Page 36 of Riot

That earned me another laugh, shorter this time. I kissed him again, slower, savoring the feel of his lips. He melted into me, making a small sound that made my blood heat.

Then I felt something, and it had me pulling back.

A shift in the air. A presence approaching that made my wolf snap to attention. Two figures approached from down the street. One walked with a slight swagger, the other more controlled. I kept Calvin close, one hand still on his hip while I tracked the newcomers.

“Babe,” I said quietly, keeping my tone even, “you know them?”

Calvin glanced back. His shoulders went rigid under my hands. I could feel the tension radiating through his entire body, the easy warmth of moments ago completely evaporated.

“That’s my brother, Ramos,” he said quietly. “And his friend Miguel.”

I watched as they drew closer. The shorter one had the same facial features as Calvin, same coloring. The second was leaner, darker, with black hair and eyes that held nothing. Absolutely nothing. It was like staring into a well that had never seen water.

My wolf went still. Not calm. Coiled.

They stopped at the bottom of the walkway. Miguel glanced toward us. His gaze swept over Calvin then landed on me and held.

“Friend of yours?” Ramos asked, nodding toward me.

“Yeah.” Calvin didn’t elaborate.

Miguel smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Didn’t know you were into bikers, Cal.”

The way he said it made my grip tighten involuntarily on Calvin’s hip. He didn’t flinch, but I felt him tense.

“Didn’t know it was your business,” Calvin shot back.

Ramos laughed, the sound too loud in the quiet street. “Always got an attitude.”

Miguel’s gaze stayed fixed on me. “You from around here?”

I nodded. “Name’s Riot.” I made sure he knew who I was. It was all he was getting.

He nodded slowly, like he was filing the information away. “Nice bike.”

The silence stretched. Calvin’s breathing had gone shallow. I kept my arm around him, letting him feel the solid weight of me at his back.

Ramos climbed the porch steps. The black-haired one glanced toward us. His gaze swept over Calvin then landed on me again. Held. A smirk pulled at the corner of Miguel’s mouth, slow and knowing, before he turned and followed the brother inside. The door clicked shut behind them.

“I don’t want to leave you here.”

Calvin turned back to face me fully, his brow furrowing. “What do you mean?”

“Come back to the clubhouse.” The words came out before I’d finished thinking them. “Stay the night. I don’t—” I stopped myself. Telling him I didn’t trust that soulless bastard not to do something wouldn’t land right. Not yet. “I don’t want the night to end.”

Calvin’s expression softened for half a second. Then his whole body went rigid.

“Riot.” His voice had dropped to a whisper. “Why are your eyes glowing?”

Shit. My wolf, still coiled and watchful from sensing that threat, had pushed forward without me noticing.

Releasing Calvin, I moved aside and lowered to a crouch. Making myself smaller. Less threatening. The night air pressed against my skin while I forced my breathing to slow.

“Don’t be afraid.”

“Your eyes are glowing.” His voice shook, but he hadn’t run. “People’s eyes don’t glow, Riot. That’s not—that’s not a thing that happens.”

“I know.” Keeping my hands visible, resting on my knees, I held his gaze. “I need you to trust me, Calvin. Please.”