“Yeah, he has GPS on the Rover. That’s why he doesn’t question where we go. He can look up the Rover and show up.”
“Talk about stalkerish,” Linda quips.
“Nah, he’s just overprotective and cautious,” I say, siding with my brother about making sure Khalani is safe.
* * *
We have been heading to the East of Hillside every week for about a month to hang out with Linda after school or the gun range. There are times Linda’s brother Smiley hangs out with the other Kings but they mostly ignore us and do their own thing. Except, when I pass by the living room or the kitchen, Smiley watches me. It should give me the creeps but for some reason, it doesn’t. When I glance back feeling his heated stare, he looks harder. A normal guy would look away but Smiley isn’t a normal guy. He probably can get any girl that hangs out around the Kings to kneel and worship him. The man is hot with a capital H.
It is Thursday and Khalani tells me we need to head back to the house because the guys are waiting for us. We head out of Linda’s room and walk down the hallway. Voices can be heard from the living room, but we try to ignore them. A guy whistles in my direction.
“Damn, Khalani. Please tell me she doesn’t have a man.” My eyes match the face to the voice, and it is a young guywith gang scripture tattoos on his arms. He’s sitting on the leather sofa with four other guys, all with tattoos and khakis.
Khalani looks over to Linda, then back at me and gives me a wink. “Nah, she doesn’t have a man.”
The young guy stands like his ass is on fire and steps toward us. My brow arches at his forwardness, and I give him a grin.
He walksup close. “You have the most beautiful eyes and hair.”
Linda giggles at his attempt to flatter me, but her face turns serious when she looks behind me. My head turns and her brother is giving the poor guy a murderous glare.
“Who the fuck asked you,ese? You’re brave now?”Smiley drawls.
The poor guy looks nervous, his eyes looking down in defeat. “No-no, Smiley. I was just giving the young lady a compliment. I asked if she has a man and didn’t think I was disrespecting anyone.”
Smiley nods and Linda narrows her eyes at her brother. “Why are you giving him a hard time?” she asks.
He moves to stand behind me, his gaze on Linda. “Because she is a guestin my house and thisputois walking around here making a pass at her.”
The poor guy’s face turns white. “My-my bad, Smiley,” the young guy stammers.
I’m annoyed at how Smiley is treating him. “What is your name?” I ask him.
Khalani and Linda both look surprised that I’m speaking up. I deal with my brother’s asshole ways, and let’s not mention Colton, all the time.The young guy’s eyes dart between Smiley and me.
The room is tense, so I try to flirt back. “Come on, you got up to talk to me. You seem sweet. I know I don’t look like the type who hangs out around here but knowing your name would be nice.I want to know your name.”
He blushes, but his expression is conflicted. He looks over at Smiley again, and I realize he needs reassurance from his leader.
I roll my eyes and glance at Smiley, nudging my head toward the young guy. “Tell him it’s okay to tell me his name.”
“Now, why would I do that?”
“Because, unlike you, he is nice and is willing to give me his name. Stop being so full of yourself and tell him it’s okay.”
Smiley’s nostrils flare in annoyance,making him sexier and more dangerous. Like I said, the man is hot. He is not Mason by any means, but he has a lean build and gives off this sexy bad boy vibe. He is someone I want to push just to see how hard he snaps.
Everyone in the room stays silent. The tension in the room becomes stifling as they wait for Smiley. My brow arches, and he finally nods at the young guy.
It is like the pressure of the room is relieved. The guy looks over at me and says, “My name is Jose.”
I give him a smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Jose.My name is Luciana.” His confidence has waned a bit because of his leader, and he looks embarrassed.“I’ll see you around.”
Khalani, Linda, and I head out the front door, but I’m held back onthe front porch by a firm hand. Khalani and Linda walk ahead to the Range Rover and when I turn around, my gaze meets Smiley’s brown.
“What?”I snap.
He grins. “You give me orders in front of my guys and make me out to be a pussy and thisis how you repay me?”