toss a snarky comment to Reaper when a sound from Phoenix's room catches my attention. I move closer and make out the loud cries of Nix and Raptor echoing off the walls—they're definitely not sounds of distress.

My eyes fly wide as I back away quickly, smothering a grin. I guess she's taking everything better than I thought.

Before I can muster any additional thoughts, a deep voice cuts through the air. "They're fucking."

I snap my head to Captain Obvious. "No shit," I deadpan. Shaking my head, I head for the kitchen, and Reaper scowls at me. It doesn't take a genius to figure out what those two were doing. Does he really think I'm that stupid?

My annoyance builds as I dial the number for the local pizza place. I opt for the current special—buy three, get one free. I'm sure Nix and Raptor are working up quite the appetite. Four pizzas will hopefully be enough, who knows how much these guys can put away. I put in our order and text Jesse, asking him to take one of the shop vans to pick it up on his way so we can avoid the delivery charge.

Thirty minutes later, Nix and Raptor emerge from her room, disheveled and glowing. I can't help the smirk that spreads across my face. "I ordered pizza. Figured you guys would be hungry after all the cardio you were doing in there."

A bright red blush creeps over Nix's cheeks as Raptor pulls her close, smiling widely. "You heard?" Nix asks, mortified.

"The walls aren't exactly thick here, Nix. But it's all good. I'm sure I'll be repaying you sooner or later." I shoot her a wink as an annoyed grunt sounds from across the room. Nix's eyes widen as she glances at Reaper, realizing I wasn't the only one who heard them. "Oh, don't mind, Grim," I tell her. "He's just mad no one wants to fuck him ."

The big lug practically growls at me as he bares his teeth, seething over my jab. Fucking rabid beast. Before he can retort, a door slams outside the house.

In seconds, Raptor moves in front of Phoenix, holding a protective stance, and Reaper is at the window, his hand hovering above something in the waistband of his jeans. He relaxes as he moves toward the door. When it opens, I see Jesse walking up with a tower of pizza in his hands. "Delivery for one Raven West," he announces cheerfully.

We spread out around the kitchen table and devour the cheesy pies. Our conversation is sparse as we take down three of the four pizzas in record time. Weariness is starting to settle in everyone's bones; you can see it on each of our faces.

Phoenix is the first to break the silence after the light small talk fades away. "Has anyone heard about Tweak?"

All eyes dart to my sister, who seems embarrassed by the attention but looks at all three men, waiting for an answer. Raptor responds by tugging her close and wrapping a strong arm around her. Reaper stays broodily silent. It's Jesse who finally answers. "Doc got him to this surgeon, who owed him a favor. He had a team ready when they got there to take care of our boy. Stitch said they think he's gonna pull through."

A loud whoosh sounds as everyone lets out a collective breath. All around the table, silence echoes as we let the news sink in. It's been a long fucking day, and my body is starting to demand rest.

The pizza boxes can wait until tomorrow, I decide as I push my chair back. "Well, I don't know about everyone else, but I'm beat. I'm gonna try to get some sleep."

Nix and Raptor pace back toward her room, following suit, bidding everyone a quick goodnight as they disappear. Jesse notices right away and calls out with a smirk, "Careful messin' with Prez's daughter, man. You fuck it up, and he'll have your balls."

Raptor flips him the bird before closing the door to Phoenix's room, earning a snicker from Jesse. When he turns back around, he sees Reaper's unamused glare. "What? Just stating facts. Viper gave me the run-around for a week after I had my arm around Rae when we got back from New Mexico. Imagine what he'd do if he found out his treasurer was banging little Red in there."

"What the fuck did he do to you after New Mexico?" I ask, now irritated as fuck.

Jesse slings an arm around my shoulders and leans in. "Nothin' I couldn't handle, babe. A bunch of extra grunt work." He throws me a flirty smile, adding, "But it was worth it."

An annoyed huff sounds from where Reaper is sitting. I ignore him and tell Jesse, "Well, Viper doesn't get to tell me who I can and can't hang out with." With a surge of defiance aimed at my father, I smile up at him. "Where are you sleeping tonight, Jes?"

Looking around the living room at our single couch and oversized chair, Jesse replies, "Unless someone takes pity on me, it looks like I'm cuddling Reaper on the couch."

The visual makes me chuckle as I shake my head. "How about you stay with me? Ya know, keep the bad guys away and all that."

A heated look flashes in his eyes as he licks his lips. "Well, that would be the safe thing to do." I see his fiery gaze slowly trail down my body, making my nipples peak. Maybe sleep can wait a little longer tonight.

I send him a seductive smile as I tug him toward my room. The sneer Reaper plasters us with is hard to miss as he watches us disappear behind my door. Disapproving, grouchy asshole.

All thoughts of the irritable mountain man in my living room disappear as Jesse's lips crash into mine. We collapse onto my bed in a heap of limbs, tongues wagging, hands searching. Our mouths meld together as his erection comes to life behind his zipper.

I don't want to think about anything that's happened over the last twenty-four hours or about what might happen next. All I want is to feel something other than fear and anxiety. And Jesse is more than capable of providing the right kind of distraction.