Page 6 of Entangled With The Hellhound

Roxy continues to stare at Candy until she slides four tequila shots in our direction, and I pick one up and hand it to her. “See, she didn’t do anything to your drink.” I chuckle.

“Only because I was watching her ass. She saw me looking at her.” Roxy sucks her teeth and throws the shot back with gusto, and I do the same. We knock back the other two shots, and I wave at Candy for two more.

Before I know it, we have knocked back about five shots a piece, and I’m feeling pretty damn good. I can tell Roxy is holding her liquor, but she’s still a petite little thing, so I get her a bottle of water before we head back to the pool table.

Before we make it back, Roxy stops in the middle of the floor and turns to me. “Dance with me.”

3

Roxy

Ican’t believe out of all places in the world, Raymond is here. My ex-boyfriend made my life a living hell. He was one of the worst decisions in my life. He still had a starring role in my nightmares, and I hadn’t seen him in two years. Hell, I didn’t even know he was out of jail already.He shouldn’t be out of jail.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Stone looks down into my eyes, and I can see in his gaze that he’s trying to figure out my soul’s secrets.

I look away as he pulls me into him, and we slowly sway back and forth to the country music that’s playing. I wouldn’t categorize the song as slow, but I don’t think anybody cares what we’re doing. Stone seems like the type of man that walks to the beat of his own drum anyway. So I doubt anybodywouldsay anything even if they did care.

I can feel Stone staring down at me, but my mind is trying to figure out what Raymond is doing here. There could be all kinds of reasons for his reappearance, but to be here out of all places just doesn’t sit right with me. And even though Dee said these guys wouldn’t hurt me, that doesn’t mean they aren’t dangerous. And if Raymond Frazier is here, then I can guarantee that danger isn’t far behind.

When I look up, Stone is still looking at me. His gaze is intense as his blue eyes burn a hole into my browns without flickering. I gulp down my fear. Because make no mistake, this man scares the shit out of me. Stone is all jokes and charm, but there’s something dark flittering behind that façade.

However, it’s not the darkness that scares me. It’s the fact that once we lock eyes, I can’t look away from him. I’ve never been so attracted to someone in my life, and that’s what scares me more than anything. How can this man I’ve known for a few hours make me feel simultaneously scared and safe? It doesn’t make any sense.

“Are you gonna tell me what has your eyes so wide?” At Stone’s deep voice, I narrow my eyes and look away, trying desperately not to show how much Raymond’s appearance has spooked the hell out of me.

“No… nothing. I’m good.” I lie easily, but when Stone’s big hand grabs my chin and forces me to look up at him, I know I made a mistake.

“If we’re gonna be friends, lyin’ ain’t a good way for me to trust you.” The coldness in his eyes makes me shiver. I am instantly aware this man isn’t somebody to fuck with.

“Umm. Well, can we possibly go somewhere else to talk?” I look around nervously because I’ve lost sight of Raymond, and I know not to turn my back on a snake.

“Talk? You sure that’s all you wanna do?” Stone arches a dark eyebrow with a sexy grin, and I suck my teeth and roll my eyes because just like that, the cocky jokester is back.

“Yeah, I’m sure.” I keep a straight face, so he knows I’m serious.

Stone nods as he pulls me off the makeshift dancefloor and heads toward a back patio area. I’m surprised he didn’t go in the direction of the rooms. While we were at the bar, I saw Dee and Crush disappear down a hall with rooms. I can’t say that I’mnotdisappointed, which is a weird thought that I will unpack and overthink once I get home.

“It’s nice out here.” I look around at the lights hanging from the dark wood stained pergola. There’s patio furniture surrounding a fire pit on one side and a nice stainless steel outside kitchen off to the other side. It looks all comfortable and cozy like we’re in the backyard of a family home. It’s in direct contrast with the shenanigans that are happening inside.

“Yeah, ever since Sassy had the boys, we’ve become a little more family oriented around here.”

I nod my head even though I really don’t know who or what he’s talking about. I can only assume a woman is behind this small structure of peace.

“So, what’s up? I know my face doesn’t scream; tell me all your troubles, so it must be something serious.”

“I just saw my ex-boyfriend in there, who I thought was still in jail, by the way. I haven’t seen him in forever, and he’s not supposed to be out. So why didn’t Myers warn me?” I rush the words out in a hurry, so I won’t freak out at the thought of what I’m saying.

Raymond Frazier is a devious bastard who almost ruined my life. He tried his best, and if I had known he was out of the pen, I most certainly would’ve talked to Detective Myers. I’m surprised nobody at the department warned me. There were so many cops trying to get me to testify against Raymond. Now nobody tells me he’s out.

Myers always stayed involved in Raymond’s case because of all the high-profile people rumored to do business with him. The detective always wanted me to keep in touch with him, and he didn’t tell me!

I was twenty-three when I broke up with Raymond because of all the shit he put me through. It took almost three years for him to go to jail while I had to practically go into hiding to get away from all his bullshit.

The entire time Raymond was out on bond, he created havoc in my life and threatened me and everyone I was associated with if I thought about testifying against him. He wanted my silence and loyalty when all he did was hurt me. I had every reason to snitch on my bastard ex. I spent almost the entirety of my twenties dealing with Raymond in some form or fashion. I promised myself I would never be in the same room as his foul ass again, and one night of me stepping outside my normal… and here he is.

“Who? Who is your ex?” Stone’s face is just that… stone. I can’t read any emotion that he’s feeling. I can’t even hear any reaction in his voice. It makes me wonder once more if Stone is his actual name. If so, his mama knew what she was doing when she named him.

“Raymond. Raymond Frazier,” I answer, still unable to read the man in front of me.