Loving War

by C. M. Owens

  Shit. Why didn’t she—

  My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I quickly pull it out to see I have two unread messages. Well, hell. I guess she did try to tell me.

  The first one is from twenty minutes ago, essentially relaying everything Dane just said. The second is from right now, and it’s her saying she’ll try to come see me if Raya gets to feeling better.

  “Should we go talk to Kade?” Corbin asks.

  Dane shakes his head, blowing out a harsh breath. “Nah. Wren, Rye, and Tag have this. They’re not coming tonight because they’re up at the vineyard, doing what they can to piece Kade back together. He keeps lashing out at everyone. I think Raya just needed a break. She’s a hell of a lot stronger than most people.”

  “No,” I say, sighing. “She just loves him a hell of a lot more than people realize.”

  I’ve seen the way they both look at each other, so I’m surprised Kade is pushing her away right now when he needs her the most.

  The talk of death goes away the second Maverick walks through the door, and we all yell surprise in unison.

  ***

  TRIA

  Raya is fast asleep on my bed. She finally cried herself to sleep. After Rain left to go meet the guys at the surprise party, I brought Raya to my house.

  I’m not as good with consoling as Rain is, but I’ve done everything I knew to do, including calling Brin and Ash over to help me.

  “She’s asleep,” I say with a sigh as I head into the living room.

  Ash smiles softly while taking a sip of water. Brin and I both grab the wine bottle we’ve almost finished off.

  “No wine?” I ask Ash.

  “I wish. But no. Tag rode with Wren and Rye out to the vineyard, so if Melanie calls with an emergency for Trip, I need to be stone-cold sober.”

  “Are you worried there will be an emergency?” I ask, concerned.

  “Always. It sort of goes with the territory of being a mother.”

  I grin at her before getting comfortable on the couch next to Brin.

  “You can head to the party,” Brin says, nudging me with her shoulder. Ash doesn’t know about Kode, so Brin doesn’t elaborate.

  “Nah. I’ll stay in case she wakes up.”

  Ash starts to speak, but someone knocks at my door, prompting me to run over and answer. Brin says something that has Ash laughing hysterically, and I smile like I’m infected on the way to greet whoever.

  Since it could be Kode, I stop in front of the mirror to make sure my hair isn’t wild all over my head. Then I swing open the door, only to gasp in shock and try to slam it shut immediately.

  My heart fires out rapid beats, thumping and pounding against my chest as panic sets in. A heavy black boot lands in front of the door, halting it from closing, and Pete Mercer shoulders his way in.

  “Thanks,” he says sardonically. “I’d love to come in.”

  I stumble backwards, looking at his freshly shaven head, his twisted grin, and his dark eyes that didn’t used to scare me so much. Blood hums through my veins, leaving me with a fearful fever. There’s not an inch of him that isn’t covered in menace.

  Man, maybe I do have daddy issues if I slept with this psycho.

  “You’re breaking the restraining order,” I say, pissed that my voice breaks three times.

  He laughs while shaking his head. “Prove it.”

  His long body is clad in jeans and a red T-shirt—blood red. His arms are corded with bulging muscles he didn’t have when we were together. If he were to hit me now, he’d probably break me with very little effort.

  “Why can’t you just leave me alone?” I ask cautiously, stalling for time.

  “Why? Fuck, Tria, it’s your fault I went to prison. You have no fucking clue what happens in a place like that. But I’ll show you. I’ll make sure you understand the hell I endured.” He grins the scariest smile I’ve ever seen in my life, and he cracks his fingers. “We’ll have long lessons that explain exactly what I went through.”

  Swallowing hard, I look up to see the determination in his eyes. It’s sharing space with his hatred that is seeping through every visible feature on his body. Even his muscles are straining with rage.

  He keeps stepping closer and closer, but suddenly he’s backing away, eyes wide in confusion. “Who the fuck are you?” he spits.

  “The bitch who just snapped a picture of you with her phone after you broke a restraining order,” Brin says flippantly, making my stomach lurch.

