Obediently, the child sat down on the floor, holding her foot out. Killyama sat cross-legged as she opened the nail polish. She delicately proceeded to brush the pink polish on the nail beds, trying to hold her hand steady as Train made himself comfortable on the couch.
She felt his eyes taking her in, going from the bright red polish on her toes to her black shorts, and then raising his eyes to her black and white tie-dyed shirt. She almost touched the skull and crossbones bandana at her throat. Forcing the new habit back, she made herself keep painting Star’s nails nonchalantly, as if his presence in the room didn’t bother her.
“You’re looking good.”
“You talking to me?” she asked snidely.
“Yes.”
She scoffed. “I always look good.”
“Yes, you do.” Appreciation glowed in his eyes. “You’re a beautiful woman. It would be hard for you not to see that when you look a mirror.”
“Dude, save your compliments for the w-h-o-r-e-s.” Conscious of the little girl listening, she spelled out the word.
“You want to go for a ride?”
“Viper cool with that?” Killyama set the foot she was working on down, reaching for Star’s other foot.
“Viper doesn’t tell me who to spend my time with when I’m not working. I’m off for the rest of the day.” He paused. “There’s a movie showing at the park. We could take a blanket and watch it.”
“I’m busy. Ask … Jewell.” She had almost mentioned Sasha but managed to stop herself from revealing that she knew the woman was out of jail.
“I’m asking you. If you don’t want to, I can hang out here with you. Or we could go to the Destructors’ clubhouse.”
Killyama set Star’s foot down, telling the girl, “Go see what is taking your mom so long?”
“It’ll ruin my polish!”
“If it does, I’ll fix it before I leave.”
“Promise?”
“I said so,” Killyama said calmly, not wanting to take her frustration out on the child.
As soon as Star was out of earshot, Killyama lithely stood then advanced toward Train. “Since when do you want to take me riding? The only sucker in this room is you. If you want payback, take your best shot. If not, then get the fuck out of here.”
Before she could blink, Train dragged her down to his lap. When she would have punched him, he twisted her hands behind her back with one of his.
She fiercely tried to struggle out of his hold. Using her legs—the only part of her body she could still use—she attempted to throw herself off the couch. However, Train circumvented her move by using one of his long legs to pin her down.
She reared her head back when he lowered his to hers. At first, she thought he was going to kiss her. Instead, he stared deeply into her eyes. Unlike her, Train was eerily calm.
Seeing she wasn’t going anywhere until he was ready to let her go, or she yelled for help, which she refused to do, Killyama settled down on his lap.
“That’s better.” Train stroked his thumb over her collarbone, just beneath the bandana.
“Don’t touch me!” she hissed.
Train moved his hand to her waist, her abdomen quivering under his touch.
Remaining quiet, she hoped he would go as soon as he said what he apparently wanted to say.
“I do want to pay you back, but not the way you’re thinking. I want to pay you back for the last night we were together.” Train brushed his lips over the corner of hers. “You can’t fuck a man like that and not expect him to come back for more. It’s been two months since I felt you under me.”
“I would think the only thing you’d remember about that day was Sasha.”
“I was angry, but I’m over it. It actually worked out for the best. Shade found a way to fix Sasha’s problem, and Moon’s, too. You actually did us a big favor. If you hadn’t forced our hand, Sasha would still be hiding out. Now she can do anything she wants—stay in Ohio or Treepoint.”
“She didn’t get jail time?” Killyama pretended not to know.
“No.” Train travelled his mouth to her jaw before slipping down to her neck. When his lips would have nuzzled the bandana, she used her forehead to move his head away. The mark on her neck was barely noticeable, but she kept it covered so Sex Piston wouldn’t ask questions.
His eyes crinkled in amusement as she carefully watched his reaction, trying to ascertain whether he knew she was lying or not. Other than humor at her situation, she didn’t see any tells. He could be deceiving her, though, but why would he? Shade had given his word not to tell The Last Riders she had helped Sasha out of jail.
Payback is the only reason he’s here, she told herself, despite his denial.
Train must have seen the distrust in her eyes.
“I’ll tell you what. Spend another night with me, and we can call it even.”
“I’m done making deals with The Last Riders.”
“Not even one more?” He inched his hand up higher to cover her breast, searching for the nipple that was aching for his touch.
Her mind kept switching sides. One part of her wanted him so badly it was worse than the addiction she’d had when she quit smoking. The other part of her could imagine him standing over her dead body, using his boots to grind her into the dust.