Cruel Infatuation (Underground Kings 3)

FinleyPark: Wow, the view is gorgeous. The beach isn’t that bad either. ;)

I don’t know what to say. She’s flirting, right? She has to be flirting, but I don’t want to come off presumptuous. I’m going to keep it light and not sexual. Being sexual over the phone is bad, and there is no way I’m trusting someone I hardly know not to save my picture and post it on a porn site.

Talk about a nightmare.

I grab a few beers from the fridge and walk outside. Heaven has taken off his shirt and a few scars litter his chest. They are older, different from the scratches caused by the failed heist. I’m curious, but I don’t ask because he has never talked about them. I’m not going to pry.

I hate prying.

“Here you go.” I hand him an ice-cold beer and sit, wiping the condensation on my pants before grabbing my phone to reply to Finley.

“Thanks, man,” he says, twisting the cap off. It’s the best sound to a guy’s ears. The release of carbonation, the hiss of air. It’s fucking beautiful and is automatically relaxing.

IsaacGray88: Haha. Thanks. I love where I live. It’s beautiful, and the woods are unlike anything you’ve ever seen. If you’re ever up this way, I’ll take you into the Redwoods, and you’ll see the biggest trees of your life.

I press send and scroll up to the picture she sent me, seeing the faintest outline of her face as she turns her head. She has a small nose and long lashes, but I can’t see the color of her eyes. Her profile says green, but what kind of green? Light green, forest green, emerald? I want to know.

The buzzer of someone at the door sounds again, and I’m to my feet, pulling my gun from the back of my jeans. I throw the phone safely on the couch. “Stay out here, Heaven,” I warn him.

“Like I’m going anywhere.” He points to his leg. “Really?” He sounds astonished that I’d even ask the question.

The audacity of me.

I slink into the kitchen, and Jaxon is already at the screen. Owen and Sebastian are pointing their weapons at the door, but Jaxon moves his hand in a down gesture, telling everyone to lower their weapons.

No fucking way. The fact that we had Zeke ring for us was one thing, but two buzzes? Someone’s about to get a bullet in their head.

“How can I help you?” Jaxon says into the intercom, and he gives the screen an odd look with a furrowed brow.

“Hi. My name is Maggie Thorton. I’m with the Department of Child Services.”

Well, fuck.

Chapter Six

FINLEY

“What do you mean there are no more tickets until tomorrow?” I ask the older man behind the counter. He’s the kind of guy who has no patience. He huffs and scratches the side of his balding head. The hair he does have is black and greasy, hanging from above his ears

to his shoulders. He has a missing front tooth, a mole on the side of his cheek, and he’s eyeing me like he’s never seen a woman before.

“What the hell do you think I mean, princess? There ain’t no tickets for the California Greyhound until tomorrow at six a.m. You just missed the bus.”

“I need to get to California now. Isn’t there another bus going to Nevada or something? Somewhere that isn’t here?” I readjust the strap on my backpack and bite my tongue as the nasty old man licks his lips.

“What? Kentucky too good for you, girl?” His eyes land on my boobs, which aren’t even noticeable right now, and my lips curls in disgust.

Isn’t there a guy out there who isn’t completely revolting?

“Say, who did that to your face, girl?” He spits a wad of chewing tobacco, and I hear a ding of a tin can. Since I can’t see the can behind the counter and filthy glass between us, I’m going to have to assume it’s there. I bet it’s never been emptied either.

God. I hate this area of Kentucky.

“None of your damn business. Are you going to help me out or not?” He’s a creep, but he isn’t worse than Trevor. If I can take on my stepdad and make it out alive, I can take on this asshole.

“Sorry, sugar. Ain’t no buses till tomorrow at six. I guess I’ll see you then.” He cackles, and his mouth is wide open, giving me a full view of his toothless gums on the bottom and brown spit.

I’m going to throw up. It’s safe to say.