“What shit?”
I clamp my mouth shut. He wouldn’t understand. We can’t do this one Will Pitman’s way.
This guy has been one of my friends for twelve years. I may avoid being alone with him like the plague, but we have still built a friendship. At least I think we have.
A dude once spilled his drink on me in a club in New York. Pit shut that motherfucker down for the night after the dude said, and I quote. “Watch where you’re going, bitch.”
The two of us are alike in the fact that we have no in between and absolutely no off switch. However, this time, for Shawna, I have to think first.
When I don’t respond, he shakes his head. “Nah, there’s no pussy in the world I’ll put your life in danger for. Not even yours.”
“Pit—”
“Forget it, Skittles. Forget all about that race club, those races, and whatever else you’ve gotten yourself into. I’m not doing it.”
With that, he turns and storms out of my office. I sag back and lean my butt against my desk as tears start to flow. I have to figure this out.
Pit
* * *
I storm into the bar and head down to the cellar where I had a gym built. I need to blow off some steam. Every time, every single time I get involved with Skittles, it turns into some shit.
For a chick I’ve never fucked, I can never for the life of me figure out how I’m always in the middle of something. However, this… she’s putting her life in danger and I’m not having it. She shouldn’t be anywhere near those races or that race club.
I’m pissed because she won’t tell me why she feels she needs to do this. I could find out, but like I told her. If I dig where I need to, she’s going to be exposed and I don’t know the details.
I won’t risk it.
“Hey, Pit,” Ox says and shoots me a nod.
I should have known I’d find his big ass down here. At six six, at least 270 pounds, Ox makes me feel like a toddler. When he walked through my doors to inform me Blake sent him for a job, I nearly sent him packing.
Then without being asked, he jumped into a fight I got into on the main floor of the bar. He grabbed those dudes up as if he were putting his kids in time-out. He’s been with me ever since. He’s actually a bartender with his big ass.
Ladies like to look at him and the guys try to flex and be like him. It’s comical if you ask me. I can honestly say he’s become one of my best friends outside of the crew and Roman.
“Who else is here?” I grumble, staring at the bag by the dumbbells.
“Leo just came in a little while ago. I think he’s taking a shit or something,” he replies.
I roll my eyes. All the money I pay for Leo to get through medical school and his ass is always here like he needs to work that shit off instead of studying. Vander University, School of Medicine isn’t Bridge Lake University, VU costs a grip, but I’d rather him focus on classes, I take care of the rest.
Okay, truth is, I’m proud of him for wanting to work for what’s his. Our father never showed that type of character. It’s something we learned on our own. I work damn hard for everything around me. The rest is icing on the cake.
“You get to the bottom of that Skittles situation?” Ox asks.
“Man, don’t mention that woman. My head is already about to explode. Little troublemaker.”
Ox chuckles. In his eyes, she can never do any wrong after the car she built for him as a surprise birthday gift. I call it what it is. A bribe. She hasn’t paid for her own drinks since.
I frown and snap my head back. “What the fuck? Yo, Leo, what the hell did you eat? Did some shit curl up in your ass and die?” I call out toward the restroom down here. “Use the damn spray.”
Ox laughs as he frowns and shakes his head. I mumble to myself as I pull my shirt off and head to the weight bench. Without needing to be asked, Ox comes to spot me.
I can’t get my mind off this crap with Skittles. My blood is still boiling. I might snap if I don’t get this off my chest.
“You know what’s pissing me off,” I say as I drop the weights back down and sit up.
“I was waiting,” Ox replies.
“She refuses to tell me why she wants to do this. Marquis uses that race club as a front for a major drug trafficking system. Why would she want to get involved in that?”
“Is her place in trouble?”
I laugh humorlessly. “The Maserati she arrived in the other night was brand spanking new. I could smell the scent of new car and leather. Nah, her father has never cut her off. Her business is play money compared to what she’s really worth.”
“This is Skittles. We know she’s a thrill seeker and she’s a little crazy.”
“I hear you, but this isn’t her type of high. The racing, yes. The other danger.” I shake my head. “It’s not her.”
“You call Kelex? Maybe she told him what’s going on.”
I clench my teeth. I don’t want to ask Kelex shit about Skittles and it will make me lose my shit for sure to find out he does know what’s going on when she won’t tell me. From that first trip we all took together we’ve all been tight and willing to share our secrets with the crew.
While Skittles doesn’t count herself as an asshole, she thinks of us as hers. She’s still apart of us, because to her crazy ass, we belong to her. She’s always the first to spill.
“Something ain’t right.” I shake my head again. “Why this race club? Why does she need to do this?”
“That’s the million-dollar question. Say the word, Roman and I will get on it.”
“No,” I bite out. Asking questions in this circle could get her hurt. “I’m not going to risk bringing attention to her.”
Ox snorts. “Bro, have you seen her. She doesn’t need help getting attention.”
“Exactly. Look, never mind. I don’t want to think about this anymore.”
I go back to lifting and ignore the chuckles coming from Ox. Yeah, I know I’m not done thinking about it, but I’ve had enough talking about it for now.
