Striker: A Dark Bully Romance (Redwood Rebels Book 1) Rachel Leigh (the reading list book .TXT) 📖

“Are you happy now that you carried out your revenge? Do you feel fulfilled?”

“Honestly, I’ve got everything I’ve ever wanted. Money, power, my revenge on the man I hate. But, it means nothing without you. I didn’t know it at the time, but my plans changed the first time I saw you cry. I’d give it all back if it meant I could keep you forever.”

“Ok then.”

“Ok?”

“Keep me.”

Our lips collide with so much intensity that even the strongest force of nature couldn’t pry them apart.

The strongest force of nature couldn’t stop it, but the loud thudding on the window could. “Unlock the fucking door.” Lars growls from the other side. I didn't even know it was locked. I pull the handle, and the door flies open.

“He’s fucking gone.”

“What do you mean he’s gone?”

“Josh. He isn’t down there. The hole is dug but nothing’s in it. Fuck man, I don’t think he ever was.”

“No. That can’t be.” I slide out of the car, and Marni follows.

Tommy comes hurling down the driveway. “Nothing.” He throws his arms in the air.

“So Zed never buried him here like he said?” Marni asks.

I pinch the bridge of my nose and exhale a drawn-out breath. “That mother fucker.” I pull out my phone and hit his name.

“What are you doing?” Lars steps forward. “Don’t call him.”

“We need answers and he’s the only one who has them.”

Zed picks up on the second ring, “Miss me already?”

“Where is he?” I huff.

“Oh, Josh. He’s safe. Don’t you worry about that.”

“Did you ever even bury him like you were supposed to?”

“Oh, he’s buried. But not where you wanted. Never was.”

“Where the fuck is he?”

“I told you I’d take care of him and I did. Now, I have you all right where I want you and you’ll do exactly what I say. If you don’t, everyone goes down.”

I look around at the concerned faces staring back at me.

We’re all screwed.

Epilogue

If someone would have told me a month ago, or even two weeks ago, that I’d be spending Thanksgiving with these guys, and actually enjoying it, I would have rolled over dead. Yet, here I am. Squeezing my eyes shut because I was told to—not much has changed.

“Can I open them now?” I ask Talon, as he leads me down the sidewalk to who knows where. I’m pretty sure we’re in Las Verdes, but I have no idea where we’re going.

He turns my body and positions me to his liking. “Ok, open them.”

“Inked in Attitude? What is this? A tattoo shop?” I laugh. “It’s Thanksgiving. I highly doubt they’re open.”

“Have you forgotten who you’re dating.” Talon smirks.

I can feel the heat rise in my cheeks. “Oh,” I tease, “Is that what we’re doing? I thought we both agreed that we were not doing that.”

“Well, you are living with me.” He wraps his arms around my waist, locking his hands behind my back. “And sleeping in my bed, pretty much every night. So, maybe you should stop biting my tongue and let me call you my girlfriend.”

“For the record, my living with you is pure convenience on my behalf. Since my dad sold me to the highest bidder to keep his ass out of prison, I have no desire to go home.”

“Just fucking say it. Don’t make me beg.”

“I feel like such a teenager right now.” I tilt my head down to hide the blush color on my face. “Ok,” I look back up, “you can have your title.”

His hands drop down to my ass and give it a squeeze. “Good. Because I don’t like to share. And you,” his lips press to mine, “are all mine.”

I look up at the sign on the shop. “So, what the hell are we doing here, anyways?”

“Waiting on Lars and Tommy. They should be here any minute.”

“And can you tell me why?”

“Because you're getting some ink, baby.”

I chuckle. “Ahh, no I’m not.”

Tommy’s car pulls up beside us and he and Lars jump out. Lars throws his arms across the hood. “You ready to do this?”

I’m pretty sure he’s talking to me but not completely. “Me?”

“Yeah you. You’re one of us now. You need to get branded for life.”

Ah, the infinity symbol. I’m not sure if I should be honored or scared for my life. They say I’m one of them. That comes with more baggage then I’m ready to carry. I’ll admit, I’ve grown pretty fond of these guys. Especially the one who won’t take his hands off my ass and claims I’m his girlfriend. “Alright.” I shrug my shoulders. “Let’ do this damn thing.”

I’m sitting in the chair, getting prepped, when Tommy whispers in my ear, “Do you trust me?”

My eyes widen, and my heart rate excels. Every time someone asks me that something insane happens. “Should I?”

“You definitely should.”

Honestly, Tommy might be the one that I trust the most. Talon has it on some levels, but we’re still working on the communication aspect of things. He agreed not to leave me in the dark anymore, and I’m trying to believe him.

“Alright. I’ll give you my trust this one time. Don’t disappoint me.”

He pulls out his phone and shows something to the tattoo artist then looks at me. “Where do ya want it?” The big burly guy asks.

“Depends on what it is. But, I’ve always wanted one on my wrist.”

“Wrist it is.”

After an hour and a half of being told that I couldn’t look to my right, the guy finally steps back. “All done.”

The guys come over to my side, all too eager to see what I think of it. I look down at my wrist and there it is.

“You got your wings. What do you plan to do with them?” Tommy asks, with a huge grin on his face.

I smile back. A real, genuine smile. “Eeeek. I love it!”

I can’t stop staring at it. It’s the angel wings that Tommy painted underneath the bleachers and, right in the middle, is the snake infinity symbol.

“I’ll be up front. Come out