Page 76 of Hell on Wheels
Pursing my lips, I nod briefly before turning my gaze into the crowd. I know I can’t show any weakness when we know that Mina and her crew of mean girls are watching, but it’s hard. Striking at Reb is a perfect way to get to me, just like hitting me was an enormous blow for him. My worry over the guys is now quadrupled and I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from losing my temper in public.
This is bullshit. The only thing I did to that girl was set some fucking boundaries for treating me like a person.
Nothing about that warranted joining the Sickos and starting this terror campaign. It didn’t rise to the level of needing to gather a bunch of simpering sheep who are so gullible they didn’t fact check her story to help her punish me. My firm refusal to be abused verbally absolutely was not worthy of getting into bed with some big time mafia cronies to ruin my reputation and career. Everything that’s happened since I quit letting Mina walk all over me is the reaction of a deeply troubled woman with enough issues to put a therapist’s kid through Harvard.
Yet here I am having to worry that she’ll cross another cuckoo bird line and physically harm someone I care about. I mean, giving me a beat down wasn’t kosher, either, but if it had satisfied her enough to fuck off forever, I would have dealt with it. But it didn’t, and everywhere I go, there’s more danger lurking around corners because she simply cannot allow me to live my life.
“This is so damn exhausting,” I mumble as I lean into Angelo’s side. “We can’t fight back against Mina and her minions unless we want to become a media spectacle. That would ruin the racing thing for Reb and me, so that’s out of the question. But we also can’t hit her from the background because now I’m in the spotlight with you two over mating. Ihatebeing trapped.”
“We’ll get it sorted, Rogue,” Angelo says, his voice fierce as his hand grips my shoulder. “With all of us on board, we have enough resources to track down the people financing this and make them sorry.”
I arch a brow. “You realize I think this has to reach further than just Merra Stuhll, right? She’s a terror in Bay City and certainly rich enough, but she’s never cared what went on in her races as long as she’s making bank on entry fees and tickets.”
Archie and Javi reappear as D is about to reply, and I can’t help smiling. They’re shoving one another playfully, and my introverted demon stops looking at us to give them both a glare.
“You’ll spill Sparkles’ treats, assholes. Be careful.”
The smile gets brighter and I feel like a complete idiot, but Ienjoyseeing Damon assert himself a bit more. I know it’s because he feels like a genuine part of the group now; I can sense it through our bond. I hope he uses it to explore the things I picked up on, but that may take the right moment presenting itself.
Damned if I’m not committed to making that possible.
“Dragonfly, I have your non-alcoholic Maui, and this oaf has the pizza.” Javi holds my drink out and I take a deep drink, then blink at him.
“You had them make it like a bubble tea?”
His smirk is knowing, and I turn bright red. That bond I was just praising works both ways. I’ve never once ordered one of these things in front of them, but he figured it out. “If you can cheat, we can, too.”
“Shit,” Archie says as he gives me the gooey slices. “I should have raked your brain for special toppings. Damnit, Javi.”
I clear my throat, looking at them pointedly. “Gentlemen, you both get credit for grabbing things I like. That’s as far as I’m willing to assess the situation, so knock it off.”
“Sparkles is worried because dipshit went dark in her headphones,” Damon says as he snitches a nacho from Javier. “We told her not to worry because he’s probably just in his head, like always.”
They don’t get that Rebel never kicks me out of his head when he races and he never goes dark on the mic—not with me.
“Maybe,” I say doubtfully. “But if he’s concentrating that intensely, I think someone is pulling bullshit on the track. If that’s true, then what the hell is going to happen when I swap with him?”
The guys stop in place, looking at one another, then the twins say, “You’re not racing.”
Taking a long, slow sip of my drink, I stare at them. When I’m done, I blink and simply shake my head. “Nope.”
“Nope?” Archie frowns as I shrug.
“That’s correct. ‘Nope’ as in no way in hell are you stooges telling me what I will or will not do like a bunch of corporate dictators.” I take a bite of my pizza, making a sound of happiness as the spicy sauce hits my tongue. Once I finish chewing, I notice they’re still looking at me, fish-faced. “Being my mate doesn’t give any of you the right to issue orders; I’m not that kind of gal.”
Angelo groans, using his free hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. “Weknowthat. But you just said some fuckwit might bemaking a Mario Kart track out of the course. How did you think we’d respond to it? It took years for us all to come together and we’re reluctant to lose you, Princess.”
Ah, geez, now I’m gonna feel all girly.
My expression must betray me because Damon looks delighted, pulling me away from his brother to cup my face in his hands. I tense, worried about being publicly affectionate when there are enemies around, but the look in his eyes calms me. “Sparkles, that show at our father’s party puts you in an odd position. You’re a target—for those who already want to hurt you and the new people who have a grudge. But… it also places you within the Gemini organization. Directly challenging Luca before he can make his move is never a good idea.”
“So you’re saying because your parents want to kill me, other people will have to wait in line?”
“Sort of,” Angelo pipes up. “Anyone not elite enough to challenge his word will have to back off. Maybe that’s why they’re fucking with Reb.”
The thought makes me growl softly, which all of them seem to dig, but I’m serious. I hold back my most dangerous weapons because the Council says I have to. That doesn’t mean I won’t use them if I need to when my men are in danger. “There’s a benefit to believing my Fae side comes from someone in the Court of Reaping.”
Archie tugs me away from Damon, his enormous frame enveloping me as he squeezes me tight. “Wheels, I think I speak for all of us when I say your viciousness is hot as shit.”