guy whose life I threatened almost two months ago.
“Please tell me we’re robbing the place,” Lou said as she bounced up and down in the passenger seat.
I didn’t answer her as I slid from the car. She met me at the front but stopped short when she saw my expression. Lou knew me better than anyone and could tell that right now was not the time to fuck around.
A few feet ahead, three vehicles were parked, one of which was a vintage-looking motorcycle.
Popping her hands on her hips, she rounded in front of me. “I thought you said you were taking me somewhere safe.”
I kept my gaze over her shoulder, watching the front doors of the mansion. “I am.”
“Then why are you looking like that?”
“Because I’m not sure I can trust him.” I felt the darkness fading away when I finally looked at her and said, “Especially with you.”
She chewed on her lower lip, trying to hide the fact that she was affected. Lou and I haven’t exactly been on the best terms since the night she threatened Fox. My reaction when I got her alone had been…explosive. I doubt she’d forgiven me yet. “Is he Exiled?”
“Not anymore.”
“Is he a friend?”
I hesitated to answer, wondering if the truth was best. Lou wouldn’t trust anyone who wasn’t a friend, but she’d also know if I lied, and then she wouldn’t trust me. Eventually, I said, “No.”
“Then if we’re not going to rob him, I say we leave,” she suggested eagerly.
I knew she wasn’t thrilled about getting dumped in some stranger’s lap, but we’d been on the run for almost a month, and I was quickly running out of cash and ideas. All the dirty money I’d earned over the years was currently stashed at my grandmother’s house, and it had been too risky to go back after our run-in with Fox. Our only saving grace was Lou refusing to go anywhere without her mother’s rucksack. It was her security blanket.
“We can’t leave, Lou. There’s nowhere else to go.”
Before she could argue more, the front door of the house opened, and a girl who looked a little peeved stepped out wearing a blue blazer and a tan skirt. Clutched in her right hand was a helmet.
Recognizing her immediately from all the reconnaissance I’d done, I stood up straight. I knew exactly who’d be following her in three…two…one.
The door flew open, and Ever wore a vicious scowl as he emerged wearing an identical uniform. He swaggered over to Four, who was already straddling the bike and buckling her chin strap, and pulled her off the bike.
“He doesn’t even fucking notice us standing here,” I muttered, feeling annoyed for some reason. Ever should have been careful and more aware of his surroundings. He had no idea who might be lurking. I gritted my teeth when I felt myself wanting to march over there and scold him. I shook my head, shoving away the feelings. Ever was nothing to me but a potential ally.
A second later, I realized I’d spoken too soon when he glanced over, and I could tell by the promise of pain now shining from his eyes that he wasn’t happy to see me standing here.
“Wren?” I heard Lou call as Ever pushed Four behind him. A heartbeat later, he was charging across the front yard. Four shouted his name, and when he ignored her, she ran back inside the house. Probably to get that douchebag that lived with them.
“Yeah, Lou?”
“Something tells me we’re not welcome,” she told me in a shaky voice.
I didn’t get the chance to confirm her suspicions. I had only a split second to push Lou out of the way and duck when Ever swung without a single word spoken. Before I could get trapped against my car, I quickly threw my weight into Ever, sending us both crashing to the ground.
Ever wasn’t pulling any punches, and neither was I. Hell, I needed to release this pent-up energy, and since fucking Lou silly was out of the question, I’d gladly settle for punching the shit out of Ever McNamara.
The sound of grunting and pounding flesh grew more intense, and I could feel my nose leaking blood, so I slammed my fist into Ever’s to return the favor. After finding out who he really was, I didn’t expect him to have this much fight in him. I was too distracted by kicking Ever’s ass and getting mine kicked in return that I hadn’t noticed when I became outnumbered.
The loudmouth