It has to be ten minutes from when I sat on this bench when my little brother comes out of the bathroom with his shirt tossed over his shoulder, sweating like he has had a full workout. I sit up from my set and glare at him. I practically raised this kid.
Right away, I know something is off. “What’s wrong with you?” I ask.
He looks at me with his green eyes and I swear, I think he’s about to burst into tears or some shit. He wipes at his forehead. I stand, ready to fuck some shit up if someone’s fucking with my little brother.
I tilt my head and realize it’s a sense of dumbstruck awe that’s rolling off of him. “Well, spit it out,” I say when he doesn’t say a word.
“Thanks,” he breathes. “Thanks for everything, Pit. I… I’m starting my residency this summer. I made the accelerated program.”
“Now that’s some shit I want to hear,” I say and rush over to give him a bear hug. For now, Mayven and her crap are forgotten.
Leo didn’t want anything to do with law because of my father. I don’t blame him. He has a mind for medicine anyway. He loves it.
Sensitive ass kid. I love him though. I kiss his cheek and ruffle his hair.
“So fucking proud of you, man. You don’t have to thank me for shit. You did this,” I say in his ear. “Ox, we’re planning my brother a party. He’s going to be a doctor.”
Chapter 7
My Way or No
Skittles
* * *
Two weeks later…
I had no choice. I had to get into this club one way or another. I need to be in these races and parties. The parties are really to vet the driving teams. They’re to make sure no undercover cops infiltrate the club from what I’m told.
To the outside world this looks like a normal party, in some mansion, filled with a bunch of wealthy pricks, their drivers, and their girlfriends. You can tell the drivers from the bags who finance them by the team smoke jackets the drivers have on
.
I opted out of wearing my team’s jacket tonight. In my head, I figured I might be able to earn my way up the ranks of my team through my looks. Don’t ask me how. I haven’t made sense of things that far.
Maybe someone will pay my team sponsor to see me on the track. I don’t know. I’m usually a lot smarter than this, but I’m banking so much on a team I don’t think has what it takes for me to get this done. Not without me driving.
Which is why I’m literally dressed like Jessica Rabbit. Red sparkly dress and red hair to match. My girl perfected this unit, and my makeup is flawless.
“Think, Ven, think,” I mutter to myself.
Suddenly all the air seems to be sucked out of the room. I turn to look up at the balcony and stairs that lead down into the party. There he stands.
I’ve never seen Pit look more attractive. He’s in a tailor-made tux like most of the other team owners. He stands with his hands in his pockets, taking in the room below him like some type of king.
The undercut hairstyle he’s been wearing in the last year has complimented his face, but tonight it makes him look especially clean-cut. Although, I don’t think there’s anything that can take away from the intense look on his face.
“Shit,” I breathe.
I’m in trouble. How the heck did he know I’d be here? As soon as I have the thought, his intense green gaze locks on me.
He doesn’t take his eyes off of me as he removes his hands from his pockets to fasten his tux jacket before he turns for the stairs and descends them with all that big dick energy rolling off of him, me still locked in his sight. It’s as if his presence has taken over the room. People step out of his way to make a path for his large frame to get through.
The music has even started to pulse in time to his movements as if he’s willing it. Is it getting hot in here? My brain is scrambled by the time he gets to me.
He places his hand on my waist and leans into my ear. “I told you to forget about this. Why are you here, Mayven?”
I’m sorry. Did he just say something? Honey. For Christmas, I’ve purchased each of the guys their own scent. I picked Mont Blanc Legend Spirit for Pit.
He’s wearing it now and it’s not overshadowed by the smell of cigarette smoke. I have to stifle a moan. I want nothing more than to tug him to me and inhale him.
My nipples tighten and my pulse picks up. Heck, my pussy gains a pulse of her own. I have to place a hand on his chest to steady myself.
I shake my head clear. “I told you, I have to be here.”
“Why?”
“Will,” I do moan this time as he wraps his arm around my waist and tugs me in close. “Please, I’ve never held anything back from you before.”
“Exactly,” he hisses as he moves to place the tip of his nose against mine.
We’re both silent as we have a stare off. I’m the first to break it as I close my eyes and relish in the feel of his hold. I don’t miss he’s growing hard against my belly.
“You know me,” I say. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have to be.”
“You’re already doing this wrong,” he says after a few beats.
He runs his fingertips up my bare back and I’m pretty sure my knees almost give out. When he gets to my nape, he grasps the back of my neck. I gasp and open my eyes.
I look up at him pleadingly. I can’t give him what he’s asking for, but I need to do this. He searches my face with his gaze, his brow pinched.
“Fine, if you need to do this. We do it my way or you’re walking your ass out of here right now,” he says.
If I wasn’t short-circuiting from the hold he has on my neck, I’d probably hug him in relief. I have a real shot with Pit. I know I can pull this off.
My money will do nothing for me here. I need a savage behind the wheel and in life. Pit can handle himself with both.
“Pit,” someone says breaking into our moment. “I was surprised to see you joined as a sponsor.”
