I catch sight of Jae’s Acura TLX as soon as we get outside. He offered to pick me up today, but I didn’t realize just how much he’d stand out. He’s parked front and center, leaning against the hood with his arms braced behind him. Several girls stop and give him appreciative looks, a few are brave enough to introduce themselves, but he barely glances their way, his eyes focused on me and a genuine smile on his face.
“What is he doing here?” Emilio asks, dark shadows crossing over his face.
“He’s my ride,” I offer with a shrug. For whatever reason, these two decided to immediately dislike one another. Too bad they’re going to need to work past all that, especially if I move in with Jae which is sounding more and more likely. Okay, it’s pretty much a done deal. I’ve thought about his offer all day today and to be honest, it’s not like I have any other option. I don’t know what this is between Emilio and I, but I do know it’s too new for us to shack up together. I texted Monique during class when my teachers were distracted to get an outside opinion and she seems to agree. If I want things to work with Emilio, we need to move slow.
Besides, Jae is my friend. He’s always been there for me and I appreciate him being there for me now. If he wasn’t, I’m not sure what I would to. I’d probably have to drop out. I’d need a job to support myself and Luis, and I’d still be in a bind when it came to childcare.
Emilio’s arm wraps around my waist, his hold possessive and his voice filled with irritation when he says, “Why? Allie or Aaron can take you home on their way to work. Your place is on the way to the Sun Valley Station. Hell, I’ll let coach know right now I’ll be a few minutes late to practice and I can take you. It’s not a big deal.” His fingers clench on my hip and I wince.
If it’s not a big deal, why is he trying to turn it into one? “Jae is my friend. He offered. I accepted. He’s literally been driving me to school all quarter already, so this isn’t new. Don’t make a big deal out of nothing,” I plead.
If anything, his face only darkens. “I don’t know him,” he bites out.
“And he doesn’t know you. Why don’t you two make nice and be friends?” It sure as hell would make my life easier.
He snorts. “Not happening.”
I rub my temples and remind myself that now isn’t the time to get in a fight. Especially over something as stupid as who drives me home. I can already tell that moving in with Jae is going to be a problem. One Emilio is just going to have to deal with.
“I’m going to go home. Go to practice before you’re late.”
Emilio’s nostrils flare, and the next thing I know he jerks me up against him. Luis is still in my arms, but that doesn’t stop him as his mouth presses down on my own. One of his hands tangles in my hair, holding me in place while the other cradles our boy so neither of us drops him. The kiss is angry. His teeth bite at my lower lip until I open for him and then he devours my mouth like I’m his last meal.
It ends almost as quickly as it began, and I’m left standing on shaking legs when he steps away.
“Just a ride?” he questions, as though I’m somehow the untrustworthy one. I force my irritation down and give him nod.
“Yeah, man. I’m just giving her a ride,” Jae says, having moved closer. His words are innocent enough, but there’s the hint of suggestion in his tone and Emilio doesn’t miss it. “You all set?” Jae asks, ignoring the tension that’s building between them. He places his hand on my shoulder and Emilio’s eyes laser in on the touch, his hands now fisted at his sides in a white-knuckled grip. Dominique and Roman both take steps forward, flanking their best friend in an aggressive show of support.
You have got to be kidding me. They can’t possibly think it’s okay to act like this.
“Really? You guys are going to go all machismo now? Don’t you dare even think about starting something. Jae is my friend. What are you thinking?” Roman and Dominique say nothing. Stupid Devils.
Allie tugs Roman’s arm and he reluctantly allows her to pull him away, but not before shooting a warning look at Jae that screams, I can and will hurt you. I roll my eyes before giving Aaron a pleading look and tilting my head in Dominique’s direction just as Kasey joins our group. He gives me a shake of his head. So much for being one of the girls. All right then. No help from him. I try Kasey next and I can tell she’s considering it. Her eyes flick between Dominique and Emilio, her lips pursed together. I catch a spark of mischief in her gaze, but also hesitation.
