She balks. “Why would I try to hide something from you?”
I jerk my chin over her shoulder. “Who’s in your bedroom, Peyton?”
Peyton glares. “None of your business, Kingston. Unless you want to be in my bedroom, you lost the right to ask.”
“What if I said I d
id want another chance? Would you let me in?”
Her eyes widen. “Uh... I mean, I’d have to think about it.”
I scoff. “You’d have to think about it, huh? So, if I told you to turn around, walk back into your room, and bend over the bed so I can pound you into the mattress, you’d have to think about it?”
Peyton’s nipples harden through the short, silk robe she’s wearing, telling me she likes that idea very much. I, however, am trying not to lose my dinner all over the floor.
“Well... I mean... if you really wanted to...”
“All you need to do is tell your current company to leave, Peyton.” I finger the collar of her robe. “Then, I could remind you what a solid fucking really is.”
Her cheeks pinken. “Uh... if you can just give me a few minutes.”
I lean against the opposite wall and cross my arms. “I’ll be waiting right here.”
Peyton slips inside her room, and within seconds, I hear a deep voice shouting. Not too long after, a seriously pissed off Lucas Gale steps into the hall, flashing a venomous glare in my direction.
“Fuck you, dude. Not cool at all.”
When the door opens again, imagine my surprise when the piece of shit I beat up at that Malibu party comes out. I laugh when Barclay Baker scurries by without a word. After about a minute, a third and fourth guy—this time Christian Taylor and David Wright—come out. They, too, can’t get away from me fast enough.
“Jesus Christ,” I mutter to myself. “Peyton’s pussy is like a goddamn clown car.”
Peyton finally returns after another minute, looking a bit more put together, with a giant smile on her face. “So... uh, maybe I should shower first or something. Do you want to join me?”
I shake my head. “Peyton, you really are dumber than you look. I had zero intention of touching you beforehand, but I definitely wouldn’t be interested now even if I had. Maybe if you get on your knees and grovel, it’s not too late to call your harem back.”
Her entire face reddens so much, it’s nearly purple. “You’re an asshole!”
I give her a wry look. “So everyone likes to tell me. If you’re going to insult me, at least put some effort into it.”
“Why are you here, Kingston? Did you just come here to cockblock me?”
I smirk. “Nah. That was just a bonus. Although, while I have your attention, I’m going to do you a solid and give you some advice.”
She parks both hands on her hips. “What?”
“You don’t know what you’ve gotten yourself into with these... alliances you’ve formed. You may think you have it made because you have some powerful people behind you, but let me assure you, Peyton, you’re just a measly puppet on a much grander stage.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She averts her eyes like she always does when she’s lying.
“Sure, you don’t. But while you’re in denial, think about this: If you—or anyone on the wrong side of this war you’re waging, for that matter—fucks with what’s mine, the meanest, most dangerous motherfuckers you’ve encountered thus far will be like kittens compared to what I’ll do to you. If you’re smart, you’ll tuck tail now and move on with your life. Because if you don’t... you might not live to see another birthday.”
Peyton makes another loud screeching sound as her eyes fill with tears, but I’m not sure she’s actually forming words.
Jazz’s head peeks out of her bedroom. “Kingston?” Her eyes bounce between Peyton and me. “What’s going on?”
I incline my head in Jazz’s direction, but I’m still looking at my pathetic ex. “Now, for the real reason I came here. If you’ll excuse me.”
“I hate you!” Peyton screams, before slamming her door shut.