  She’s being way too brave. With a guy like Pete, you play submissive even if it’s just an act. He’s not a bully; he’s a psychopath. Standing up to him is the same as goading him to do his worst.

  “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Ash says, joining us, my metal bat in her hands. “Cops are already on the way.”

  Pete looks like he’s about to take on all three of us—and he probably could—but after a beat, he curses and turns to stalk away, leaving my door wide open and an ominous chill in his wake.

  My sanctuary is gone. This place was supposed to keep me hidden from him. Sterling Shore is a place packed full of homes and condos, so how did he find me?

  Ash blows out a breath while putting the bat down, her hands trembling. I can’t believe that was enough to intimidate him.

  “Who the hell was that?” Raya asks from behind us, startling the hell out of me. I turn to see her lowering her Taser gun. When the hell did she pull that thing out? How long has she been in here?

  “Pete Mercer. I guess he was a little surprised. You have a Taser gun?” I ask, noticing her poker face in place of her teary-eyed one.

  “Yeah, my dad’s FBI partner gave it to me as a birthday gift. Pepper spray, too.”

  “Man, I thought he was scared of me and the bat,” Ash says, laughing humorlessly while leaning back against the wall.

  Raya runs a hand through her already disheveled hair, and then she looks back toward the door.

  “Good thing you weren’t here alone. You need to go stay with someone,” Raya says, her own troubles forgotten as she focuses on my crazy drama.

  “You can stay with us,” Ash immediately offers.

  “Or you can stay with me and Maggie. You won’t have a parking spot unless you use the space across the road that my jackass neighbor doesn’t use,” Brin adds, forcing humor into the situation, something she always does to make people more at ease.

  “I’ll let you know,” I say with a harsh breath. Shit. I don’t want to stay with anyone. I hate feeling like I have to hide.

  “I need to get back to check on how the guys are doing with Kade,” Raya says while putting away her Taser gun, tucking it back into her purse.

  “You heading to Maverick’s party?” Brin asks, running her hand over my arm in a comforting motion. “To see Rain, I mean.”

  She means Kode, but she can’t say that aloud. Oddly enough, I really do want to see Kode right now. More than I did. It feels safe and peaceful in his arms, and right now, I’d give anything to feel that.

  “Um… yeah. I think so. I don’t want to be here alone; that’s for sure.”

  “We wouldn’t leave you alone,” Ash says promptly, reminding me how amazing she really is. “I didn’t really call the cops. I just ran out here with the first big thing I could find to hit him with. But you need to call them.”

  The police won’t do anything, and I know it. They never have really been of much use to me. I think they believe I’ll only go back to him, so they don’t see the use in stopping him before he hurts me.

  “I’ll go talk to them tomorrow. Not tonight.”

  She frowns, but nods. “You’d better.”

  I smile and head into the bedroom to change. No matter what, I won’t say anything to Kode about this. I’ll just suggest we go to his house tonight instead of hanging out at mine the way we planned.

  I’ll worry about finding somewhere to stay tomorrow.

  Chapter 10

  KODE

  Without Tria here, I’m half dr
unk with no one to take advantage of me. Maverick is facedown on the table after doing his row of birthday shots. Pansy.

  Corbin is surprisingly sober, considering the occasion. And he’s relaxing in the booth next to me while the madness rages on.

  “Kode Sterling, you drunk enough to play nice yet?” a girl I think I know asks, but I wave her off.

  “Not with you.”

  She says something that sounds reasonably insulting, and I shrug while Corbin laughs.

  “Not chasing ass tonight?” I ask him.

  “Not tonight. I spent the day helping Ruby set up her new shop.”

  My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Ruby was in town?”

  “Yeah. She’s going to be moving here soon. Her new shop is opening soon to the public. So I spent the day helping her look for a place to live. I also set up the finishing touches on her shop, and now I’m completely exhausted.”

  “She already gone?”

  “Yeah. She left about two hours before I had to leave to come here.”

