AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No, he doesn’t. He meant his dick, but he should know better than to joke about food with you. I think you should make him watch us next time without allowing him to touch himself. Lord knows he could do with some impulse control. Better yet, lock him out altogether. Punish him, Cupcake,” Phoenix grumbled as he shifted his sling. Porter’s eyes grew comically large, a pout transforming his face as he stared at me, begging not to.
I didn’t have the same reaction. A dark shudder ran through my body at the idea of punishing Porter. His eyes changed as he watched me, and he shifted in his seat as he rubbed his jeans, which seemed a lot tighter than a second ago.
“See! Point for me,” Phoenix grumbled.
“You okay, Nix?” I asked, picking up on the anger running underneath his comments.
“I’m fine,” he mumbled, shuffling lower in his seat. The lust I’d seen earlier in Porter’s eyes vanished as he became concerned about his twin. Porter assessed him, but Phoenix brushed him off. I turned back around, wanting to let them work it out.
Rueben pulled up to a two-story house a few minutes later, the neighborhood quiet this late at night. Light poles dotted the streets every few feet, cars parked in driveways with perfect lawns, and not a piece of trash littered the streets. I didn’t know if it was idealistic or a bit Stepford, but it would work for now. We only planned to be here one night, anyway.
My phone vibrated, and I fought the urge to check it, hoping it was Darcy coming through with where I could find Steel Strike. I was determined to take my nemesis out tonight before we struck the mark tomorrow. It would be one less thing for me to worry about, and that eased my mind. I felt terrible for not telling the guys, but they’d only interfere, and I needed to do this quickly.
We settled into the house, going to bed shortly after. Time dragged on as the hours ticked by until I could leave without anyone noticing. Darcy had sent the location where my nemesis was staying, proving my theory right, they were tailing us. I wouldn’t be able to rest now until they were eliminated. I wouldn’t let Steel Strike near the guys ever again.
In the early hours before dawn, the house finally felt settled as the snores of the guys filled the room. I’d chosen to stay with the twins, knowing they were deeper sleepers, and I’d be able to sneak out and be back before anyone was ever the wiser.
Lifting Porter’s arm, I slid out of bed and crept to my bag. Silently, I pulled on my black pants and shirt before stuffing my feet into my boots. Once I had my pack together, I stepped toward the balcony doors and opened them slowly. I’d practiced earlier, ensuring they wouldn’t make a heinous screech when opened. Taking the front door seemed too risky, so I opted for the balcony. There was a tree nearby I could swing to and then jump down.
Taking a deep breath, I jumped and caught my hands on the branch, swinging my body weight a few seconds before vaulting to the next branch. Two more jumps and I touched the ground, the house as dark and silent as I’d left it. Smiling, I let the adrenaline rush through me as I took off down the street. I didn’t want to risk anyone hearing a car pull up, so I’d wait until I was out of the neighborhood to find a ride.
I was two blocks over when high beams came to life, blinding me. Crouching down, I covered my eyes and blinked to regain my vision. The car door slammed, and I reached for my knockout spray. Footsteps louder than what Steel Strike should have sounded in the dark night.
Stepping out of the beams, I glanced around to pinpoint where the attacker was coming from. When they stepped into the stream of light, I lifted my hand to spray, my finger on the nozzle.
“Little Bird,” Otto cooed, my finger a nanosecond away from spraying him. My heart beat in my chest as I tried to regain my breathing.
“Strawberry Shortcake, Otto! I nearly knocked you out.” I placed my hand on my chest, holstering my spray.
“Maybe you shouldn’t sneak out in the middle of the night then,” he admonished, his tone more hurt than accusatory.
“You snuck out first,” I pointed out, motioning to the fact he’d been waiting for me.
“Only because I knew you would. I’ve been sitting out here for hours. I almost thought you were going to prove me wrong.” He stepped closer, his hands going to my hips. I tilted my head back to look at him. “Why, Raven?”
Using my name shouldn’t have hurt as badly as it did.
“It’s my business, and I didn’t want any of you to get stuck in the crossfire.” I stuck my chin out, my stubbornness in full force.
Otto moved one hand to my face, brushing my hair back before resting it on my neck.
“You’re part of a team now, baby. We don’t do things alone. That’s how you get killed.”
“I’m doing this,” I gritted, ignoring how my body wanted to cave to the sweetness. Otto smirked, and I knew I wouldn’t like what he was about to say.
“Fine. But I’m coming with you.”
“No.” I didn’t have to think about it. He wasn’t coming. He’d only get in the way.
“Then we’re going back.” He shrugged his shoulders like we were debating that peanut butter and chocolate weren’t the world’s greatest combination. It was—if you thought otherwise, you were clearly wrong, like Otto.
“There is no way I’m doing the job tomorrow until Steel Strike is taken care of.”
“I love how you say taken care of like you’re talking about taking out the trash. It’s cute, Little Bird.”
“It’s not cute. It’s badass. I’m the trained killer, so get out of my way, or I’ll make you.”
“You might be able to take me; I’ll give you that Little Bird. But I doubt you could take Ruebenandme.”
