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Using his real name earned me a nasty glare. He ignored my question, fixing his attention on Maddox who glanced between the two of us while chewing a mouthful of pizza.
I eyed the tattooed black widow crawling up the side of Ruthless’s neck. Both of his arms were covered in full sleeves of ink. Among the myriad images was a sexy Medusa, a wilted rose, and Iron Maiden’s mascot, Eddie. I knew that his syndicate tattoo was on his upper arm despite being hidden by his t-shirt.
“She stays, Ruthless,” Maddox said. “This is where she belongs, whether you’re able to acknowledge it or not. It’s not up for discussion.”
Ruthless snarled into his plate, taking an aggressive bite off the strip of ribs. “She’s going to get us killed. The Crimson Thorns are looking for her and Archer already knows how to use her against you. Don’t be an idiot, M.”
“I’m kind of with him on this one,” I added, stuffing a forkful of cheesy pasta in my mouth. “If you just want to give me back my phone now, I’ll be on my way.”
Maddox shot both of us a death glare before leaning back in his seat and putting his feet up on the chair diagonal to him. “You’re not going anywhere, Maven. Do you really want to bring danger right to your sister’s door merely to spite me? There’s no safer place for you than here with us.”
He had a solid point about Rumer. If someone came for me and she got caught in the crossfire, I’d never forgive myself. Still, I had to give Maddox a hard time, which is why I said, “I don’t know about that. I think I’d be pretty safe with Wolfe and Ace. They wouldn’t take my phone and lock me in a room.”
“Give me a fucking break,” Maddox scoffed. “Those two are so used to schmoozing and manipulating to get what they want, I doubt they’d be much help in a fight. They’ve lost their edge.”
As much as Maddox tried to act like the bad blood with Wolfe was old hat by now, he couldn’t fool me. I’d never known anyone as tight as the two Hale brothers. The shadows that lurked in his eyes told a different story. Mads wasn’t okay with their separation. Ruthless wasn’t as easy to read. His face revealed nothing.
“I recall a time when Wolfe slit the throat of a man who tried to run you down with his car.” I used my fork to point at Maddox before popping a piece of broccoli in my mouth. “I sincerely doubt that he’s lost his ability to do damage.”
Picking a piece of green pepper off his pizza, Maddox flicked it onto a plate. “A lot has changed since you left, Vixen. Wolfe has gone soft.”
“And Ruthless has hardened,” I quipped.
Ruthless cast a deadly stare my way. “You have no idea, Baby Girl.”
The way he said his old nickname for me sounded harsher than I’d ever heard it. There was a cutting sharpness to the way it rolled off his tongue. Like a threat.
I held Ruthless’s piercing gaze, refusing to be intimidated by his malicious vibes. He’d always been the toughest of my guys, always ready to throw down in a fight no matter what the odds. However, he’d also been a caring jokester that could crack me up with a clever remark and would do anything for his loved ones.
I didn’t see that version of Ruthless anymore. Archer’s men had tortured it out of him. Although I hadn’t been at their mercy nearly as long as he had, I understood what he’d faced in my own way. It hurt my heart to see how it had changed him. Although it had changed me too.
“Well, I guess I’ll be around long enough to find out since Maddox is being a stubborn pain in the ass and won’t let me go home,” I muttered into my plate.
“Whatever. Just stay away from my bedroom, and don’t try to run.” Ruthless’s deep brown eyes sparkled with malice. “Because I’ll catch you, and I’ll have fun doing it.”
Something low in my core tightened at the danger in his tone. Why was I suddenly so tempted to make a run for it? I knew he wanted me to try.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m sure you will.”
Ruthless and I hadn’t been fully intimate, although we had certainly enjoyed each other. I didn’t doubt that we’d have come to that if I’d never left. I couldn’t help but think back to the time he fingered me in a movie theatre. My cheeks flamed, and I ducked my head so my hair fell to hide my blush.
The circumstances were less than ideal but being with the two of them tested me in every way. I’d missed them so damn much. The absence of Wolfe and Ace felt heavy, like there was something missing. Did Mads and Ruthless feel it too?
Ruthless shoved his chair back and rose, muttering something about taking a piss. He disappeared around the corner to the bathroom just off the living room. I stuffed food in my mouth to avoid having to carry on an awkward conversation with Maddox. He eyed me over his whiskey glass. I got the feeling there was something he wanted to say.
His phone rang then, making an annoying chirp sound. He pulled it from his pocket and glanced at the screen. “I have to take this. Don’t fucking move a muscle, Maven. I mean it.”
I made a rude face at him but said nothing. Maddox left the room, and a moment later I heard the front door open and close. I couldn’t help but feel like I’d been set up. Was this a test? Because if so, I was about to fail. There was no way in hell I could pass up an opportunity like this.
As quietly as possible, I slid my chair back and stood up. With silent steps, I rounded the corner into the living room. Ruthless probably wouldn’t be long. I didn’t have much time.
Both men manning the patio doors were standing just outside. Their backs were turned to me, and they were engaged in conversation. It was far too easy to sneak up on them. They stupidly assumed that Maddox and Ruthless would never let me get this close.
I moved fast, kicking out the back of one man’s leg. As he started to go down, I caught him around the neck and squeezed, choking him out. The second man whirled on me with a shout. He grabbed my arm, and I spun to nail him with a punch to the throat. Gasping and choking, he released me. I kicked him in the stomach, sending him down on his ass.
“Maven, what the fuck?” Ruthless’s shout rang out behind me as he thundered through the living room.
I ran like hell. Past the pool and across the grass with fast strides, I headed for the fence surrounding the backyard. As fast as I was, Ruthless’s longer legs helped him catch up. Glancing back over my shoulder, I saw how close he was and poured on the speed. It wasn’t enough.