“Please,” I mouth.
Jae plucks Luis from my arms and habit has me letting him. Immediately, I know it’s a mistake. It’s only confirmed when I hear Emilio bites out, “I don’t want him around my kid,” as he takes a step closer. I shift to intercept him.
“Excuse me?” Where is this possessive asshole crap coming from?
“One of us will get you to and from school. You don’t need him to do that, and I don’t want him around Luis. I don’t know him and I sure as shit don’t trust him with my son.”
I rub my temples with my fingers, a headache already blooming. Jae says nothing for which I’m grateful. His eyes narrow into slits but he does the right thing and keeps his mouth shut, letting me deal with Emilio’s sudden hostility. Luis grabs for his cheeks, smooshing his face and attempting to blow raspberries against his skin. It’d adorable, but only serves to piss off Emilio more.
“Can you buckle him in his car seat?” I ask Jae and he nods, turning to put Luis in the car. Before Emilio can argue I grab his hand and tug him closer to the building away from the growing crowd that is all too interested in what one of the school’s Devils is getting himself into. Sometimes I really hate high school.
“You don’t get to dictate who I spend my time with,” I remind him as soon as we’re a safe distance away. “And you do not get to dictate who I have in Luis’s life.”
“I’m his dad—”
“And I’m his mom. Jae giving me a ride and being in Luis’s life doesn’t change that any more than Dominique or Roman being in his life.”
The muscles of his jaw flex. “You know he has a thing for you.”
I don’t answer because yeah, I do. And admitting that right now isn’t going to do me any favors.
“Jae has been there for me. As a friend,” I rush to add when Emilio opens his mouth. “I’m not going to all of a sudden cut him out of our lives because you say so.”
Emilio’s stare burns through me as he takes a step forward until we’re little more than an inch away from one another. His hand comes up to wrap around the column of my throat, his hold possessive. He runs his thumb over my jaw and slowly over my bottom lip. I stay still the entire time, waiting to see what this beautiful boy will do when his anger rides him like this.
“You and Luis are mine.”
I quirk a brow.
Fire licks his gaze as his teeth scrape over his bottom lip. “Say it.”
“Say what?”
His grip tightens just enough to be a warning. “You’re mine.”
“What happened to getting to know one another?” I ask. “Taking things slow.”
He backs me up against the wall and presses his body against mine. I can feel his cock dig into my stomach, already hard. “You said you wanted to take things slow. I never agreed.” He captures my lips in a drugging kiss. How does he undo me like this? His hand moves from my throat down to my chest where he squeezes one breast before trailing down my body to rest his hold on my hips.
“People are watching,” I gasp, tearing my mouth from his.
“You think I care?”
I push at his chest because while he might not, I certainly do. His mouth trails kisses down my neck and he presses his pelvis against me, letting me feel every glorious inch of him. My pussy clenches and I force myself to keep from melting into his touch.
“Emilio—”
“Bibiana—” There’s a warning in Emilio’s voice and he bites at the juncture between my neck and shoulder. I hiss and before I can do more than that, he st
eps back. I rub at the slight sting and turn an accusing glare his way.
“Was that really necessary?” I ask.
He shrugs. “Just marking what’s mine.”
“You don’t own me,” I remind him.
“Keep telling yourself whatever you need to hear.”
I shake my head and brush past him, Jae already seated in the driver seat of his car.
I check on Luis to make sure he’s properly buckled and that his chest clip is resting where it’s supposed to before climbing in the passenger seat. I meet Emilio’s stare through the windshield, his face still tight and eyes glaring.
Jae squeezes my knee in reassurance. “Everything good?”
I nod. “Yeah. Let’s go.”
