Total pages in book: 162
Estimated words: 158848 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 158848 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
My heartbeat thuds in my ears. “Say what?”
“Look,” he continues in a more confident voice, “I didn’t watch the show myself. I hate reality TV. But I’ve known Griff for years.” His lips quirk into a wry hint of a smile. “Even in our little morally gray circle, he’s known for his fairness and honesty.”
Morally gray circle. What a way to describe my brother’s friends.
Torch shakes his head. “Any idiot can see how much he loves you. Even me. Even though I don’t want to.” He inhales another slow breath. “Are you sure you saw what you think you saw?”
I stare at him, slack-jawed. Anger simmers in my chest. Does he think I’m stupid? “The whole world saw it, Torch.”
“What I mean is are you sure it wasn’t a trick of the show?” He grips the steering wheel and drums his fingers against it.
“It’s not just the…” I swallow hard. “It’s not that he cheated on me. On television.”
He clucks his tongue. “Shit, that’s brutal.”
“No kidding,” I snap, then soften my tone. “It’s not just that. It’s other stuff too.”
Stuff I can’t even figure out how to put into words myself, so please don’t ask.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Molly
Well, that was awkward.
I quietly close the door behind me until it clicks shut. The rumble of Torch’s engine increases then slowly fades away. I press my hand against my chest. Why did that talk, hell, the whole night, leave a heaviness clinging to me like heavy chains wrapped around my body?
Low, murmuring voices come from the kitchen. Great, does Remy have someone over? Probably a girl he picked up at the track. There were enough of them crawling around tonight looking for a hookup.
I should run straight to my room, but I’m thirsty. Besides, this is still my house. I cock my head, listening. Sounds like another guy. Eraser maybe? I hang my bunny mask on a hook by the door, unlace my boots and yank them off. In my stockinged feet, I slide my way into the kitchen.
At the threshold, I skid to a stop. My hand shoots out and hits the wall.
Griff.
In my kitchen.
With my brother.
Casually leaning against the counter like he’s done so many times before.
As if he hasn’t messed up my night—my life—enough.
“Why are you here?” I blurt, harsher than I meant.
They both turn my way. When Griff’s gaze lands on me, the desire to melt into the floor consumes my soul.
Griff stares at me like he’s trying to memorize every hair on my head, forcing me to look anywhere but at him. “We have business to discuss.”
“Oh.” I frown in Remy’s direction. They couldn’t have talked about whatever at Zips?
“He’s buying me out of The Castle,” Remy explains.
“What?” My eyes bug. “Why?” They’ve owned the old building and the property around it for a couple of years now. They hold all their underground fights there.
Oh no. Are they parting ways because of me? I always worried I’d ruin their friendship if Griff and I got involved. I never thought about their business relationship. I try not to spend too much time thinking about their illegal cage fighting as it is.
“Don’t worry about it,” Griff says.
My temper spikes at his casual dismissal. “What are you going to do with the building?”
“I haven’t decided, yet.”
Whatever. It’s not my business. “Excuse me.” I don’t want to get too close to Griff but he’s blocking my path to the refrigerator.
He slides his body less than a foot away from where he’s standing. I shoot a glare at his feet, but he doesn’t move another inch.
Heat travels over my exposed skin as if I can feel his gaze on me. I yank open the refrigerator, rattling the bottles in the door. I grab a can of seltzer. “I’ll leave you two to your business.”
“You going to bed?” Remy asks.
Don’t look at Griff. Don’t look at Griff. “Maybe.”
As if I can sleep knowing Griff’s in my house.
I pop the top on my can and take a quick sip. Awkwardness slides over me. My presence isn’t wanted or needed here.
“Night,” I call over my shoulder.
Tears sting my eyes as I leave the kitchen. Why does seeing Griff twist me up in knots so bad? I’m over him.
Liar, liar, red-striped tights on fire.
I pause in the dining room.
“Did you talk to her?” my brother asks.
My heart thuds so loud I’m afraid I’ll miss Griff’s answer.
“We talked.”
“And?”
None of your business! Why is my brother so damn nosy?
“Not your business.” Griff’s rumbling dismissal makes me want to punch my fist in the air in triumph. Hah! Tell him.
“Dead wrong, bro. My sister is my business,” Remy, the caveman growls. “I still owe you an ass-kicking for hurting her.”
As annoying as Remy’s overprotectiveness can be, love for him swells in my chest.
“Oh, yeah.” Griff chuckles, low and rough. “What’s stopping you, Ruthless?”