  Before anything else can be said, a body is sliding into the booth beside me. “Not interested,” I say without looking. “Go find a guy who is.”

  “Okay,” Tria—oh shit, Tria—says, sliding back out.

  “Hey, sorry,” I say quickly, grabbing her hand and tugging her back toward me. A groan passes through my lips when I take in her strapless white dress that hugs her perfectly. “Didn’t know it was you.”

  She seems to relax as though she’s relieved.

  “Hey, Tria,” Corbin says, his eyes going back and forth between us when I pull her flush against my side.

  Damn, she smells so good.

  “Hey,” she says shyly, leaning against my side when I tug her even closer.

  “Kode, dude. You’re getting a little too touchy,” Corbin warns, but I flip him off while leaning over to Tria’s ear.

  “You look too sexy not to touch,” I tell her, kissing the side of her neck and smiling when she shivers.

  “Kode!” Corbin warns, growling at me like I’m an errant child that has to be chastened.

  “I can handle it,” Tria says while rubbing my knee under the table.

  I continue kissing a trail down her neck, ignoring my cousin’s exasperated groans. She tastes as good as she smells.

  “Tria, you don’t have to handle it. He gets a little too hands-on when he’s been drinking liquor. But he hasn’t been doing this shit tonight. Sorry. Just go find Rain, and I’ll deal with him.”

  I flip him off again before pressing harder against her. I’ve wanted to feel her pulled up against me since I left her house earlier.

  “Really, Corbin. It’s fine. I swear to you I’m a big girl and can handle him.”

  “You know exactly how to handle me,” I say against her ear, and her hand slides up higher on my thigh, pushing closer to the hard part of my body that has been dying to get back inside her.

  “If Dane sees him all over you, he’ll kick his ass—or try to—and that won’t be good. Then Rain will also try to kick his ass.”

  “Corbin, please. Don’t worry. I’ve got this. Promise.”

  Corbin sighs, but he slides out of the booth. “Well, I’m going to go make sure Dane and Rain stay away from the booth. Let me know when he passes out or if you need any help.”

  She laughs lightly, and I’m pretty sure she nods, but I’m too busy kissing my way down her neck to care.

  “You’re a little drunk, aren’t you?” she muses as Corbin leaves.

  Maverick snores loudly at that moment, eliciting a laugh from her. “I’m not as bad off as he is,” I tell her, glancing up to meet those endless hazel eyes. “Damn, you’re gorgeous.”

  She grins while leaning over and brushing her lips against mine. In this tall corner booth, it’s hard for anyone to see us. “Still want me to stay with you tonight?” I ask her, hoping she says yes.

  “Actually, I was hoping we could go to your place. You’ve invaded my space, so I think it’s only fair that I invade yours.”

  I grin while pulling her closer for a much better kiss, and she melts in my arms while kissing me back, not complaining about the fact I’m a little drunk, or the fact that I’m practically mauling her in the booth. She feels so right like this.

  “I’m good with that,” I say when our lips break apart.

  “I should go say hey to Rain before she comes looking for me. Can you behave in front of them?” she asks me, leaning over to kiss my neck.

  I groan while trying to get her in my lap. I’d fuck her here in the booth if I knew no one would see us. But someone would see, and I’d rather they not get that image in their head of my girl. I’d hate to have to go to prison after killing someone.

  “I can behave, but not for long. We can get out of here whenever you’re ready.”

  Her lips twitch in amusement before brushing mine again. “Just let me say hey to my sister. I’d wish Maverick a happy birthday, but it looks like it might have been too happy for him.”

  Her eyes land on Sleeping Beauty, and I snicker while nodding.

  She climbs out of the booth first, and I squeeze her ass once, earning a quick hand slap. But she grins over her shoulder at me, letting me know she’s just as into me as I am her. It’s a reassurance I wasn’t aware I needed. Apparently chasing a girl who was chasing my brother for all those years has done a number on my ego.

