work for the government, Slater. Pretty sure kidnapping is frowned upon.”
She works for the government? What the hell am I mixed up in?
Slater smiles. “Baby. Notorious gang, shootings and illegal car racing. Pretty sure that shit is already frowned upon. Anyway, kidnapping is nothing,” he says in a matter-of-fact voice while casually placing his hands into his jean’s pockets. “Plus…” Slater glances at me and winks “…Lana is an old friend, it’s more like a forced get-together.”
The woman blows out a big breath and her eyes meet mine. “I’m Piper.” She smiles and sticks out her hand to me.
I take a step back and look to Slater. “She’s with the boys in blue and you’re calling her baby?”
“Piper isn’t a cop, she’s a protection officer for kids,” Slater replies and my eyebrows shoot up. For as long as I’ve known the Kings, they’ve run from and hated Child Protective Services.
“It’s a long story,” Slater replies to my surprised expression, and when he does Mack steps into the room and walks to the back wall. Leaning against it, he watches me.
My blood boils instantly. Why does he have to be here? He’s made his feelings towards me quite clear. So why the hell is he anywhere near me? When I realize my stare has turned cold and angry, I shift my gaze to Piper and decide to see what kind of woman she is. Not just anybody can be with a street thug. I’ve watched enough women leave Rex calling him insane and they’ve been right most of the time.
“So you’re the one my brother is trying to kill,” I state in a detached voice.
Piper's eyes narrow dangerously. “I hate your brother. If I ever meet him, he will not walk away with his balls still attached.”
It takes a lot to hold back my grin when Slater bursts out laughing. She’s fiery, and this has to be one of the few times I’ve ever heard Slater laugh.
Piper doesn’t take notice of Slater as she decides it’s time to stand her ground. “I thought you might be different from your brother. Actually, I’d heard you were. But it seems we need to get a few things straight—”
“No need,” I interrupt. “I’m nothing like my brother, in that I’m not upset about my father’s death.” Piper gasps as Mack and Slater visibly stiffen. “However, I do love him whether he’s an asshole or not, and while I couldn’t care less if he has balls, I will be the one who has to listen to him bitch about it.”
I give her a wink to let her know I’m just messing around and Piper surprises me by understanding and smiling. “Ooh, I like you.”
I smile.
Piper looks to Slater. “You said she was shy and I’d have to be nice and gentle with her?”
My eyes meet Slater’s curious ones. “Well, it seems a lot has changed in the past five years. Can’t say I’m not happy you finally found your backbone, Lana.”
“Slater,” Piper admonishes.
“It’s okay, Piper. Slater’s right, back in the day I was pretty pathetic.”
Piper frowns and Slater says, “That’s not what I mean.”
And Mack growls, “Don’t talk about yourself that way.”
I physically feel as if my eyes glaze over with ice as I turn my death stare toward Mack, but say nothing to him. We all stand in silence for a moment before I decide to break it, but not before I notice Piper’s curious eyes darting between Mack and me.
Did he keep us a secret all these years?
“Not to burst anyone’s psychotic bubble, but I do know none of you are going to hurt me. I’m not Rex, who believes y’all are the devil incarnate.”
Directing my next words to Slater I say, “You took the only family my brother has left. He hated you before for taking just one, how on earth did you think this would help?”
Slater places two fingers between his lips and lets out a high-pitched whistle. Within seconds Pacer enters the room, my head twists left to right, noticing I’m suddenly surrounded by Street Kings. Just missing one–Kelso.
“Because, Lana…” my eyes find Slater again “…this is all we had left to try. If this doesn’t work then Rex will leave me with no other choice but to kill him.”
My breath catches and my shoulders stiffen. “You can’t,” I declare softly, yet firmly.
Slater sighs heavily. “What other choice do I have? Let him hurt Piper, definitely not,” Slater finishes with a growl.