Unleashed (A Bad Boy Stepbrother Romance) (202 page)

The whirlwind enters my tattoo shop. All swagger, smug cockiness. But it means nothing to me, now. He’s just a whirlwind of trouble, scooping up all the shit he can into the eye of his storm.

Like I need that fucking turbulence in my life. Like I need all that damn collateral.

It’s been one day since I found out our parents are getting married. It’s been a day since he agreed to fight in some shady mob setup that is sure to land him – and anyone connected to him – in trouble.

There is no way I want to see him, and I already told him that.

But, still, there he is, pissing me off.

“We need to talk,” he says.

“About what?” I ask, pushing him into the small supply room in the back so Tina won’t hear us. Vials of ink, spare tattoo machines, books, and medical supplies sit on shelves. There’s a vacuum and a mop and bucket, too. We barely fit in.

“You already know what I think about this. You and I are over.”

This annoying grin parts his lips.

“It’s not funny.”

“It is funny.”

“It’s not,” I say. “Plus, now you’re involved with the mob.”

“Christ, Pen, I’m not
involved
. It’s one fight and I’ll win it.”

“Oh, you’re sure of that, are you?”

“I watched the tape. The guy’s powerful but slow. I’ll dance with him until he’s gassed, and then hold him. Easy.”

“You’ve got it all figured out, haven’t you?”

“All of it.”

He steps closer toward me, I notice that the veins on his arms are sticking out more, and that I can see muscle fibers under his skin.

“What’s wrong with you? Are you sick?”

“No. Just getting ready for the fight.”

I wait for him to say more, but he doesn’t. Growing exasperated, I shake my head at him. “So? What are you here for? What do you want to talk about?”

“I need you at the fight, Pen.”

“Why?”

“Because you’ll get to see me in tiny shorts.”

Despite myself, I laugh.

“Hey, it’s me. You’ll take what you can get.”

“No,” I say. He has a great way of ruining a joke. “No. We can’t do this.”

“Yes we can.”

“On top of the fact that I don’t want to watch you fight, it’s too weird. We can’t keep being together. It’s too awkward. We’ll be
family
soon.”

“So? Cross that bridge when we get there.”

“No,” I say firmly.

He steps closer to me, takes my hand in his and pulls it up over my head. He begins to kiss the underside of my arm, moves to my neck. I don’t want to, but I turn my head to the side, let him kiss me, let him smell me.

“Don’t tell me it wasn’t fucking unbelievable. I heard you.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Don’t tell me you don’t still want it.”

He presses my hand hard against the wall, pushes his body into mine. I can feel his hardness against my stomach.

“Pierce—”

“What good would it be for you to sacrifice something you want for the sake of your father?”

“It’s not about that?”

“Oh? Because I could swear you’ve got a guilt complex about it. About leaving him.”

“Shut up,” I say.

“Isn’t that what you told me at dinner?”

“Shut up, Pierce,” I say.

I’m angry, but he’s too strong; I can’t pull my arm down, can’t get out from under him. He pushes his forehead against mine, stares into my eyes. I see his wolf eyes.

“You’re telling me you want this to end?”