Maddoc said when they started using it as a party pad, they had two walls knocked out so the den, living room, and kitchen area all become one wide open space. He said they wanted to be able to see every corner so they were always aware of what was happening around them.
Royce lifts his hand, three darts slid across his palm, he nods. “Bet I can whoop that ass in darts?”
“You won’t be whooping her ass at anything.”
I turn to Maddoc. “Neither will you, big man.”
He turns to me with a brow raised making me laugh.
“All right, I’ll rephrase, let me metaphorically spank that fat ass ‘til it leaves a perfect imprint of this big ass hand so everyone knows who laid it on you...in darts...metaphorically.” Royce crosses his arms proud, but can’t hold it in and starts laughing and I join in.
Maddoc throws a bottle cap at his brother who dodges it.
“I’m gifted in the art of a target. I’d embarrass you.”
“Get out—”
“For real, man, Raven’s got some serious aim.”
All eyes jerk to Leo.
“Oh yeah...” Royce drags out, slow and looming.
Leo stares at me and I force myself not to narrow my eyes.
I know what he’s doing. He’s testing the situation, looking to see who, if any, I’ve got wrapped up like he assumes – his motive is still in the air.
I said I’d let him run this show.
We’ll see if he buries himself.
“Hell yeah.” The bastard licks his lips, holding his eyes on me a moment longer before looking to Royce. “At the cabins, she ...” He trails off, wiping at his mouth with a grin. “She put on a good ass show. Proved she could hang.”
“The fuck?” Maddoc questions, sitting forward with his elbows on his knees, but he glares over his shoulder at me.
In my peripheral, Royce’s glare hits me just the same, but I don’t look away from Leo.
His lip twitches just the slightest.
This bitch.
“So this the route you wanna go?” I ask him and he lifts his head, but I don’t miss the shift of his feet.
“No hard feelings, I expected it.”
Funny thing, words, and the many ways one can interpret the meaning behind a sentence. I didn’t want this for him, hoped he’d come to his senses. Clearly that’s not happening today.
“You think you know me, Leo. That was your first mistake. You think I’ll take your words as a threat, that I’ll laugh it off and keep my mouth shut because the seed’s already planted now, right?” The room grows silent. “Well, I’m not a little bitch like you seem to be. So you can sit here and make it seem like I was on your jock at the cabins when we both know that’s far from the truth.” His eyes harden as I lean forward. “But let me ask you, why exactly, do you want the Boys of Brayshaw to think I fucked with you when I never even attempted?” I raise a brow slowly.
He pauses a second, making his decision – it’s the right one, but a few too late.
Leo laughs, but it’s nervous and before he can attempt to dig his way back, I stand, dismissing him.
He just showed them he purposely tried to get under their skin – the shovel is officially in his hands. No going back now.
“I’m a boss at darts, Royce. Sure you want your ass kicked?” I go to step forward, but Maddoc’s hand shoots out, gripping my jeans by the pocket.
I glance back, tipping my chin lightly as I slide my fingers over his, and his hand starts shaking. I squeeze, giving an almost unnoticeable shake of my head.
I’d never, big man.
His eyes cut between mine, and as if he understands, he lets go.
I head over to Leo and Royce. Royce, who hasn’t stopped glaring at the side of Leo’s head.
I stop in front of Leo and in my peripheral, Maddoc stands as Royce steps closer. Leo’s jaw locks tight and when I hold my hand out, he drops the darts inside.
“I gave you a choice,” I whisper for only him to hear.
“Fuck you,” he hisses, and I grin.
“Not even with the tip, Leo.”
He steps back, laughing again like we shared some joke and grabs his keys off the stool. “I’m taking off. See you guys tomorrow.”
He doesn’t say a word or make eye contact with anyone on his way out the door. The second it shuts, I’m practically ran into the corner by Royce