Filthy English

Spider had reached us.

“Dude. What the hell?” I checked him out. He chuckled, eyes clear. Focused. “You did this? I don’t know what to say—and that’s not normal for me.”

He shrugged. “You never left my side all summer, and you and Declan are the closest thing to real family I have . . . and bloody hell, I wanted to see you before I start touring.” He pulled a thick envelope out of his pocket. “And . . . I never got a chance to give you this.”

I opened it. Looked back at him. “I can’t take this money. I lost this bet, plus I gave you your quid already.”

“It’s not about the winning—okay maybe a little, but why not? Consider it a housewarming gift and now you have more capital to invest wherever you want.” He plucked at his leather jacket. “Plus, you’ll hurt my little feelings if you give it back.”

“Damn. Thank you, man.” I gave him a quick side-hug. It was too much, but I could see how much it meant to him.

His eyes shifted to the door.

I followed his gaze and saw Lulu, Remi, and Hartford walk through the door. Jealousy lit me up like lightning, my temper spiking. I cursed under my breath and looked away from them.

“You good, mate?” Spider asked, checking out Hartford with critical eyes. His lip curled. “That’s the boyfriend?”

“Fiancé,” I muttered.

He arched a brow. “Want me to kick his skinny arse? Wanna bet if I can?”

I laughed. God, I’d missed him. “You’re a nutter.”

“Sod off,” he said with a rueful grin. He pulled a small box out of his pocket. “Now, let’s talk about this.”

“What? No more gifts, okay?”

He shook his head. “It’s for Remi.”

My mouth parted, the pieces coming together. “You found it?”

The day after her bracelet had been stolen, I’d called every single pawnshop in London and the surrounding towns looking for her bracelet. I hadn’t gotten a hit, but it hadn’t stopped me from checking in with them until I’d left London.

He stuffed it in my hands. “Dude. You left strict instructions for me to call every single day. I did. Hell, it gave me something to do with myself. One of the pawnshops called back yesterday. They even fixed the broken clasp. I should have told you, but I wanted to surprise you . . .” He paused. “You okay? You look funny.”

“No, I just know how much she loves it.” I opened the package and there it was—her bracelet, amid a wad of tissue.

I looked back up at him. “She needs this. Thank you.”

“You’re the one who thought of it. I’ll catch you in a bit.” I nodded and he brushed past me to head toward an enthusiastically waving Lulu.

Someone pushed a beer in my hands, and I made the rounds to say hi to everyone. I talked to my father and step-mum first, since I assumed this wasn’t quite their high-society scene and they’d want to get out before it got too late. They congratulated me, and my father looked pleased although he asked me a hundred questions about whether I was ready for classes to begin, if I had purchased my books, and on and on.

An hour later, after a few toasts had been had, I ended up on a stool chatting with Axel and Alexandria. I’d had a few drinks, and my buzz was making me antsy rather than relaxed.

“Any plans after this?” she asked, sending me a flirtatious grin.

Did I?

That depended on Remi. I wanted to talk to her more—without Hartford in my face—but she hadn’t left his side.

I flicked my eyes over to see them holding hands at the end of the bar. She towered over the other girls, looking gorgeous in some kind of green dress, her hair swinging against her neck.

I tried to catch her eye, but she never looked in my direction, her eyes seeming to avoid mine. It was intentional, I assumed, feeling my anger rise again. She was the girl who needed control, and I was screwing with it.

Hartford watched me though, his eyes narrowed as he caught me staring at Remi. Fuck him. I didn’t care. I smiled at him and raised my glass. You might have her now, Omega, but who knows about tomorrow . . .

He gave me a haughty smile and leaned down to kiss Remi on the head. My fists clenched. Douche. I wanted to rip into him . . .

“Hello? Dax?” Alexandria asked.

I moved my eyes off Remi. “What?”

She giggled, pink lips sucking on her straw. “I was saying that Bettina and I are going to the Tau house later—but I don’t want to go if you aren’t there.”

I slid a finger down her arm. “Maybe you can come to my place.”

It was obvious Remi was with Hartford, so what was I waiting on?

A short time later, I saw from my peripheral vision that they’d joined the circle at our end of the bar.

Don’t bloody look at her.

God, I hated seeing them together.

Most of all, I wanted a reaction out of her when she was near me.

Something. Anything.

I mean, how could she walk around with him and pretend like we didn’t just have a big fucking moment last night?

She ordered a drink and the bartender set it on the bar next to me. Reaching to the bar, her arm brushed mine.

I flinched.

“Excuse me, sorry.” She blinked rapidly, her face frozen.

I smirked. “Touch me anytime, angel.”

She’d been turning back to Hartford who was in a conversation with someone, but pivoted around to face me, a glare in her eyes.