Page 51 of Merciless Angel
“Oh?” I ran my finger through the sand, drawing random designs.
“After my parents’ divorce, I got worse. A lot worse. I shoved a hockey stick through some kid’s bike spokes. He flew over the handle bars and kissed the pavement. Broke a lot of teeth.” Daire paused, a wan smile crossing his face as he remembered. “Anyway, I knew that I’d go to jail for the rest of my life if I didn’t find a way to channel my violent urges in a safer way. My uncle got drunk at a family barbecue and hit my aunt one night, so I beat the shit out of him. Almost killed him. God, that felt fucking good.”
I studied Daire in my peripheral view. I’d never known anyone who enjoyed hurting people so much. Not even Raina who did it out of necessity rather than desire. Under other circumstances, Daire might have been a serial killer. I guess in his own way he was.
Not knowing how to respond, I asked, “Was your aunt okay?”
“Yeah, but I’m not invited to family gatherings anymore. Haven’t seen either of my folks in the past three years.” Smile vanishing, Daire’s expression grew hard and cold. “Guess that’s how it is when you’re the black sheep.”
My heart softened the slightest bit toward him. He’d never admit that there’d been a trace of pain in his voice. I stared at Cash and Blaze where they stood by the water. I didn’t want Daire to see the sympathy in my eyes. I doubted it would be well received.
Blaze laughed at something Cash had said and gave him a shove. When Cash almost fell into the water, he grabbed Blaze and pretended to throw him in. They were laughing and joking together, sharing a lighthearted moment that caught my attention.
Since I got wrapped up with these guys, I hadn’t witnessed any type of carefree behavior. They were always so intense. So stiff. I was reminded that they were human too. Although maybe just barely.
A cold splash of water hit me, making me shriek. Cash held his hands cupped, ready to scoop more water.
“Don’t you dare,” I admonished with an unbidden giggle. “It’s so cold.”
Cash scooped another handful of water and rushed toward me. Springing to my feet, I darted away to avoid the splash. Water dripped through his fingers as he chased me.
I ran in a circle around Daire who threatened anyone that got him wet. When Cash got too close, I slapped his cupped hands, sending the water he held flying. Most of it landed on Daire. Oops.
I didn’t hang around to experience his wrath. I ran for the trees instead. In seconds, all three of them were right behind me.
I shoved between the tightly packed trees. The three guys crashed through as they followed. Not wanting to be caught in the thick of the trees, I circled back to the path that would lead me back to the car. When they emerged from the trees after several minutes of looking for me, they found me leaning against the blacked out Audi.
“You little minx.” Blaze wagged a scolding finger. He pulled me into his arms and swung me around, making me squeal. “I should spank your cute ass for that, but I have something more fun in mind.”
“Save it for when we get back to the house,” Cash advised. “The last time I tried to fuck out here, a cop looking for a teen party caught me. That bastard gave me a ticket.”
We piled back into the car. Daire revved the engine a few times before putting the car in gear. A visit to the river had been nice. My head felt clearer, and my mood had lightened. Although it was no magic cure for the experience I’d recently had, it helped me feel connected to the world again.
We were almost back to the house when the conversation about an upcoming party took a turn.
“The Gods will probably be there too,” Blaze said, doing that hot little toss of his head that moved his hair out of his eyes.
Daire eyed me through the rearview mirror. “Speaking of the Gods, maybe there’s something you can help us with, Angel.”
I didn’t like the sound of that. Swallowing hard, I asked, “Oh yeah, what’s that?”
“We want you to find out from Raina when their next big cash or drug drop is happening. We’re going to sabotage it.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CLOVER
I gaped at Daire. Was he for real? He seriously thought I would screw over my best friend for them?
“I can’t do that,” I said, bracing myself for an unwelcome response. “Raina is my best friend. I won’t do anything to hurt her.”
Daire’s brows knit together in a glower. He turned his attention back to the road, jerking us hard around a corner.
“How will it hurt her?” Cash took a different approach, trying for calm and convincing. “It’s only drugs and cash. She doesn’t even go on these drops. The Gods won’t allow it. With good reason. Raina won’t be affected by it at all.”
The weight of his persuasive stare made my shoulders slump. I didn’t like the position they were putting me in. This wasn’t fair. It was not what I’d agreed to when they roped me into this mess.
“Of course she’ll be affected by it. That’s their business. Even if she’s not directly in charge or involved, it’s still her money. I’m not going to be part of robbing her.” I wished I felt as confident in my resolve as I sounded.