Page 106

“Sweet merciful fuck, do you ever stop?” he groans, rubbing his temples. “The world almost ended an hour ago and you want to play dress-up?”

I step closer, grab the collar of his shirt, just enough to make a point. “Everything can wait until tomorrow. I need this Jax. I thought I would never walk again, dance again. I need this.”

He stares at me, and I see the exact moment he gives in, the surrender followed by a flicker of smug amusement. “Alright then,” he mutters, pushing off the bike. “So, Lola. What’s your story?”

I grin. “That depends… Riot, how comfortable are you with breaking the law?”

He lets out a low chuckle. “Are we talking about sucking on an Ashpop or smashing a Tar Hound’s skull in the Cut?”

I lean closer. “I have a delivery to make tonight. A dangerous one.”

His eyes drag over me like he’s trying to read the fine print, the exhaustion from the hospital warring with a flicker of raw interest. “Fuck, I could use a punchbag today… turning a criminal skull into a piss bucket sounds like exactly what Riot needs.”

My breath catches. “Wow, Riot is… intense.”

He lights his cigarette, the flare briefly illuminating his face before he gives me a slow cocky grin.

I glance over my shoulder, stage-whisper serious. “Because Riot is…” I pause—waiting.

And he delivers. “Ex-Enforcer turned rogue.” He says it like it’s no big deal.

I raise an eyebrow. “So you a vigilante? You protect people?”

He flicks his cigarette. “Just one.” He looks at me. “One reckless rabbit.”

I glance behind him. “You know what? This bike won’t do tonight. Too slow.”

Jax follows my gaze to a massive black machine parked on the other side. It’s huge and glossy, looking like it belongs on a poster. Everything about it just screams fun and trouble.

“Holy pitfire. Now that’s a ride worthy of Lola and Riot.”

He just stares at me. “You want to steal it?”

I tilt my head. “I want you to impress me.”

“Lola has a thing for breaking the law, huh?”

I shrug. “Lola doesn’t give a fuck about the law. She wants results.” A small voice in my head screams that this is wrong, that I’m not a thief. But I need him out of his head. I need to shake him loose, andif this is what it takes to find the Riot I’mtrying to create, fuck it.It’s just a joyride. We can return the bike tomorrow.

I walk toward the bike, and I don’t need to look, I know he’s right behind me.

“We don’t have the key.”

I swing my leg over the front of the bike. “Use your magic, Riot.”

He takes a step closer. “What’s in it for me?”

I lean forward, arching my back so my ass is high and tight. “Your cock pressed against my ass for twenty minutes.”

“You know I don’t?—”

I push back against the seat, just enough to make my point.

He lets out a harsh breath. “Fuck. You’re playing dirty.” He shakes his head, but his eyes are locked on my ass. “This is a one-time deal. You hear me?”

He presses one palm flat to the ignition. The beast purrs to life under me.

I miss this.I miss us, back when we were just two screwed-up kids looking for a good time before everything went to hell, before the darkness stopped being fun and started being real.