The Raven Four Books 1-3 - Jessica Sorensen Page 0,94
the seat just behind me. The smell of cigarettes and cologne mix with the scent of breakfast lingering in the air. “I doubt that with how innocent your mind is.”
I roll my eyes as I scoot over and put a bit of space between us. “I’m far from innocent, and I think you know that, considering you read all about me and my messed-up mind.”
“Yeah, you’re definitely messed up in the head,” he agrees. “But, in some ways, you’re really innocent. You’ll have to get over that, though, if you’re going to be part of our circle.”
“Again, I never agreed to be part of your circle.” I eyeball the menus on the table as my stomach grumbles, but since I didn’t bring any money, I don’t pick one up.
Apparently, Hunter finds my stomach grumbling amusing because he glances up from my phone with a big, old grin on his face. “Hungry? Or did you eat a baby gremlin this morning?”
“It was the latter,” I lie, not wanting to let on that I’m starving. “And it was delicious.”
He chuckles, shaking his head, then returns his attention back to my new phone. “So fucking adorable.”
I give him a dirty look. “Stop saying that …” I trail off as a younger woman with red hair, wearing a fancy black dress and heels, approaches the table. She has a smile on her face, but it’s far from friendly. She also looks familiar, but I can’t place from where.
“Boys,” she greets the guys as she comes to a stop beside the table.
And just like that, the air around the guys changes, shifts, tenses, both Hunter and Zay going rigid as they glance up at her.
Hunter pales as he clutches my phone. “What the fuck are you doing here?” he asks in a startlingly clipped tone.
“I come bearing a message.” Her eyes stray to me. “But I was also a little curious to see what all the fuss is about.”
Zay slides his arm underneath the table and into his pocket. When he pulls his hand out, he’s holding a pocketknife. “There’s no fuss, so give us your message and get the hell out of here. This isn’t your territory.”
“Thank God for that,” the woman replies with a repulsed face as she peers around the diner. “This place is a dump. It’s part of the reason it was even given to you—because no one wanted it. Seems pretty symbolic if you ask me.”
Wait … Does that mean these guys own the diner?
What the actual shit?
Zay sets the knife on the table. “Tell us the message and get the hell out of here before we make you.”
The woman rolls her eyes, but a drop of nervousness resides in her expression as she fleetingly glances at the knife. “Whatever. Like I even want to be here. I’m just doing my job.”
“You mean, your job of playing my dad’s whore?” Hunter smirks at her. He seems to have collected himself but still appears mildly pale.
Just who is this woman? His dad’s mistress maybe? If it is, I feel sorry for him.
“Aw now, don’t be jealous.” The woman extends her perfectly manicured fingers toward him, and Hunter swallows hard.
“If you touch him, I’ll slit your throat, Diane.” Jax appears behind her with his arms crossed.
The woman—Diane—stiffens as she lowers her hand. Fear illuminates in her eyes, but she hastily collects herself before turning to face him and plastering on a sugary sweet smile. “Jax, so lovely of you to join us.”
Jax stares her down hard. “Wipe that stupid smirk off your face, tell us the message, and get out before I make you.”
She puts her hands on her hips. “Whatever. You’re all just a bunch of spoiled brats.”
“Isn’t that like the pot calling the kettle black?” Hunter mumbles with a frown.
She glowers at him before she again collects herself, smoothing her hands over her dress. Then her attention locks on Jax. “I was sent here to deliver a very important message, but it has to be in private, which is why he didn’t send you a text.”
“Go ahead and tell me,” Jax demands. “You know whatever you tell me, I’ll tell my circle.”
“Yeah, but she”—she flicks a glance at me—“isn’t part of your circle, is she?”
Jax’s gaze sweeps across me then looks back at Diane. “Fine. Come with me.” Then he starts across the diner again, heading toward the hallway that he went into earlier.