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“They might not want you dead, but they won’t go against their gangs when push comes to shove,” he said, a hard edge to his voice. “They want Little Haven. When they find out—and theywillfind out—who we’re with, they won’t choose you.”
I knew what he was saying was the truth. I really did. Yet his words still sliced through my heart. It was because I’d met the real Jace and Kian. They weren’t just the lethal gang members everyone saw. I’d seen Kian’s sweet side when he rented out an entire ice-skating rink when I’d told him I’d always wanted to skate but never had. Jace used to set up weekly picnics for the two of us on the beach.
That summer, I got to know them, and no matter what had happened since they arrived on campus, I still couldn’t forget about the good memories. There were only a few, but there had been more than enough time for me to fall hard. For both of them.
“It’s just sex,” I finally choked out, forcing away the memories. “I know how this will end.”
“You want sex?” he growled. “You don’t need to go running into the arms of those assholes. I’m right fucking here.”
“You’ve barely talked to me,” I retorted. “You’re the one who kissed me in the shower, Gage. Then acted like it was nothing. You’re so back and forth, I can’t keep up.”
His hold stayed tight on my wrists as he stared at me, his expression unreadable like it usually was. But I’d gotten to know him well enough that I could tell he was hesitant about saying something.
“I met Ellie when I was a young teen,” he said quietly. “She helps people—kids—who are trapped in lives they can’t escape. That’s why she knew your brother. She was going to get him away from the gangs.”
My mouth went dry as I listened, my body tensing at the mention of my brother. “What does this have to do with anything?”
“She helped me,” he muttered. “I was in a dangerous world and wanted out. She made that happen.”
“Her life is dangerous too,” I responded. “What you’re doing now—”
“It’s different,” he cut me off. “I enjoy this kind of world, Rynn. I’m fucking good at it. It was the people who owned me that were the problem.”
“Owned you?” I repeated, disgust rolling through me. “Who—”
He finally released my wrists and took a step back before scrubbing a hand down his face. “Don’t. I don’t like talking about my past. That’s not what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to explain why I haven’t done anything since I kissed you.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Then explain.”
He looked like he’d rather do anything but have this conversation as he fell back against the wall, his dark stare staying on me. “The people I left weren’t too happy about it. There had been a deal in place. I was supposed to come back, but instead, Ellie made me disappear. I’ve done jobs in the shadows for her ever since.”
“What does that have to do with fucking me?” I asked, enjoying the flare of shock in his eyes before he masked it.
“I’ve stayed quiet for a reason,” he answered stiffly. “But now that I’m on the radar of Grimrose and the Disciples, they might realize where I am.”
“Who’s they?” I questioned, my gut twisting.
He ignored me. “They’re dangerous, Rynn. And if they come for me, the first thing they’ll do is hurt the people I care about.”
“So you’re trying to protect me,” I said, processing this new information. “From who, Gage?”
“I don’t want to talk about that right now,” he snapped. “If I find out they’re getting close, then I’ll tell you. I don’t think they know I’m in Little Haven.”
“What happens if they find out—”
“That’s it,” he cut me off. “I’m not talking about it anymore.”
And grumpy Gage was back in full force. Not that I blamed him; I didn’t like talking about my past either. We stood there in a tense silence, staring at each other. I broke first, shaking my head and turning my back to him. My mind was racing with what Gage had told me, and it only made my nerves worse. We had enough enemies to deal with, and I didn’t like that there was more added to the list now. Especially those who wanted to hurt Gage. As much as he infuriated me, I worried about him. I didn’t want to see him hurt.
“Where are you going?” Gage asked from behind me as I made my way toward my small kitchen area.
“You said you didn’t want to talk about it anymore,” I tossed out over my shoulder.
“I don’t want to talk about my past anymore,” he corrected me, his voice getting louder, telling me he was following me. “Our conversation is nowhere near finished.”
I rolled my eyes. “You want to talk more about my sex life?”
A cry escaped me when his hand was suddenly tangled in my hair, and he spun me around until I was facing him. He wedged me between the counter and his body, keeping his fingers firmly in my hair. My spine dug into the counter as he pressed forward, causing me to lean back until I was nearly lying on the counter.
