“About the bust-up you had with McCoy.” Lance broadens his stance as he looms over his brother. “That was over some girl, wasn’t it?”
“Why do you care?” Dax asks through gritted teeth.
“You’ve been MIA,” Boscoe says, crossing his arms like a sheriff waiting for a crook’s confession. “And when you do come back to the clubhouse, you make another excuse to leave.”
Stitch sniggers, bobbing his head up and down. “Probably out, licking his wounds.”
Lance steps away from Dax. “No, he took care of McCoy. Bro, I’ve seen the look in your eyes.”
A scowl crosses Dax’s face. “What look?”
Lance closes in on Dax, tapping his open palm against his cheek. “You’re being secretive with me.” Lance pulls back, letting out a throaty chuckle. “Although, I guess that’s what you do. Isn’t it, baby bro? You keep secrets from me.”
Holding his ribs, Dax pulls himself off the wall. “I’m still with you, aren’t I?”
Lance stomps a foot forward and whacks Dax in the gut. As Dax doubles over, Lance holds him up, growling, “You’ve never been with me.”
I shudder in my crouched position. A bead of sweat runs from my hairline and drops between my eyebrows.
“You want to know what look you give me?” Lance’s menacing tone freezes my blood. “It’s betrayal. Just like when you helped Mom take off.”
Lance holds Dax by the scruff of his hair. When his fist winds up, everything plays out in slow motion. I blink hard, unwilling to see Dax get hurt again.
“Don’t!” I scream, springing up in plain sight.
Lance turns to me and drops Dax, who stumbles forward.
“Well, well,” Lance says with a vile grin. “Look who came out to play.”
With my heart pounding to an aching beat, I move toward the doorway, very aware of every eyeball following my movements.
Dax puffs out air, forcing himself to stand. “Stay away from her.”
“What’s that?” Lance says, whipping around to his brother. He plants his hand under Dax’s chin, pressing his thumb and fingers into Dax’s cheeks. “Leave who alone? Or has Stella had an upgrade?”
“I’m sorry. It was my idea to hide,” I say in a shaky voice. “I’m not supposed to leave my house. I’m grounded.”
Lance releases Dax as he, Boscoe, and Stitch throw their heads back in laughter.
Adrenaline races through my body, ignoring the men and keeping my sights on the only person I care about. Dax stares at me with mournful eyes. I know he wishes I’d stayed hidden, but how could I let the abuse continue?
Boscoe folds his arms over his round belly. “So, who are you? Miss Hide-and-go-seek?”
“I met Stella and Hugo yesterday,” I admit. “I’m Sasha. I just didn’t want to be seen in town because my parents are way too strict.”
Boscoe holds his round belly, which jiggles while he laughs. “Look at that. Dax did get himself a pretty little thing. What’s the plan? Trying to corrupt the good girl?”
“I’m not trying to be bad,” I yammer as my knees knock. “Can you just let us go so Dax can take me home?”
Lance grins at me, tilting his head. “And where’s home?”
“Give it up.” Dax groans. “She’s not one of those rich kids. She lives in Victoria Falls but is barely middle class.”
Lance’s muscular arm tenses as he grabs Dax’s neck. “Bro, you need to pipe down.”
I gasp, shooting my hands over my mouth. Shivering, I let out a muffled, “Let him go.”
Stitch moves toward me, grabbing my shoulders and tugging me forward. I squeak, tripping over my feet, and repulsed by his touch.
