Right as Fang bursts out the door.
So many emotions run riot across his face that it’s impossible to pick just one. But regardless of how he looks, I know one definite thing as I twist the throttle on and knock it up a gear—I’ve broken a golden rule. Committed a cardinal sin.
I’ve stolen a one-percenter’s bike.
I only hope they understand why in a few hours. See that my intentions were good before they make the call that puts me six feet under.
If I even make it there.
FORTY-EIGHT
FANG
“Jez!”I jog through the house to the kitchen, hollering her name. “I need you to watch Molly.”
She looks up from where she tidies breakfast dishes, and nods, a slight frown displaying her confusion. “Why? What’s happened?”
“Thatwasmy bike,” I say, mind cartwheeling in the background to work out how best to chase Jenna down. “I gotta sort it,” I say dismissively, too fucking distracted to stall for proper conversation.
“What the fuck, Fang?” Reno crosses out of the parlor as I re-enter the foyer. “Did I just hear you ask Jezabel to watchourdaughter?”
“Not now.” Hand raised to the woman, I turn for the stairs. Circus has two bikes—maybe he’ll let me use one. But then how do I get both home? Would it be better to take the truck? I could put my bike on the back and throw Jenna in the cab, making sure she doesn’t?—
“I’m right here, asshole.” Reno catches me by the arm as I take the bottom step. Her lisp has improved—tongue no longer bleeding, I presume—but her attitude remains the same. “Whatthe fuck has got into you?” she sneers, eyes narrowed. “You take Molly from me, don’t call when she’s in danger, and now you fucking give her to a whore to babysit rather than me? The hell, Fang?”
“I seriously do not have time for this right now.”
“You’ll make goddamn time if you want me to play by your rules.” Her leering smile says she thinks she’s won already. That her threats have weight.
Maybe they do, but today? Today I need to make sure I don’t lose both women I care about all in the same week—young and old. “Go home, Reno.” I shake her arm off me and turn for my room.
Chaos waits at the head of the stairs.
“What the fuck is going on?” He runs a hand over sleep-mussed hair. “I’ve got a goddamn meeting with the lawyer in thirty, and you two are having a fucking lover’s quarrel in the foyer?” His brow pulls taut as he stares at me. “Thought I heard your bike, just now.”
“You did.”
His expression morphs into resigned curiosity. “Why?”
“Jenna took it.” I move up the stairs and away from Reno. “Jezabel’s watching Molly. I gotta go get her to come back.”
“She took your bike,” he repeats slowly, mismatched eyes searching mine as I level with him on the landing. “What the fuck for?”
“That’s what I’m about to go find out.”
Chaos sighs, extending an upraised palm toward Reno, who climbs the stairs. “Stay where you are. This doesn’t involve you.” He turns to glare at the woman.
She scowls right back at our president. “I’m taking Molly home, Chaos. I don’t give a fuck what Fang says. She’s not safe here.”
“Is she injured? Upset?” he asks. “Does she want to leave?”
Reno stalls, and I see it in her dimming eyes—Chaos didn’t have to vocalize it. She came in here guns a blazing at me, yet she hasn’t once stepped foot out back to check on the daughter she apparently cares so much about.
“She’s fine here, Reno.” I grit the words through a tight jaw. “Go home, and I’ll call you later.”
“Don’t bother.” She turns to leave with a huff. “You won’t have anything I want to hear anyway.” Troublemaker fires the parting shot as she snags her coat off the hook by the door. “Hope that bitch crashes.”
“Leave it,” Chaos quietly warns me, waiting until Reno has left, the door closed behind her. “You made your point.”