We both turn our heads. Will pulls a possessive move and wraps his arm around my waist, tugging me into his side. I’m stunned at first but recover quickly. Standing before us is a handsome man with olive skin and hazel eyes.
“Marquis,” Pit says at the same time I think it.
He’s a bit older than we are, but from his looks, I don’t think it’s by much. He has a regal air about him. The two man are definitely giving off alpha vibes.
A tiny smile comes to my lips when Pit doesn’t back down in the silent spar they have going. It’s all kinds of hot. In the end, Marquis nods. “I didn’t think Knight allowed you next to this type of activity.”
“Well, there you go. You’re assuming someone has the power to allow me to do anything. I don’t answer to anyone. My money is good here, so my team plans to race,” Pit replies.
“Fair enough.” Marquis turns his gaze on me. “You’re a lucky man. I’ve been trying to make my way to this little one here to find out who she belongs to.”
I go to tell him I don’t belong to anyone, but Pit pinches my ass. I look up at him and scowl. He pecks my lips quickly.
“Second best driver in the room. Luck is definitely on my side,” he breathes against my lips that are parted in shock.
“Oh, this is one of your drivers,” Marquis says with new interest.
“That she is.”
“Well, I do believe these races just got more interesting. It’s been a long time since I’ve actually been entertained by them. I’m now looking forward to this challenge,” Marquis says.
“So am I,” Pit says before tugging me away from Marquis without another word.
And this is why I can’t tell him the truth. This is classic Pit. He comes in and takes over.
Pit
* * *
To say I’m livid is an understatement. I was pissed off to get the call that Skittles would be here in the first place. However, when my gaze landed on her dressed like Jessica Rabbit’s evil twin, I wanted to choke the fuck out of all the pricks in this room salivating over her.
I’m not even sure she’s aware of the wolves’ den she’s standing in. I had to make it known she’s taken and belongs to me or they were about to eat her lost looking ass alive.
“How did you know I’d be here?”
“How long have you known me? What don’t I know about what happens in Vander?” I say and look down at her pointedly.
“Good, you’ve found her,” Rhet Banner says as I stop by the wingback chairs, he and the rest of his team are sitting around.
Rhet and Kelex are best friends. This was a courtesy call based on that relationship. However, I’ll grant Rhet his next business request free as a thanks for the heads-up.
“You,” Skittles hisses. “You sold me out. I was supposed to be one of your drivers. What the heck?”
“Kelex would have had my balls when he gets back. I like my balls very much. They are my prized possessions. This is no place for you, doll face. Besides, you’re a distraction I don’t need to be a part of. I have my own reasons for being in these races,” Rhet says.
“Unbelievable,” Skittles grumbles at my side.
No, what’s unbelievable is the fact that my lips are still buzzing from the barely-there kiss I placed on her mouth. I tighten my fist not around her waist, trying to reel it in. When in fact, all I want to do is grab her and take off for the nearest shadow so I can devour her soft lips.
“Thanks, Banner. No hard feelings when we beat your asses though,” I say with a forced grin.
Not because I don’t like Banner, but because I’m holding on to my temper and sanity by a thread. This shouldn’t be happening at all, but it sure as hell shouldn’t have been done like this. Rhet knows it and I know it.
“No problem, but we’ll see about the rest. Be safe, Skittles. Give Kelex a call before I do.”
With that, Banner and his team leave collectively. I glance around to see all the eyes on us. There’s a reason for the smoke jackets and tuxedos. Ranks are established that way. T
he women in this room, however, are interchangeable.
All you have to do is ask. That’s what Marquis was getting at. He was looking for me to offer up Skittles.
This type of stuff is why I told her to stay away from here. She would have been better off wearing the damn jacket Rhet’s team provided her, but no, this is stubborn ass Skittles who has to do things her way.
To make a point to everyone, I squeeze Skittles into my side and kiss the top of her head. “You are now a target. We can’t use whatever team you had planned. We use my guys for our backup, but they’re not driving. They’re the muscle,” I say into her hair.
She nods without looking up at me. I tell myself it has nothing to do with the way she’s melting into me. I also fight not to have my hands all over her.
This is going to give me gray hairs.
“I’ll give you the money back for the team,” she breathes.
“No, you won’t.”
Chapter 8
Ladies First
Pit
* * *
“Come on,” Ox says under his breath beside me.
I ignore him and everyone else around us. My jaw is clenched so tight it might break. I don’t know why I agreed to let Skittles take the first race. Then again, I do.
After the other night, we had to take this race to establish her the right way. They all need to know to take our team seriously. The problem is the way she’s going about this.
Skittles is driving like a reckless nut. She’s come so close to hitting the wall more than once. My heart is ready to explode.
Of the ten races planned, this one is on an actual track. All seven will be in different locations. If you ask me, I hate this track. Its tight turns and design are for shit.
Granted, Skittles is handling the shit out of it, and I know I would have as well, but it’s a tight track for error and the way she’s driving is dangerous.
“Yeah,” Ox bellows as she crosses the finish line first.
Pit: The A**hole Club Series Page 6
