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A hand plants to the table right beside me, and when I finally look, Lev’s face is directly in front of mine. “What did those guys do to you?” he grits out, jaw clenched.
Maddox removes his hand from my leg and his chair inches back, though he remains seated. “What guys?”
“It was nothing,” I lie. “A few guys made me the butt of their fun for a couple minutes. No big deal.”
“I asked you if something was wrong when you sat down,” Maddox says sternly. “Ridge and I both did, but you said you were fine.”
My hands rise then fall before resting on the table. “Because I amfine.”
“She’s lying,” Lev says impassively. “When I found her, some fucker was holding her by the wrist.” He grabs my arm and pushes down the sleeve of my cream knitted sweater, exposing the imprint of the guy's fingers. Lev tosses my hand back at me and takes a step back, his fingers dragging through his hair as he mumbles some words under his breath. “He fucking did that?”
I’m not sure why he even cares. I understand Ridge and Maddox being upset about something like this, but Lev doesn’t give a damn about me, unless it comes to using me for his own selfish gain.
Maddox is now on his feet, drilling Lev for more information, when Ridge returns. Ignoring the two of them, he sets my soup in front of me, as if I’m really going to eat with all the commotion going on. I swear, all I want is one day where I’m not surrounded by chaos.
The next thing I know, all three of them are bickering, and it’s all over me. All I can think about is Lev and the gun. The thought of him pulling that out in a fit of rage terrifies me.
I have to get out of here.
None of them even notice when I grab my soup and my bag, and walk away quietly. If they wanna pry into my business, they can do it without me.
Lately, I feel like a damn bone, and the three of them are a pack of wolves fighting over me. I’m not sure if I should be flattered or pissed, but I’m a bit of both.
CHAPTER18
LEV
“What the hellhas gotten into you?” Ridge snaps. “Your mood swings are making us all fucking crazy lately.”
I chew on my bottom lip, trying to collect any bit of composure I’ve got, which isn’t much. “Riley left class quickly and I told Maddox I’d find her and bring her to lunch. He agreed and left, so I searched the nearby halls. I found her in the center of a group of guys, one of which was strangling her wrist. I told her to get out of there, then I took care of him.”
“Took care of him, how?”
“Knocked the fucker upside the head and threatened ’em all. Doesn’t matter,” I snap. “They’re not gonna fuck with her again, but I wanted to know what else they did to her.”
“Fuck,” Ridge sighs, “I shoulda been there.”
“I told you I handled it.”
“I appreciate that, brother.” He claps a hand to my shoulder. “As hard as I try, I can’t keep my eyes on her twenty-four seven.”
“Don’t thank me. I didn’t do it for you,” I say sternly. I don’t even know why I did it, all I know is I needed to see someone bleed for causing that look in her eyes. Only I get to be the reason for that look.
Ridge scoffs, but it’s the truth. I’ve got a really hard time not speaking my mind, and an even harder time letting people think I’m doing them favors. This wasn’t a favor for Ridge or Maddox. In fact, it wasn’t even a favor for Riley. Everything I do is for myself. Each day I find myself slowly changing, more and more, touching the emotional side of myself that once existed. But it’s always so short-lived.
My hope is that one day, I can fully embrace it again. That’s why I did it. Because Riley is my key to sanity, and no one touches what’s mine—except Ridge and Maddox, but even that irks me to the core. I don’t like to share, but if I have to, they're the only ones I’d ever consider sharing with.
Maddox pipes in and says he has to get to his next class, and Ridge says he’s cutting out for the rest of the day to make sure there’s no evidence of Cade left behind after the fire sizzled out.
I pull out my phone and send Riley a text, knowing she’ll respond because she has to.
Me: There’s an old cabin down Ruddiman Drive. Sits back between two tall evergreens. Big red door. You can’t miss it. Meet me there in twenty minutes.
If Ridge is going to check the arson spot, that means he’ll be in the vicinity of the warehouse and the cemetery, so my meeting spot with Riley has to change for today.
Riley: I have class!
Knowing she’s upset only brings a smile to my face.
