Machete rubs his hands together like an evil villain.
“We’re going to need bleach, vinegar, an axe, and a bunch of duffle bags.”
“Felix, call the doctor.” I point at him.
“For what?” He looks me over.
“Jillian’s neck is cut. I want him to look it over.”
“Don’t you think enough people are involved in this shit? Is her * that—”
Without another thought, I slam my fist into his face, his head whipping to the side.
Machete grabs me by the arms, pulling me away.
“Get the fuck off.” I shake him away and point at Felix. “You’re my brother, and I love you, but, you don’t talk about my property that way!” I roar, my face inches from his.
Slowly, he turns his head toward me and spits blood onto the floor.
“Your what? Have you lost your fucking mind?!” he screams back.
“Wow, you really like this bitch, don’t you.” Machete looks astounded.
Closing my eyes, my fingers flexing, I glare at him. “Let’s just get this shit cleaned up.”
JILLIAN
Sitting on my couch with Jinx in my lap, I watch Machete leave.
“Call the doctor now,” Zeek orders Felix.
“I’m fine.” I stand, placing my hands in the little pouch of my hoodie.
“See, she’s fine.” Felix points at me, looking at Zeek in the kitchen.
“She’s not fine.” Mac shakes his head, eyeing my neck.
Zeek steps from the kitchen, his eyes shooting daggers at me. “You have blood dripping on your shirt, Jillian. You’re not fine.”
“I can go to the hospital then.” I gesture toward the door. Getting out of here doesn’t sound like a bad idea right about now.
“See, she can go to the hospital.” Felix raises his brows.
“She can’t go to the hospital, Felix.” Mac rolls his eyes.
“You know the hospital asks questions. Fucking call him, Felix.” Zeek’s voice is strained, borderline hostile.
Felix sighs and pulls a phone from his pocket. I can tell Felix doesn’t like me. The way he glares at me, his lip curling every time Zeek is near me. Well, the feeling is mutual, buddy.
Zeek grabs a tissue from the shelf and dabs at my neck. Pain shoots up my jaw, and I hiss.
“Dr. Stein is on his way.”
Taking the tissue from him, I nod and sit back on the couch.
Felix and Zeek head back into the kitchen, but Mac sits next to me. Glancing at him from the corner of my eye, he’s got this pretty boy look to him. He seems so out of place with Zeek and the rest of his brothers. Mac looks like he should be on the front of a clothing magazine or something.
“I can see why he likes you.”
“Excuse me?” I turn my head, looking at him full-on.
“You’re hot. Got this angelic thing about you. Being next to you, I just want to take that halo and set it on fire.”
Swallowing hard, I pull on my shirt nervously. How the hell did I get to this point, the place where a bunch of bloodthirsty criminals are in my house and a body in my kitchen?
“Mac, you hitting on my girl?” Quickly, we both look behind us.
“Nah. I was just playing nice.” His voice comes off eerie, laced with a touch of psycho. I see now how he fits into the Sin City Outlaws.
“Get your ass in here, and away from her.”
Mac looks back at me, the smile I thought was genuine now creepy.
“Gotta follow orders.”
Minutes pass—fifteen, maybe, but I can’t be sure—before Machete steps back into my house, humming. My eyes widen when I see a large machete over his shoulder, and I look at Zeek.
“Zeek, I was joking about you hacking him up in my tub!”
“Oh, do you want us to do it in the tub? If we keep it in the kitchen, it’s easier to clean up. We won’t have to wipe the evidence from both rooms that way,” Machete explains casually. Eyes wide, I slide them toward Zeek. What. The. Fuck?
Fear wracks my body to the point my hands begin to tremble.
“This, this is the guy everyone talks about. The ruthless, bloodthirsty outlaw. The one everyone fears, but I… I seemed to see straight through that and see the good in you,” I whisper, my fingers clenching my hoodie.
“Go ahead, boys.” Zeek steps around the couch and grabs my shoulders.
“That’s where you fucked up, Jillian. Every wolf has bite. Don’t be blinded by my kindness. I’m no choir boy, and never will be.”
Cupping my chin roughly, he kisses it.
“Now, I’ve got a mess to clean up.”
Sitting on the couch, I pet Jinx, wondering what the hell I’m thinking.
My mind drifts to what’s going on in my kitchen.
I should run.
I should pass out in terror.
I should be disgusted with Zeek.