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“Yeah, well I can’t say he was wrong to worry. That MC is trouble.” I met Rumer’s gaze through the mirror,and she winked.
“Why do you think I like hanging at their clubhouse? It’s never boring. Do you know how passionate a man is in bed after he beats the hell out of another man? Never mind. Of course you do.” Rumer shot me a knowing look and piled her blonde locks into a high ponytail.
Her words caused a memory to flash through my mind. Maddox pinning me beneath him as he held me by the throat, entering my body with deep, rough strokes. The blood of his opponent still stained his skin.
I shook myself free of the flashback, taking a deep breath to calm the heat that had ignited in my belly. “Don’t remind me.”
Rumer finished tying her ponytail into place and turned to face me. “The memories are hard, huh? Maybe you should reach out to them, Mave. It’s been a long time. I know they miss you.”
We all knew that it hadn’t been the four of them that I’d run from. It had been Maddox. He’d been a mess after his father’s death, and I’d paid the price. How could I face him now? Would it feel the same between us as it once had? Or was our past love dead in the water?
“Yeah, maybe. I’m not quite ready for that yet. I need some time to settle back into life here.” Avoiding her piercing stare, I focused on my reflection and getting my winged liner as close to perfect as possible, making my greenish blue eyes pop.
“Come to the club with me tonight after dinner. Just to have a few drinks and dance. It’s been ages since we hung out.” Rumer stepped out of the room to spritz herself in perfume, thankfully not trapping me in the bathroom with a cloud of scent.
The last thing I wanted to do was get drunk in an MC bar. I offered her a half assed response before disappearing into the spare room to change. Since it was a casual dinner with my parents at their house, I opted for jeans and a cropped tank top. A mist of tropical body spray left me smelling fruity. My hair fell down my back in loose curls, perfect for nervously running my fingers through.
Visiting my parents shouldn’t have made me nervous, but it did. My father had a way of knowing when we were lying. I expected him to take one look at me and know all about my trouble with the Crimson Thorns.
Rumer insisted on taking her car, which was fine with me. The silver Lexus was her pride and joy, something she’d worked hard for and saved up to buy despite our parents offer to cover it. High school had left her with a spoiled crime princess reputation that she’d worked hard to leave behind.
She’d worked several jobs out of high school before starting her own party planning business. The amount of weddings she booked was impressive, keeping her steadily busy along with everything from milestone birthdays to graduation events. I was proud of my sister. Still, I worried about her choice in men and recreational activity.
When we entered the gated community where our parents lived, my nerves kicked up a notch as I prepared myself for the third degree. My mother was waiting at the front door, flinging it open as we strode up the walk.
“My little girl,” she gushed, throwing her arms around me. “It’s so good to have you back. Please tell me that you’re staying this time. It’s not the same without you around.”
Dorian Hart overflowed with love and good vibes. I could always count on my mom to welcome me with open arms, no matter what. Her blonde hair was freshly colored, not a hint of gray visible. The arms that wrapped around me were toned and strong, evidence of the time she spent in the home gym she’d set up in the basement. It was rare to catch sight of her not put together. She wasn’t a sweats and messy bun type of lady.
“I think I am,” I grunted, hugging her back as she squeezed the air from my lungs. “I’m not really sure what I’m doing, but I’m here. It’s so good to see you. I missed you, Mom.”
Rumer received the same tight hug treatment even though she’d probably seen our mom less than a week ago. We followed her inside, my gaze darting about for my father. Probably still in his office. Even though he’d technically retired from the syndicate, he still helped manage the books for Maddox and Ruthless.
When the four of them had separated, splitting into two organizations, the news had been jarring. Devastating really. Deep in my soul I knew it was because of what happened the night the Archer syndicate grabbed me. That night had changed everything for all of us.
“Your father is in his office,” Mom confirmed, flapping a hand toward the staircase before waving us into the kitchen. “Come have a cocktail with me before dinner. There’s a charcuterie platter we can snack on.”
We passed through the living room, entering the kitchen where the aroma of food hung heavy. My stomach growled, reminding me that I hadn’t finished my lunch earlier. While my mom made margaritas, Rumer and I helped ourselves to the platter of meat, cheese, fruit, and crackers.
I sat at the kitchen island, munching a few grapes and a piece of cheese. The three of us made small talk, catching each other up on things like how work was going for me and the trip her and my dad planned to take to Hawaii. Ruthless’s father lived there now, having retired there shortly after the death of Maddox’s dad. She prattled on about how nice his place was, and how she’d love to buy a retirement property there as well.
Taking a sip of the drink she handed me, I paused after the first swallow, surprised at how strong it was. “Geez, Mom, is this pure tequila or what?”
“Sorry about that. I may have mixed it a bit on the strong side.” She flashed me a smile and turned to take a roast out of the oven.
“Mine is fine,” Rumer said with a shrug, piling a thick layer of cheese onto a cracker. “That smells fucking great, Mom. I miss eating your cooking every day. Fending for myself is the shits.”
My mom bustled about the kitchen, finishing up a garden salad she pulled from the fridge. “I’m trying a new dressing tonight. Something I threw together myself. I hope you both like it.”
I opened my mouth to reply, cut off by the sudden chime of the doorbell. Quirking a brow, I asked, “Are you expecting someone?”
Mom cast a half glance over her shoulder at me. “Your dad invited someone to join us. Would you mind grabbing the door, Maven? Finish the rest of your drink first.”
Jaw dropped, I stared at her in horror as adrenaline slammed through my veins. “No he fucking didn’t. Tell me that he didn’t do what I think he did.”
“Just go answer the door. It’s rude to leave guests waiting.” Mom waved a hand at me to get moving, returning her full attention to the meal prep.
I cast a helpless glance at Rumer who shrugged and shook her head. Whatever this was, she wasn’t in on it. The blood drained from my face as I tossed back the rest of my margarita and slid off the island stool. My knees threatened to drop me.
