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Jax slips his arm territorially around me. Well, either that or he’s worried I’m about to take Benton up on his offer and go with him.”
I aim a bored look at Benton. “Hard pass.”
He smirks. “Your loss, baby. But the offer remains open for as long as you survive this.”
Those words send a chill down my spine, but I manage just to roll my eyes.
Benton’s smirk widens then he turns around and strolls out of the house. A few people whisper to each other, and then everyone follows, squeezing out of the room like a herd of sheep.
Jax stands behind me with his arms looped around my waist. We stay that way until the room has cleared out, none of us moving as everyone leaves. Once the house is empty, Hunter leaves the room and goes over to the front door to lock it.
Then he returns to us.
For a moment, everyone sort of stands there in silent shock.
Finally, Hunter breaks the silence. “We should check the cameras to make sure no one is hiding somewhere. Or screwing in the guest room.”
Zay nods but doesn’t make an effort to move as he rubs the back of his neck and stares at the floor. Hunter looks at Jax, and they trade yet another indecipherable look.
“I can’t,” Jax strains out, his hold on me tightening.
Hunter continues to press him with a look. “She’ll be with Zay.” Then he mouths, “Give him a moment.”
I’m beyond perplexed and I’m about to declare this, but then Jax sighs and releases me.
“I’ll be right back. Don’t leave Zay’s side.” He rushes past me, giving me this look that I can tell means he doesn’t want to go.
I don’t want him to go either. Why do I have to stay here with Zay?
I frown as Hunter and Jax exit the room. Zay continues to stare at the floor in silence. Shaking my head in, I look down at my hand.
“Dammit,” I grimace because it’s already swelling.
I hear the scuffing of footsteps, and when my gaze lifts, Zay is walking toward me. His cheek and eye are swollen, and he has a cut on his brow. He’s not looking at me either but at my hand.
“You put too much force on your knuckles,” he mutters as he stops in front of me.
My lip twitches in annoyance. “You’re welcome for saving your face from getting smashed.”
The corners of his lips twitch as if he’s about to smile. It never happens, though, and I assume it’s because I imagined it.
“I had it handled,” he says. “I didn’t need you to step in. And you shouldn’t have. My brother… he’s an asshole when it comes to getting revenge.”
“He didn’t seem too revengeful considering he offered for me to join his team.”
“Are you regretting declining his offer?”
“Hell no. He’s an asshole.” I smirk. “Even more than you are.”
He drags his teeth along his bottom lip, assessing me. “Come on,” he says. “Let’s go put some ice on your hand.” He starts for the doorway.
Sighing, I follow. “You should probably put some on your face too.”
“I will,” he replies as we enter the kitchen.
He heads for the freezer and retrieves a couple of icepacks.
“Why do you have multiple icepacks?” I wonder, still cradling my hand. When he turns toward me, bumping the freezer door shut, I add, “Never mind. I bet you get in fights all the time.”