  But Tria isn’t chasing anyone but me. She came here tonight and didn’t hesitate to climb into the booth beside me. I’m the first person she came in to find, and her mind was focused on only me. It makes me want to kiss the hell out of her in front of everyone, but I know that would cause all sorts of problems. Especially if she found out the truth about that fucking letter.

  Damn. I really wish that terrible thought hadn’t just crossed my mind. Why the hell did I ever try to split Rain and Dane apart? I should have left it alone. Then I might have noticed Tria a little sooner instead of uselessly pining for a girl who was completely unobtainable.

  It’s not until we reach the others that I see her smile slip, but she quickly puts it back in place. The alcohol has dulled my senses, so I didn’t notice how forced that pretty grin was. But now I see it clearly.

  “I’m too tired to keep standing,” I say to the group, but it’s intended for Tria to step in.

  “Someone has to drive you home,” Rain says quickly. “You’ve had way too much to drink.”

  “I’ll drop him off. I’m still tired from having the girls over,” Tria says, stepping in like the angel she is.

  Corbin groans, apparently sensing something is up, and he narrows his eyes on me. I just shrug, acting bored with the whole scene, when really all I want to do is get the hell out of here and find out what’s wrong with Tria.

  “Tria, you don’t have to do that. We can call a cab and one of us can go,” Dane says, looking around for someone other than himself to take me.

  “It’s fine. Really. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”

  As she hugs the group, Corbin grabs me at my elbow to drag me toward the door, stopping when we’re a safe distance away.

  “I seriously hope you’re not fucking around with Tria to get at Rain. I can’t believe I didn’t catch on sooner. Dude, you’re going to destroy your relationship with your brother if you’re trying this shit.”

  I knock his hand away, and then I take a very menacing step toward him. I’m so sick of this shit.

  “I get it. I fucked up. Dane deserves to be pissed, but what I’m doing or not doing with Tria hasn’t got a fucking thing to do with Rain.”

  He tilts his head, looking more curious than intimidated. All this alcohol must be making me lose my edge.

  “You like her,” he says simply. “That’s why you—even though you’ve got too much liquor in your system—never touched a girl tonight. Well, I’ll be damned.”

  His taunting grin takes over his scowl, and I curse myself for revealing anything to the dick. Rolling my eyes, I take a step back. Befo
re I can respond, Tria is at my side, and my arm drops to land on her shoulders.

  “Take care of him,” Corbin says with his wry grin. He winks at Tria before pushing off from the bar and heading back toward the others.

  Tria doesn’t acknowledge him as she helps me out the door. Well, I let her think she’s helping me. I’m plenty sober enough to walk, but she might not have let me keep my arm around her in front of everyone if I wasn’t faking a stagger.

  As soon as we’re outside, I straighten up, and her eyes narrow on me as I pull her closer.

  “Faker,” she says under her breath, eliciting a laugh from me.

  “I’ve been drinking, but I’m plenty sober. How’s Raya?”

  Her sigh says it all. “She’s really worried about Kade right now. She’s lost because she has no clue what to do or how to help. She feels useless. She basically just needed some friends to vent to more than anything. She went back to the vineyard earlier.”

  I motion toward my car as she fills me in on the night. She says it was rather dull before she came to see me. I suppose her forced smile is because of her worry over Raya and Kade.

  She digs her hand into my pocket suddenly, and I grab her ass in response.

  “Down, boy. Just getting your keys.”

  She grins up at me, but it’s weighted, only partially sincere. She looks around as if she’s wary as we approach my car. I open the driver’s side door for her, and she pulls me down to kiss me. Hard. Surprising me.

  The door hangs open and forgotten as I move her to the solid back and push against her, kissing her back just as passionately. Her explorative tongue sweeps into my mouth, searching and seeking, and I grip her ass with both hands as I devour her.

  As quickly as it started, it’s over. She pushes me back, looking around again, and then she meets my eyes.

  “Sorry. I just really needed that.”

  My wolfish grin slips into place and I waggle my eyebrows at her. “At your service, Tria. You’ve got me all to yourself tonight.”