“Jonah admits they went too far. Jeremy even sent Cavendish’s girlfriend flowers and an apology before she... you know.”
“Still,” I spoke up. “They didn’t prove they were tough by going after the Bedlam Boys directly. They went after people who were tied up and defenseless.”
“And I heard they’re the main suspects in Cavendish’s murder,” Amy added. “The Bedlam Boys can’t make anyone their bitch from jail.”
“No,” Elise said. Her golden-brown bob danced with her headshake. “They definitely didn’t do it. Plus, look how hard it is for Paris and her mom dealing with the nasty rumors and suspicion toward Cairo. We shouldn’t point the fingers at people until we know all the facts.”
Flashing a polite smile, I nodded. Damn, this girl is far gone.
“You’re right,” I said. “We don’t know them. Also, there’s no proof they knew Cavendish. But, there is proof they’re gunning hard for the Bedlam Boys. What’s that about?”
She shrugged. “Nothing. I guess they were used to running things in Hunter’s Crest. You’re a farmer, you know what happens when alpha males get in the same pen.”
“Yeah. Someone gets hurt.”
That hung in the air, making everyone uncomfortable.
“That’s reason enough for us to go,” Zara tried. “Cairo is Paris’s brother. If they’re planning to overthrow the kings, we need to know.”
“Infiltrating,” Amy said. “I like it. Paris, what do you think?”
“The party’s on my street. I have to go. If they are trying to fuck with the sons of the sheriff, mayor, judge, and dean, then I have to meet the stupidest guys on the planet.”
“I’ll second that,” I said.
Elise put up her hands. “All I heard is you guys are going to come. Trust me, the Crows aren’t what you think.” She winked at me. “And if I tap Rainey’s mojo, I’ll get all of them riding my ass at the same time.”
The conversation turned once again.
I laughed along with everyone, skating over details about me and the guys. In the back of my head, my conversation with Jeremy played on repeat.
Whatever these guys wanted, they weren’t buying farms and sending flowers because they wanted to be the biggest boys in the sandbox.
Verlice. The Bedlam Boys. The New Boys. Cavendish. The Letter Man.
No one in this town was what they seemed.
***
Roan
Me: I like it freaky. Dirtier the better. Hope that doesn’t scare you.
CBP: Why would it? I like it freaky too.
Me: I don’t think you can handle me.
CBP: Try me.
Me: You’ll try me. Cover my cock in whipped cream and chocolate sauce, then lick every inch of me till I shoot that special topping in your whore mouth.
Half a dozen dick pics hit my phone.
CBP: What else are you going to do to me?
Me: You first. What are you going to do to me? And remember, dirty. Filthy. Nasty. You can’t make me blush.
CBP: It’s a bet.
“Roan.”
I peeked over my phone. “Legend.”
“What do you want to drink?”
“Lemonade.”
I tucked my cell away. CBP was Cute, Butt, Plaything. What I thought of him and how I saw him in three easy words. I didn’t put it in initials to save myself. If Legend saw these texts, he’d whip my ass raw.
I shifted on the grass, cock stiffening. Probably why I’m not trying too hard to hide them.
The lovely Rainey returned, loaded down with our drinks. That morning, we skipped bagels on the terrace and stretched out on Homer Green, enjoying the wide berth and private patch our presence afforded us.
It was Friday, the start of the weekend, and I had plenty of plans for it. Legend probably had plans too. Jeremy refused to get on his knees and beg for his brother, who ended up rolling into town ten hours later, as promised. Not the satisfying conclusion Legend wanted. I can only imagine what he’d think of next.
Rainey passed me my lemonade. “Anything else I can get you, lieges?”
“That sounded sarcastic,” Cairo said.
Jacques confirmed it with a “Three.”
“Pets fetch, Rain. Don’t reject your natural function in life.”
“Pets also sit,” she said. “My feet are killing me in these heels.”
“Take them off,” Legend said.
She tugged them off and reached for Legend, making to sit on his lap. He held her back.
“Not yet, gorgeous. I like a show with my Americano. Last night, Nicki XXX introduced me to naked yoga. I think we’d all love to see you give it a go, wouldn’t we, gentlemen?”
We nodded, murmuring agreement.
“You want me to get naked and stretch on the green?”
Legend gave her a long, smirking look.
“No,” he finally said. “You can keep the clothes on. No one gets to have that picture in their spank bank but us. Turn around and give me downward facing dog. I like the sound of that one.”
Rainey’s fingers dug into her hips. I couldn’t say for sure what she was picturing looking at that smirk, stormy eyes thundering, but I had a feeling if she acted on it, Jacques would hit the double digits.