Total pages in book: 180
Estimated words: 176012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 880(@200wpm)___ 704(@250wpm)___ 587(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 176012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 880(@200wpm)___ 704(@250wpm)___ 587(@300wpm)
Planting my hands on his chest, I shove him back. “Lucas.”
I clench my teeth, feeling his chest rise and fall hard under my palms. “What happens tomorrow?” I ask.
His eyebrows pinch together, but he doesn’t say anything.
For one second. Then two. Then five.
God, he has no idea.
“Why do you want me now?” I press.
He didn’t make love to me the other night at my house, or last night in the locker room. Why now?
Is it because he thinks he’s going to be arrested or killed? Would he be doing this without a threat hanging over his head? He isn’t thinking clearly. Does he really want me, or am I just the final nail in the coffin?
Fuck this.
I squirm out of his hold, planting my feet back on the ground. “I don’t want you like this.” I shake my head. “It doesn’t feel good.”
He should sit down, pull me into his arms, and talk to me, and I shouldn’t have to tell him that.
I back up, and he advances. “Come here,” he pants.
“No.” I swallow through the lump in my throat. “I want more.”
This is about him, and it needs to be about us.
I start to look for Aro and Dylan—my ride to get out of here while I still want to—but shouting draws our attention.
“She said no!” Farrow barks.
Lucas jerks his head over his shoulder, both of us seeing Farrow pull Codi away from Noah.
I retreat another step while Lucas is distracted.
Noah gets in Farrow’s face. No one around them is dancing anymore, everyone giving them a wide berth.
I look at Codi, deciding if I should grab her while I can. She just stands behind Farrow, where he put her, her eyes downcast and her expression blank. As usual.
“She didn’t say no,” Noah retorts. “She barely speaks, thanks to you!”
“I said no.” Farrow cocks his head, challenging him. “Hawke bought Aro with a tattoo. You want to fuck one of us, then you know what to do.”
“You’re pissing me off.”
Farrow’s eyes gleam at Noah’s anger. “Well, whatever will you do with me, then?”
Some of Noah’s racing buddies pull him away; although, the threat stretches between his and Farrow’s gazes, and more dumb shit is going to hit the fan sooner or later.
The dancing resumes, Farrow and Codi lost in the throngs of people, and I almost think I see the Dodge far beyond Lucas, cruising to the next block. Everything’s foggy. My heart thumps against my chest.
I can’t keep my voice from cracking as I address Lucas, “I’m not your suicide note.”
He twists back to me and digs in his brows, breathless with sweat on his neck.
I won’t be his last dance on his way to self-destruct.
“Why do I feel like I don’t know you all of a sudden?” I ask more to myself. “I want someone who will fight for me. Who will always fight for me.”
Whipping around, I slip through the crowd, searching for Aro and Dylan.
“Quinn!” Lucas growls behind me.
I glance back, seeing his six-three form squeezing through the partiers.
Halting in front of Dylan, I hold out my hand. “Give me your keys.”
She stops dancing and narrows her eyes, absently pulling them out of her pocket. “What are you up to?”
I snatch them, hearing Lucas behind me. “Quinn!”
I flinch, his bark turning into a bite.
“Quinn?” Dylan prompts next.
I turn back to her, but before I can reply, I blink, seeing it again. Far behind her head, on the street.
“The black Dodge,” I murmur.
Aro and Dylan turn, catching a glimpse of it as it disappears down the cross street.
“Quinn!” Lucas bellows again.
I shake my head clear. I need to get out of here.
I bolt, twisting my head around as I go to see Lucas staring me dead in the eyes as he shoves some guy out of his way. Firecrackers pop and sizzle over our heads, and he’s beautiful. His wet shirt sticks to every dip and ridge of his torso and stomach, and his jaw has a day of scruff on it. I’ve waited for this night with him practically my whole life, but it’s not him anymore. He’s hiding, he’s afraid, and he’s lying.
I run, pounding the pavement in my sneakers to where Dylan parked one of my brother’s Mustangs, both she and Aro hot on my heels.
“Quinn!” Lucas shouts.
I suck in a breath as I glance up the street, catching the Dodge’s taillights disappearing around a right-hand turn.
“What are we doing?” Aro bursts out as all of us climb into the car.
I stick the key into the ignition. “I don’t know.” I tremble. “Maybe follow that Dodge for a change.”
“Ohhh,” Dylan coos excitedly.
I don’t know why I’m doing this, but everything under my skin burns, and I ball my fist, nearly slamming it down on the damn dash.
Damn him.
I need a distraction. I check the rearview mirror, then glance over my shoulder to make sure no cars are coming, and pull away from the curb, not even bothering to put on my seatbelt.