As honest as we’re being, I leave out the intimate moment between Edge and me. There’s a part of me that wants to tell her—to tell someone, for fuck’s sake. But I can’t. I have no idea what he and I are or what the hell is even going on between us. All I know is I keep telling myself to keep my distance emotionally. But my betraying body has plans of her own.
Although I can’t deny our attraction for each other, I have to stay on course with my plan to take Venom down. As sure as I am that they’re involved in my father’s murder, I’m beginning to think someone else is pulling the strings behind the scenes. Edge is the only one who I haven’t discounted as being the murderer. Figuring out who did it and making that person pay is the only thing that matters. There is no other option. If using him in the process also has orgasmic benefits, so be it.
Val has a few customers waiting who already placed their orders. “Hey, Kins! How are you, sweetie?”
Eden’s head jerks toward me. “I’m guessing you come here a lot?”
“Yeah, at least once a week.”I turn back to Val.
“You and Luca want your usual?”
“Yes, please. Also, Trey wants a piece of today’s pie.”
She writes the order on a small pad. “It’s key lime. And for you?” she asks Eden.
I tune them out as Eden orders for her and Bryce. The bell on the door jingles, catching my attention. I look over my shoulder as Gunner, Levi, and Kade stroll into the place like they own it. They’re in compression spats with baggy shorts and tight shirts—clothes designed for grappling. Where’s Edge? Then I notice one of the waiting customers moves closer to the wall. Another tightens themselves against the condiment counter. I silently laugh and shake my head. Fucking Venom and their scare tactics.
I refrain from asking about their missing friend. It’s none of my business. And besides, I probably don’t want to know where he is as Brielle’s face pops rudely into my thoughts.
“Look who we have here. If it isn’t the masked beauty,” Gunner says.
I smirk. “The one and only.”
Kade catches my eye and jerks his head to the back of the sandwich shop.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell Eden. I give Gunner and Levi a look of warning. “Be nice.”
They both hold up their hands in unison. “Promise,” Levi says.
I head toward Kade. Once we’re in the back, Kade lowers his voice. “Josh told the police he was jumped last night, but he didn’t see who did it.”
“And?”
“Nothing. That was it.”
I fold my arms over my chest. “So, basically, what you’re telling me is that he needs a reminder?”
His lips curve up into an almost half-smile. “Something like that.”
I nod. “I’ll take care of it.”
I can’t bring myself to ask him where Edge is, but the question must be evident on my face because he says, “He’s with his father.”
For some reason, I never pictured Edge and his father doing stuff together—like father and son shit. I relax and try not to let my relief show.
But I’m not as smooth as I think because Kade says, “He didn’t go home with anyone last night.”
I shrug one shoulder and bite the tip of my thumbnail. “Yeah, if he did, it isn’t any of my business.”
He’s quiet until I finally look up at him. His stare is set dead on my face. “Yeah, it is.”
“Why do you say that?”
He rubs his hand over his shaven head. “I’ve known Edge almost my entire life, and since you walked into our lives, he’s been distracted.”
“So? That doesn’t mean anything.”
“It does to him.”
