“Carver, I know you’re here, but you need to go back. You’re supposed to be at Frontier Days with everyone else.”
When he still doesn’t answer, I begin to panic. “Please go back. I’m begging you. Something is about to go down, and you need to be in Cheyenne so you don’t get blamed for it.”
This gets his attention. “And let me guess, I’ll just have to trust you on that.”
“Yes!” I say, struggling to keep my movements calmer than I feel.
“What’s going down?”
I push the sheet aside so he can see my face. “I know you have no reason to believe me, but please go. You need to be seen with the others. For Mila,” I plead.
We stare each other down. He wants to ask me more, but a bike just pulled into the driveway. There’s no time to explain, and honestly, it’s better if I don’t.
“Go!” I beg, hoping he hears the desperation in my voice.
He dips behind the tree as the fake Savage gets off his bike and walks toward me. “Need some help?” he asks.
“No,” I say shortly, turning my back to him.
“Oh, come on now. You’re not still mad at me for lying to you, are you?”
“You told me your name was Savage, and worse than that, you told me my brother was dead. Do you really think we’re going to be friends?”
“Maybe not friends, but I am going to be your babysitter for the evening. I would advise you change your tone.”
I beg my heart to slow down. “You’re not going with my brother?”
He shakes his head. “Someone needs to stay behind in case things go south, and that has to be the VP.”
Why did I think I’d have a chance to get away tonight? Of course my brother was never going to leave me here alone. I could run with Carver … but that might make the Scorpionssuspicious and ruin Carson’s well-laid plans. No. I need to stay the course.
For Mila, I remind myself.
“So, whatisyour real name?” I ask, doing my best to play nice.
He lightly chuckles, tipping his head. “Real name is Joe, but you can call me Psycho.”
“My brother must really love me to leave me alone with someone name Psycho,” I say dryly.
His hand snaps out and wraps around my throat. “I said watch your tone.” He pushes his nose against mine, making me regret not listening to him the first time.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper across his face.
His fingernails dig into my skin as he increases the pressure. “I’m not the one you ought to be worried about.”
This man loves seeing me afraid. How do I know?
It’s pressed against my thigh.
“You see, I’ve got a brother too, and you will be his reward for a job well done.”
I don’t know who the fuck he’s talking about but mine steps out the door. “Get the fuck off my sister!” he yells, and not in the way you would think. I’m nothing more than a joke to him. It’s the same thing he used to say to his friends in high school.
Psycho, previously Savage, gives me one last squeeze, only letting go when I begin to dance on my toes frantic for air.
He pats me on the back as I cough. “I’m just fucking with her!” he hollers back to my brother. “Toughening her up a little.”
“Lord knows she could use some of that,” my brother replies, plopping down into the lawn chair by the front door.