The Peer and the Puppet (When Rivals Play #1) - B.B. Reid Page 0,76

his side.

His head was bent as he listened to something she said, allowing me to see the tattoo peeking from beneath his jacket collar. Suddenly, the familiarity made sense. He had been at the abandoned building in Queens! If this Harlan guy was Exiled, that could only mean one thing.

Ever had just been made.

I NEEDED TO GET MY shit together. How could it be that in a city with over eight million people, I run into the one person eager to unmask me? Running into Wren was bad news, and every five seconds, I was looking over my shoulder. Jamie, knowing what running into Exiled could mean, was breaking every traffic law to get us back to Blackwood Keep.

“The way you guys were acting, you’d think that guy was part of the mob,” Tyra joked.

If only she knew how close to the truth she really was. When no one responded, she fell quiet. I could tell the encounter was still on her mind when she kept sneaking glances my way. I sighed and forced myself to relax for appearances. This was the last thing I needed. Someone else in my fucking business. Four hadn’t spoken since we left the city, and I preferred it that way. She had a great fucking birthday, so I mentally patted myself on the back and considered myself redeemed. After this, I could go back to pretending she didn’t exist and that I didn’t want seconds.

Jamie got us back to Blackwood Keep in record time. After dropping off Tyra and Vaughn, we made our way home with only music to drown out the tension. I knew Jamie was itching to question me about Wren, but he wouldn’t say anything in front of Four. No one knew about our deal, and I was keeping it that way. After hopping out of the Jeep, he shot me a look before disappearing inside the house. I peeked at Four lingering on the other side of the hood and twiddling her fucking fingers.

“You have something on your mind, so speak it.”

Her eyebrows rose as her hands curled into fists and dropped to her sides. “I didn’t know I needed your permission.”

I rested my forearms on the warm hood and met her glare. “It’s in the contract.”

“Fuck you.” She was damn cute when she got all snarly, but letting on how tempting it was to oblige her was out of the question.

“I’m pressed for time.”

My double entendre thickened the tension.

Her gaze lost focus.

She sank her teeth into her bottom lip to keep her excitement at bay, and my dick got rock hard.

Careful to hide my need, I twirled my index finger in a gesture to get her talking and fast. Jamie’s back seat was only a few feet away.

“Thank you for today.” After starting for the house, she muttered, “Prick.”

She only made it two steps before I caught her and pushed her against the hood. Her grunt ended with a growl when she felt me close in behind her.

“You’re welcome,” I whispered in her ear. And then I walked away before I did something idiotic. Jamie lingered in the foyer with a mocking smile.

“Hundred bucks she’s pissed but wet as fuck right now.”

I felt my lip curling, so I quickly turned my back. “Shut up.” Four’s pussy wasn’t anyone’s concern but mine.

“I like her,” Jamie rambled on. “I see more of the old you every day, and she’s the reason, cousin. I just know it.”

“There is no old me.” I headed for the stairs with him hot on my heels.

“I beg to differ. My former favorite cousin would have ridden her hard by now.”

“What the—she’s not a horse.” I felt my nostrils flare when I turned on him.

“Give me a fucking break. Of course, she’s not a horse. You can’t fuck a horse.”

I ran my hand down my face and counted to five. “Why are you so interested in my love life?”

“Who said anything about love?” He looked way too pleased about my slip. I knew it was time for me to shut the hell up. “You don’t…do you?”

“Don’t what?” I knew what he was asking but was hoping he’d just go the fuck away.

“Do you love Four?” he spelled out.

Did I love Four? What an interesting fucking question. Particularly because I hesitated when answering. Four was smart but naïve. Stubborn yet selfless. Fierce yet broken. And she could hold one hell of a grudge. She was pretty without being obvious, yet she made my dick harder than any girl