Untitled Book 2(38)

 

“Definitely the worst pillow talk ever,” I grumble, closing my eyes. “Quit now, Vinnie, while the amazing sex is still in my head, and my body is sated, my mind all mushy.”

 

“I’m just saying,” he says, getting off me and sitting with his feet on the floor. “We better go out there or I’ll never hear the end of it. I’m kinda hungry anyway.”

 

“Worked up an appetite, did you?” I ask as I look around the room for my clothes. He’s thrown them all over the place in the haste to get me naked.

 

“Here,” he says, picking up my panties and handing them to me. “Red looks good on you, by the way.”

 

“I’m surprised you even noticed,” I tease, putting them on, then my matching bra. I turn to see him putting his pants back on.

 

“Trust me, I notice.” He slides his T-shirt back on. “Are you ready? We haven’t been gone that long.”

 

I snicker at that. “What? Didn’t think you lasted that long, did you?”

 

He looks at his watch and flashes me a smug look. “We’ve been gone for two and a half hours.”

 

My eyes widen as I slide my jeans up my thighs. “Really? Shit. They might have finished eating. You heard Faye’s evil plan.”

 

Fully dressed, I try to tame my hair. “Ready when you are.”

 

He stands behind me, pressing himself up against me. “I’m always ready.”

 

Holy shit. He is hard. Again.

 

“I don’t know whether to be impressed or scared,” I say, making him laugh. With his hand on my lower back, I brace myself to face the crowd. When we step outside, everyone cheers and catcalls, and it makes me want to hide my face from them forever, but instead, I sit down at the table with dignity, while Vinnie goes to get us some food.

 

“Not bad for Vinnie,” Anna says, nudging me with her shoulder.

 

“Leave her alone,” Lana chastises, but then adds, “But I have to agree.”

 

I groan and sag in the chair, making the women laugh.

 

“So what did I miss?” I ask them, looking from face to face.

 

“Nothing, we were pretty much just discussing you two,” Faye says, shrugging. “Oh, and binge eating.”

 

Clover runs up to me with two other kids by her side, a boy and a girl. “Shay, where did you go?”

 

Just kill me now.

 

“I just had a little nap,” I lie, ignoring the laughter from the peanut gallery. “Have you been having a fun time with your friends?”

 

“Yep,” she says, bouncing on her feet. “Cara and Rhett are my besties.”

 

“Cool,” I say, watching the three of them run inside. “Cute bunch of kids.”

 

“You’re telling me,” Anna says, pushing her hair out of her face and looking at Tia and Bailey. “Next generation of Wind Dragons right there.”

 

We spend the rest of the night eating, drinking, and just having a good time. By the time it’s over, it’s late, and I’m exhausted. I help clean up, then head to the bathroom for a shower. Vinnie fills the bath for me though, undresses me, and carries me in there. I grin when he hands me a book, the one I’d left on his side table. So much has happened today, so many things have changed. We left the house, we came here and they let me stay, and now we have to sort things out with Talon and come up with a new plan to save me.

 

I just hope no one gets hurt in the process, because I’d rather turn myself in.

 

And if worse comes to worse—maybe I’ll have to.

 

 

 

 

 

TWENTY

 

 

Vinnie

 

 

One week later

 

“TALON called,” Sin says so only I can hear. “I told him you’ll meet him at Rift tonight.”

 

I nod. “About time. He probably only just realized she was missing.”

 

“I think Talon is a lot smarter than we give him credit for,” Sin says, sinking two balls on the pool table. “Don’t underestimate him. I have a feeling there’s something about this whole situation that we’re missing.”

 

It was highly likely.

 

I play my shot and sink the red ball, then take a sip of my beer. “It’s been so quiet, nothing’s fuckin’ happened around here. I don’t get it.”

 

“You upset someone isn’t pounding on our compound’s door?” Sin asks, raising an eyebrow in amusement.

 

“’Course not,” I say, sitting down on one of the stools by the bar. “I just don’t understand it. I know the Kings are involved somehow, I just don’t know how they fit into this, and it bothers the fuck out of me. I don’t want to get too comfortable, you know? Forget why we’re here in the first place. Shay’s hungover from drinking with the girls last night. This place has turned into a huge party. Don’t get me wrong, I want her to enjoy herself, but I can’t enjoy anything until I know that she’s going to be safe and the threat is eliminated.”