“Yep.” Phoenix grinned. “She’s really heartbroken and afraid.”
“Very.” I led us to the door on the side and opened it. Right as Phoenix was about to walk through, I grabbed and pulled her close to me.
Johnny’s death and Pandora’s appearance should have been the main thing on my mind. But it wasn’t.
Phoenix watched Pandora swim naked in the pool. “What’s wrong, Cain? Why did you stop me?”
I brushed my lips against the tip of her ear. “No running.”
She shivered. “I won’t, Cain.”
“I hope so because although I don’t have it in me to kill you. . .”
She snapped her view to me. “What?”
I studied her.
“Cain. . .I need you to finish that sentence.”
My frown deepened. “I’ve considered reasonable ways to help you stay.”
“O-kay. Can you tell me these reasonable ways?”
“You’re a fast runner. The best solutions would be to make sure you can’t run again.”
“What?” She moved her hand away from mine. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve thought about this for a while.” I shrugged. “I love your legs so I wouldn’t take them all off.”
She widened her eyes.
“I considered just keeping your thighs, but I thought chopping off your feet would be enough to solve the problem.”
She stepped back. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“It’s just my thoughts not any action or—”
“Those thoughts are fucked up.” She hugged herself.
“It wouldn’t be too bad. There are digital wheelchairs with computers built in and—”
“Dude, don’t even think about cutting my feet off!”
“Then, don’t run.” I tried to get her hand.
She wouldn’t let me touch her. “That’s not how that is supposed to work if we’re going to have anything—”
“You know who I am and what I am. Some things about us won’t be as normal. It is what it is.” I extended my hand to her.
She wouldn’t take it. “Don’t touch my feet.”
“Then, don’t run.”
Anger blazed through her eyes. She stomped off, twisting those hips and clicking the heels against the pavement.
That didn’t go well, but she understands.
Following her, I went outside.
Up ahead, Phoenix walked in West’s direction. She might have been shaken from my confession, but I bet no one knew. Those hips swung. That fat ass jiggled.
Even though Pandora was naked in the pool, Griff glanced Phoenix’s way.
West turned the music down. The rich beats and sounds were now a muted, distant pulse, serving as the background. West smiled at her. “Good morning, beautiful.”
Careful, fellas.
Phoenix gave West an awkward wave.
The heels clicked on the pavement. I directed my view to her feet moving in those sexy shoes.
Yeah. I would hate to cut them off.
Suddenly, water splashed on me, putting drops on my jeans and boots.
What the hell?
I stopped and glanced at the pool.
“It’s about time you showed up, silly.” Giggling, Pandora splashed me again. “It’s nice in here. Come on in. Swim with me for a few minutes.”
I glared at her. “Get out of the pool and put on some clothes.”
Pandora pouted. Her breasts bobbed in the water. Her wet hair was slicked back. “Is this how you treat all of your guests?”
Rage filled me. “Griff.”
“Yeah, Cain?”
“Get my knives.”
Pandora edged back. “Uh. . .what?”
Griff cleared his throat and rose from the edge of the pool. “Hey, bro. We don’t need the knives right now. Pandora is here to help.”
Pandora covered her breasts and backed away. “What is he going to do with those knives?”
“Cut you open.” I winked at her.
She shrieked. “What?”
“Hey, Pandora. Let’s get you dried off and dressed.” Griff hurried over to a stack of towels. “Come on.”
She darted her gaze around the pool. “But. . .was he serious?”
I left and walked over to West.
Phoenix had sat in the chair next to him.
As the sky darkened more, small shadows fell on them.
“I ordered pizza for everyone. I figured you two would be hungry.” West glanced at her. “You want to smoke this with me?”
She glanced at her feet and then nodded. “Yeah. I would love to.”
I positioned myself on the other side of Phoenix. Now West and I flanked her. If she did try to run, we could grab her.
Stop thinking about her running away. Focus on this shit with Pandora.
While Griff dealt with Pandora, I kept my view on Phoenix.
West lit the blunt. The tip glowed orange. He inhaled and then passed it to her.
Phoenix grabbed it and inhaled. The end of the blunt glowed a brighter orange. Her sexy lips opened as she blew a line of smoke that twirled over and over in front of her. A waft of marijuana smoke and the scent of honey hit my nose. She raised her hand and offered it to me.
I took it. “West.”
“Yeah, bro.”
“Turn off your music. It’s going to make me strangle Pandora.”
West grinned. “That’s one of the best compliments I’ve ever heard.”
I inhaled the blunt, pulling the sweet smoke into my lungs. The scent of honey filled my nostrils.