He puts the Acura in drive and Emilio steps out behind the car, watching us leave. I sigh. I have a feeling he isn’t going to take the news of me moving in with Jae very well. Which is why I’m not going to tell him. At least, not anytime soon if I can help it. Now, I just need to figure out a way to keep him from finding out. Easier said than done.
twenty-two
I’m supposed to be defending my receiver, but I’m taking every chance I get to slam into my teammates during scrimmages. Fuck the plays. I’m going on the offensive. There’s a fucking monster simmering beneath the surface of my skin and I need a release. Bashing helmets isn’t going to cut it.
What was that guy even doing here? Jae. Pfft. And why the hell would she call him? Today is her first day back. I told her I’d be there. That I’d help. Pull my weight. I thought we went over all of this at her place. I told her she was my responsibility too. I want to take care of her and Luis, but she doesn’t even give me the chance.
Dominique throws the ball long, aiming for Roman who is rushing toward the end zone, his cleats flying across the field as the ball spirals right for him. We’re playing blue, the other half of our team wearing red. I see one of the guys in red coming my way and I bend my knees, angling my shoulder to take him right in the gut. My smile is savage when our bodies connect, and I hear the air rush out of him as he takes the full brunt of my aggression. My feet slide back across the wet grass, but I manage to stay upward as he stumbles back, crashing flat on his back.
“Fuck!” he shouts, his chest rising and falling as his fists hit the ground beside him. He doesn’t get up and I hear Coach’s whistle putting an end to the play. I walk over to my teammate, seeing his number and knowing right away it’s Carson-fucking-Bailey. “Did you have to lay me out like that?” he growls, trying and failing to push himself up with his hands. He slumps back, his helmet bouncing on the ground and I shrug.
“Yeah. I did.”
Coach comes up beside me and slaps my shoulder, but I barely feel it. “Hold onto that fire for this weekend’s game. We need it,” he tells me as he reaches down to pull Carson up. “But lay off your teammates.” He pauses. “At least my starters.”
I chuckle. “Sure thing, Coach.”
Carson tears off his helmet and flips me off as soon as Coach turns away. “Fuck you, Chavez. I thought we were cool?”
I take my helmet off and brush past him, making sure to shoulder check him along the way. “Not sure what gave you that idea.”
He curses. “I didn’t even talk to her, man.”
I don’t bother turning around. He doesn’t deserve my anger, but it fucking sucks for him because he’s going to get it. “Line up!” Dominique shouts and everyone hustles back into line.
“I’ll be in on the next play,” I tell him and nod toward one of the juniors on the bench. “You’re up.”
He startles to attention and then runs for the field, Dominique already shouting for him to hurry his ass up. I stalk toward the locker room and drop my helmet on the bench. I need to get my head on straight, but I can’t get the image of her sitting with him out of my head, my kid in the back seat. They looked like the perfect fucking family. Is that why she said no to marrying me? Fuck. To dating me. Because she’s already got her eyes set on someone else?
I drag my hand over my face and kick the locker. I need answers. Spinning in the combination to my lock I tear my locker open and dig through my bag for my cell phone, but before I even have a chance to unlock the screen, a call comes in.
Antonio’s name flashes across the screen and my stomach drops to my feet. Shit. My fingers fumble as I rush to answer, bringing the phone to my ear, my heart lodged in my throat. Is our little sister okay? Did Raul do something?
“What’s up?” I ask as sooner as the call goes through.
“Where are you?” His voice is tight, and my panic increases tenfold.
“School. Football practice,” I tell him.
“Can you get away? Somewhere quiet where you can be alone?”
My brows furrow. He doesn’t sound upset, just… tense.
“Already am. I’m in the locker room. I needed a breather. What’s going on?”
“Sit down.”
“Bro— ” I cover my apprehension with a laugh. “Get to the point. Who died?” I joke, because if anything had happened to Sofia, he would have told me by now.
“Raul.”
