Page 79 of Rogue

He’s managed to get my arms pinned over my head. I’m about to head butt him but instead stop struggling and frown up at him.

His face is beet red like a little boy in the throes of a temper tantrum. No way is this the same guy Hayden decided to trust with this assignment. The same guy selected to be my partner. Jaxson, where are you when I need you?

Jesus. Now what?

“I’m not going to forget you did this,” he screeches at me.

“You’re so high, it’ll be a miracle if you remember any of this. You’re going to ruin everything if you don’t get your head on straight.”

He spits and a goober hits my earlobe. I bring my head up and, in one fluid motion, head butt him. Hard enough where I see stars and I’m pretty sure I’ll have a bruise on my forehead. Francis clasps his head in agony and I roll him off me and clamber to my feet. Then, because of the goober, I slam my foot into his side. As a matter of fact. . . . I slam my foot harder into the same spot, this time for him telling Franco about my sister. He cries out in agony.

“Quit the coke. A matter of fact, the next time you get in over your head, call me. I’ll do an intervention on your behalf.” Kick your ass until common sense returns.

“You’re done.”

“I haven’t even started with you.” I sit back on my haunches and glare down at him.

“Hayden asked me why you neglected to report in this week.”

Great. I can’t wait to hear how he replied.

“Shelby’s a small town. I’ve a town car and a lot of time on my hands. I was wondering what happened to you. Started asking around—that woman at the Shelby Quick-Mart isn’t really much of a fan of yours.”

I stand and move away from him before I do something I’ll regret. Francis rises to his feet, then points a finger at me. “You breathe a word about this to Hayden and I’ll tell him. You’ve been keeping secrets, Kylie. Like that pretty look-alike gal of yours waiting for you back home . . .”

Red isn’t just the color of roses. Red is madness. Red is rage.

I launch myself at him, grab him by the neck and pin him against the shower-stall door. His throat contracts beneath my fingers, but I only squeeze tighter.

He blinks and stares at me with two bug eyes.

“How did you find out about my sister?”

“I…um…saw you together.”

“Where?”

“Outside your house.” I freeze, his words sinking in. Not only has he discovered I have a sister, he knows where I live.

“Exactly what did you say to Franco about her?” I demand.

“I can’t breathe.”

“Shut up and answer my question.”

“Nothing. Just that you have a sister. How she looks like you, but . . . sweeter.”

“You got that right.” I squeeze harder and his eyes practically pop out of his head. My cell phone vibrates in my pocket.Damn it.“If you ever mention my sister to anyone again, I’ll shoot you in the thigh like that driver then strangle you until you pass out. Nod if you understand me.”

Francis nods.

I release my hold, take out my cell phone, and check caller ID.

TORC . . .Hayden.

“You keep quiet about my personal life, and I’ll refrain from sharing your coke habit. Deal?”

“You’ll pay me a hundred bucks to replace what you flushed.”