Page 52 of Pretty Vengeance

“I mentioned it. I also asked the question.” His jaw clenches. “Can we ban little Patrick from this house and any public op we’re running?”

I wait.

“He asked why we would need to ban her. Told him I assume there are things she shouldn’t see. And also that if we’ve gotta keep her out of trouble, I need to plan accordingly cuz she’s a live fucking grenade on the regular.” A muscle in War’s jaw twitches. “C, Trick, and Anvil wouldn’t let one of their wives wander through the middle of a fucking op. Anvil’s house is practically on fucking lockdown twenty-four-seven.”

Not from everyone, I think. Ash is the designated babysitter of Anvil’s little girls. But my saying Ash has an “all access” pass into even Anvil’s house will just annoy War more.

I lean back against the wall. “So, what was the word from C?”

War scowls. “He reiterated he doesn’t want us sharing operational details with anyone, not even other Crue members. What’s between the three of us—you, me, and Killian—stays between us and the bosses. But when it comes to the house and campus parties, Ash can go where she wants. Fucking bullshit.” His tone is the snap of a whip. “She’s reckless, and they let it roll. My question is why? Maybe C or Anvil is fucking her.”

My brow cocks.

“Right?” His black glare is a knife trying to slice me open so the truth pours out.

“If I knew that I wouldn’t confirm it. And I strongly advise you not to ask questions whose answers could get you killed.”

“Me killed? Fuck no. Why would it?” War growls.

“One of Trick’s best friends fucking Ashling could blow up the Crue leadership and hence, the Crue itself. If C or Anvil were involved with Trick’s baby sister, they would not let that secret surface without a fight.”

The black expression on War’s face causes my eyes to narrow. Challenging this set of bosses—relatives or not—is straight-up insane. And yet he seems ready to double down.

I lean forward. “Why do you care, mate?”

“I don’t,” he barks. “Except when she’s making trouble on a job site.” An oven timer dings, causing him to turn and stalk away.

Shaking my head, I frown. War’s interest in Ash is not going to end well. He likes control, and she’s a human stick of dynamite.

The image of War slamming through people last night when Allendale put his hands on Ash rises in my mind like smoke. I was close enough to handle it, but that didn’t stop War from charging forward and snatching Ash up, effectively taking her off the board. I’ve rarely seen him move that fast. And he didn’t just get her out of harm’s way. The minute he had a hold of her, he didn’t want to put her down. To someone who knows him, that was very clear.

Ash is no help. He clearly did something to piss her off because that girl pokes the bear every fucking chance she gets. Even while calling for a truce, she was testing him. Asking that asshole Crosby to walk her to her car… She knew that wouldn’t fly. But she didn’t glance my way or even Bergmann’s when she said it. Her eyes were on War.

Shaking my head again, I scowl. They could’ve been a good match if their chemistry wasn’t so volatile. A McCann and a Patrick together would’ve united the families, which C and Trick probably would’ve welcomed. But when War gives a girl an order, he expects to be obeyed. And Ash clearly doesn’t want to take orders from him.

Given that, it seems like the best thing I can do is keep them apart. Which means I’m not going to greenlight Ash coming by to drop off Sawyer. If she did, Ash would come in to say hello to me, thereby crossing paths with War again.

Raising my phone, I type a text to Sawyer.

Jamie: I’ll come to get you. 1 hour.

20

SAWYER

When Jamie collects me from the dorm, his mood isn’t exactly upbeat. He takes the overnight bag from my shoulder, so chivalry is not dead, but there’s no kiss.

As we settle in the Porsche, I glance at him as I click my seatbelt. “How are you?”

“Well enough. You?”

For some reason his response casts me into the role of an Allendale. My tone is cool and pitch perfect. “I’m well. Thank you.”

Our seven-minute drive to the waterfront house is silent. I stare out the windshield, waiting for the other shoe to drop. If he’s angry Ash and I attended the Tronex event, why is he bringing me to his house?

In the guys’ parking lot, there’s a Honda compact next to War’s SUV.

“Whose car is that?”