High-Sided (Armed & Dangerous #3)(8)

His eyes quickly darted over to Janie and I smiled.

Her eyes went wide. “Seriously? You want me?” she exclaimed.

“Please,” I begged. “I’ve seen the way Mark looks at you. He’ll let things slip if you get close to him.”

She sighed in defeat. “Okay, I’ll do it, but only because you’re my friend.”

I knew the main reason she agreed . . . and he was sitting right across from me. Her attention switched to something over my shoulder and I didn’t have to look to know it was her brother and the others getting close.

Janie leaned down conspiratorially. “If you want me to do this, I probably shouldn’t be seen with you. I’ll call if I find out anything.” She slipped away, before the guys could see her sitting at our table.

“So help me God, if they f*ck with us, I won’t be able to control myself,” Levi growled as the group pulled in.

“Ignore them,” I whispered. “They’re not worth it.” I’d said the warning, but knew without a doubt, both Levi and Sean wouldn’t be able to keep their cool if something was said.

“What’s up, Mills?” Jacob called out. “Heard you weren’t racing anymore. Is it because you’re afraid to race against me?”

Sean leaned back and smirked, his fists clenched tight. “Nah, I’ve already beat you more times than I can count. Figured it was time to let someone else kick your ass for a change.”

Levi snickered and I glared at them both, mouthing the words stop it. Unfortunately, they didn’t listen.

“Fuck you,” Jacob spat.

“All right, I think it’s time to go,” I said, getting up. I didn’t realize Jacob was right behind me until I bumped into him. “Excuse me.”

He smiled down at me and bit his lip. “So you’re owner of Bennett Pro Racing now?”

“Co-owner, yes. What’s it to you?”

Janie walked out of the store and joined her brother. They stood back, while Jacob and Mark flanked me. I could feel Sean and Levi at my back. If they got into a fight, I’d be right in the middle of it.

Jacob’s fingers slid down my arm and I jerked away. “Good to hear. I like my women on top.”

Snarling, Sean stepped in front of me and pushed him away. “Touch her again and I’ll break your f*cking neck,” he warned, as Jacob laughed.

“Hey, let’s go,” I snapped. “We’ve wasted enough time here.” I grabbed Sean’s arm, and he reluctantly gave in. We started toward our bikes, but it wasn’t fast enough.

“Just because you can’t f*ck her, doesn’t mean I can’t,” Jacob shouted. “I’ve heard she gives one hell of a ride.”

Sean’s eyes blazed, and it was as if everything moved in slow motion. He lunged straight for Jacob and they went tumbling to the ground. When Mark tried to grab Sean, Levi tackled him, throwing a right jab. I thought Janie’s brother would try to help out his friends, but all he did was stand back and shake his head disapprovingly.

Sean punched Jacob several times in the face, then pushed him against the ground before getting up. Levi was still rolling around on the ground with Mark, but Sean separated them. Mark jumped to his feet and so did Jacob, wiping the blood from his nose with his shirt.

“You’re gonna pay for that, f*cker,” Jacob growled.

Sean shook his head. “Not scared in the least.” He turned to me and pushed me toward my bike. “Let’s go. Levi, meet us at Kassidy’s house.”

Levi hopped on his bike. “I’ll be there soon. Got a stop to make first.”

I started up my bike and sped out as fast as I could, both guys following behind me. It wasn’t going to take long for my father to find out what had happened.





Sean sat down on the front porch swing, and I joined him. Thunder rumbled overhead, the smell of rain in the air. Sighing, I looked to the storm rolling in. “I hope Levi went home to get his car before coming over here.”

“I’m sure he did. It’s not fun riding in the rain.”

I looked down at his bandaged hands. I’d spent the last two hours cleaning them up. “Why did you have to fight Jacob? All you had to do was walk away.” His left eye was slightly swollen, but that was the only other visible injury. Jacob and Sean were about the same size, but he was no match for Sean.

Huffing, he averted his gaze to the mountains. “I couldn’t, not after what the bastard said. And he had no business touching you.”

“True, but I can handle myself. A swift kick to the nuts would’ve worked fine.”

“That would’ve been hilarious.” He chuckled.

The rain came down and the thunder rumbled again. I loved the sound of the rain hitting my tin roof. It felt like such a long time ago when my sister and I would sit on the front porch of my parents’ house and watch it rain.

I closed my eyes and breathed in the clean, mountain air. “I miss the way things used to be,” I whispered, opening my eyes back up.

Sean looked over at me. “Like when?”

I shrugged. “When I was younger. Things were much easier back then. I miss my mom and Maddie.”

He squeezed my shoulder. “I know you do. I miss my dad too. But that’s why we have each other and our friends to help us through.”