What? I stumble back onto the bench and clench the phone to my hear, hunching over as I stare at the ground. There’s a ringing in my ears. Antonio is still talking but I can’t make out his words. I catch pieces of what he’s saying but none of it is making any sense. “Missing. Found at … drunk. Choked on his own…”
I shake my head to clear it. “He’s dead. You’re not fucking with me right now?”
There’s a beat of silence. “Dad is dead.”
I haven’t heard him call Raul “Dad” since Mom left, and for some godforsaken reason, hearing it makes my insides twist into knots. It hurts. A physical pain I can’t describe, and all because a fucker who needed to die finally did.
“Don’t call him that. We haven’t had a dad in years. If Raul died, as far as I’m concerned, good riddance.”
“Fine. We’ll skip over the tears and heartfelt trip down memory lane. But we have a problem?”
I snort. “No. We just got a solution to our problem. A big fucking one at that.” There’s movement on the other line already, like he’s stepping into another room.
“We have Sofia,” he reminds me.
“What about her? She’s safe now. We don’t need to worry about that fucker hurting her anymore.” I rub at my chest, trying to alleviate some of the ache. Maybe I took a hit on the field and didn’t realize the pain at the time. I can’t think of another reason for feeling this way all of a sudden.
“No. Now we have to worry about social services taking her.”
Hold on a minute. “You can’t be serious.” She’s our sister. Our blood. We’re family. You don’t take family away. Social services didn’t give a shit about us when Raul was leaving bruises behind. Why the hell would they get involved now?
“I’ve already gotten a phone call. When the police were called after a maid at the hotel found his body, they ran his records. They know he has kids, and they know Sofia is a minor.”
“She has us. It’s not like she’s alone. You and I are both over eighteen. We’ve got this.”
He exhales a harsh breath. “You’re an eighteen-year-old high school senior,” he reminds me, and I can hear the thread of panic in his voice. He’s serious. Sofia can be taken from us all because our deadbeat father kicked the bucket. Will this man never stop ruining our lives? He even has to do it from the goddamn grave?
“You’re not. You have a job. You can be her legal guardian.” I still don’t understand what the problem is.
“I have a record, E.”
All the blood drains from my face. “That was three years ago. They can’t—”
“They can. It was assault with—”
“You were defending yourself!” I roar, slamming my fist against the locker. “You were defending us.” Antonio did what he had to do to keep us safe, but our asshole of a father pressed charges even though he was the on
e who swung first.
“I know. Doesn’t matter though. That’s not how they see it.”
“Fuck.” I start to pace. “What are we going to do? How do we fix this?” There has to be a way. Letting social services take Sofia is not an option, I’ll run with her if I have to. I know Antonio will too. My mind strays to Bibiana and Luis. Shit. I can’t take my sister and run. I have my own kid to think about too. Goddammit. What a mess.
Would Bibiana leave with us? I could convince her if I had to, right?
“Roberto is on his way. I called him before calling you. He put in for leave when I told him about Luis. It was approved.”
“But for how long? We can’t count on him to—”
“We’ll figure it out, okay? We have to.”
I grind my teeth together and nod, not that he can see it. I don’t have a lot of faith in our eldest brother, but if he can stick around long enough for us to figure this shit out, that’ll be enough. Then he can crawl back to whatever desert they have him stationed at and go back to pretending his family doesn’t exist.
“So, what do we do in the meantime?”
“You get your ass home. We need to show the case worker that we’re a stable, loving, family. That we can provide the type of environment Sofia needs to thrive in. They’ll be here tomorrow to interview us. I need—”
“I’ll be there.”
He lets out a relieved breath. “Thank you.”
I snort. “You don’t have to thank me. She’s my baby sister too.”
“I know.” He sighs. “But you’ve got your own kid now and—”
“And nothing. I’ll let Bibiana know I’ll be busy for a little while. She’s bringing Luis to school now, so I’ll still get to see him every day. We’ll figure it out.”
Savage Devil: A Secret Baby, High School Bully Romance (Devils of Sun Valley High Book 2) Page 15
