Assumption

Just thinking about how she looked that night causes my c**k to jump. I need to see how f**king long it would take to kiss that red off her mouth. Looking out at the sunset again, I can’t help but smile. I’m not buying a new bed for my room until she’s willing to help me pick it out and share it with me. Until I can convince her to move into my room, we will be staying in hers. I look down at my phone when it beeps.

Justin: Autumn is safe in bed. I’m running a cross-check on the names you sent. As soon as I know anything, I’ll send you the info.

I know Justin is a good kid, but I still hate that he’s there with her right now instead of me, even if I’m the one who ordered him to. I beat back the jealousy I feel and focus on what I need to do next.

Me: I get back tomorrow. Cancel all her e-mails/accounts and change her number. Now.

Justin: Already on it.

I look over my shoulder when I hear Link come out. I know he’s gonna want to know my next move, but until I get more info, my hands are tied.

“You good?” he asks, taking a seat across from me.

“Yeah.” I lean back, closing my eyes. “I need to make a few calls and see if I can get some info from a friend of mine before I head home.”

“I don’t envy you right now, man,” Link says.

I open one eye, look at him, and smirk. A pissed-off Autumn is a thing of beauty, and she’s going to be riled as hell when I get home.

Chapter 7

A Whole Lotta Like…

“Why’s my phone off and my e-mail not working?” I yell as I stomp into the living room, where Justin is still playing Call of Duty. I don’t know how I know, but I know he has something to do with it.

“You’re gonna have to wait to talk to boss man,” he mumbles, never taking his eyes off the TV.

“I’m asking you, so tell me why my phone is off, I no longer have an e-mail, and even my Facebook is gone…and I haven’t gotten on that thing in over eight months!”

“About that—you are not very photogenic. I think you should take some classes or something.”

“Are you frigging serious right now?” I pick up one of the throw pillows off the couch and start hitting him over the head with it.

“Stop! You’re making me lose the game!” He grabs the pillow out of my hand, tossing it across the room.

I start to run for it but then turn to see that he’s not even moving from his spot on the couch. My eyes travel from him to the TV then his Xbox.

“You better not,” he says, standing.

I lunge for the game system, ready to rip it out of the wall, when I’m tackled, but somehow, Justin flips us, taking the brunt of the landing, making me land on top of him, my thighs on either side of his waist. I reach for the pillow on the floor next to me and start to lift it above my head.

“What the f**k is going on?”

I close my eyes and press my lips together when I hear Kenton’s voice, and when I open my eyes, I glare at Justin before standing up and facing the door of the living room. I fight the urge to run to him when our eyes lock. I’ve missed him these last few days, and he looks even hotter than normal with the extra scruff darkening his jaw, making it appear squarer.

“I asked a f**king question. What the f**k is going on?” he asks, taking his eyes off me, pinning Justin with a ferocious scowl.

“That’s what I want to know.” I cross my arms over my chest and glare first at Kenton and then at Justin, who glares back at me as he goes to stand next to his boss.

“Your girlfriend’s crazy,” Justin mumbles to him loud enough for me to hear.

“Shut up,” I hiss.

“No, you shut up,” he retorts immaturely.

“No, you shut up,” I repeat, taking a step towards Kenton.

“Jesus, what the f**k?!” Kenton shouts, making me jump back.

“Why’s my phone disconnected along with my e-mail and Facebook?” I ask, directing my haughtiness at Kenton this time.

He looks at me for a long moment before his head drops forward, his hand going to the back of his neck. “We need to talk,” he says, lifting his head, looking me over. Then his eyes go to Justin. “Thanks for helpin’ out,” he says begrudgingly.

“No prob, boss,” Justin says and starts to gather all of his stuff up, shoving it all back into the same bag he showed up here with.

When he’s finished packing everything, Kenton walks him to the door, where they have a quiet conversation before Kenton pats him on the back and opens the door.

“See ya around, Copper,” Justin says over his shoulder.

I give him a wave, and he smiles before heading out of the house, the front door closing behind him.

As soon as Kenton faces me again, his eyes turn dark and his jaw starts to tick. “Come here.”

“Wh-what?” I stutter, looking at his clenched fists and the pulse of his neck, which is beating rapidly.

“Come here,” he repeats, the tone of his voice making me freeze in place.

“Why?” I ask softly.

“First, I haven’t seen or touched you in days and need to reassure myself that you’re good. Second, I need your help getting the image of what I just saw out of my head.”

His words have my feet moving before my brain even has a chance to catch up. I do a face-plant into his chest, wrapping my arms around his waist and breathing him in. Every breath I take eases some of the anxiety I didn’t even know I was feeling.

“What’s going on?” I whisper into his chest. His muscles tense and I’m not sure I want to know anymore.

“Let’s sit down.” He takes my hand in his and leads me to the couch, where he tugs me down into his lap. “Your place in Vegas was broken into.”

“Shit,” I whisper. “What was taken?” I don’t really have anything of value, so I’m not too worried, but it still doesn’t feel good knowing that someone broke in.

“Nothin’,” he says, surprising me.

“What do you mean?” I ask, searching his face.

“Found out that Mick was the inside source at the club the night of the shooting.” He runs a hand down my back. “He told them who you are, and we’re guessing it was them who broke into your place.”

I don’t want to believe that Mick was involved in what happened, especially because he and Tessa were sleeping together, but I’m not really surprised. Mick is a self-centered ass**le who doesn’t care about anyone but himself.