Vipers and Virtuosos (Monsters & Muses, #2)(65)

Well, shit. I’d expected it to cause Riley problems within her inner circle, but I hadn’t anticipated it being the talk of the fucking town.

The last thing I need is people realizing where I’m at, before I’ve even gotten to dispose of Riley myself.

Pulling my phone from my jacket pocket, I notice a string of notifications from my dad and Liam, and when I open the first one, sure enough, it’s a screenshot of someone saying I’ve been spotted with a pink-haired girl out west.

For now, it seems, my exact location is still unknown, with my father saying he intercepted rumors and redirected people to California and Vancouver, but still. I’ll need to be a bit more careful if I want to go through with my revenge.

“I’ve gotta be honest, I never really saw Angel going for that type.”

For some reason, the comment irks me.

Who did she see Riley with, Caleb? Please.

That man can try all he wants, but he’s not ever going to get her.

Not the way I do.

Taking a bite of my bagel, I lift a shoulder. “You know her pretty well?”

The expression on her face fills me with satisfaction. “God, no. She’s more closed off than Fort Knox.”

“Maybe Angel isn’t who she says she is.”

“That sounds incredibly shady.” Jade frowns, pausing with bills in her hand. “Do you know something we don’t?”

My gut sours, and I wish I hadn’t said anything.

“No, I’m just saying. Maybe your town is judgmental, so she keeps to herself.”

“Well, that’s rude.”

“That’s life.”

Pushing some of the black hair from her face, Jade shoves her money into its till, slams the drawer shut, and puts her hands on her hips.

“I don’t think I like you very much.”

Smirking, I bring my mug to my lips, downing the piping hot drink in four big gulps. The liquid singes my tongue, the mint cooling my teeth, and I set it back on the counter with a loud clank.

“Join the club.” Sliding from the stool, I stuff the rest of the bagel in my mouth and pull out my wallet, throwing a couple hundreds on the counter before swiping the notebook and heading out.

“People who tip this much are overcompensating for something,” Jade calls, and I just laugh, waving at her over my shoulder.

The bell chimes as I walk through the front door, chewing slowly. Leaning against the building, I survey the empty streets, tucking the book beneath my armpit.

Headlights flash, blinding me as they cross over to the parking lot. I slip behind a stone pillar a few feet away, slinking to the shadows just in case. There’s never any telling who is going to recognize you in public; even the biggest names can sometimes walk around undetected, depending on where they’re at.

My encounter the other day, though, with Dahlia, makes me nervous about who else in town knew me as more than “Angel’s” boy toy.

Fire scorches down my sternum at the thought of her having any others in the time between when she was still dead to the world, and when I found her.

Guess that’s the kind of thing you’d ask someone before sticking your dick in them.

Snow begins drifting from the night sky; it’s been flurrying on and off for days now, making the sidewalks slushy. The ones on the boardwalk are freshly salted, possibly because this is the most visited part of town in the winter, so when I shuffle back, I don’t have to pay very much attention to where I’m stepping.

I still do, though; caution is a habit at this point.

Two figures exit the vehicle, their silhouettes starting up the road toward the diner. Their voices float to me, but it’s not until they’re bathed in the neon glow that I notice it’s Caleb and Riley; they walk with their arms intertwined and heads huddled together, looking more like lovers than anything else.

If you didn’t know any better.

My teeth grind together, and I step back slowly, ensuring that I’m totally enshrouded in darkness as they stop in front of the building.

“You’re sure you’re okay?” Caleb asks, reaching with his free hand to brush a strand of hair from her face.

I don’t miss the way she flinches, ever so slightly, a crooked smile forming on her lips.

“I promise, I’m fine. I’m really sorry I couldn’t stay, but unfortunately, being a girl waits for no one.”

Caleb sighs, shaking his head as he steps back. “You could’ve stayed at the house. My mother would’ve been glad to get you some shit to make you feel better.”

“I appreciate that, but I think I’ll feel better in my own bed.”

“God, I just fucking hate the idea of you going home in a cab. It’s supposed to start snowing harder really soon, and the roads are already terrible as it is.”

Tipping her head back, Riley laughs. The sound rankles me, reminding me of the night in New York City and how badly I wanted to believe it was something she didn’t do often.

That she’d given me a piece of herself no one else got.

Crushing my notebook to my side, I ignore the anger, letting it simmer in my soul.

“Your cabbies probably drive better in the snow than I do,” she tells him.

“Fair point.” Still, he rocks back on his heels, lingering. “And you’re sure you’re okay to wait here by yourself?”