Rivals

Chapter 17

"Scratches"

"Mind if I talk to my girl?" Rio starts, huskily, before Vince and I.

I remain frozen, briefly examining the unfamiliar scratches on the gang leader's face. I haven't seen him in... weeks.

Since Cal's death.

My heart still hammers mercilessly, as Rio folds his hands in wait, on my doorstep.

His showcasing smile soon withers, as his dark brown eyes practically glare at Vince.

"In case I wasn't clear, I said I need to talk to my girl." Rio repeats rather sternly, this time.

"I'm sorry who are you?" Vince begins bitterly, next to me. I'm quick to rest a reassuring hand across my partner's broad shoulder, attracting his confused gaze.

"It's alright, Vince. He's a friend." I assure him, momentarily flicking my gaze onto Rio's who observes my hand on Vince.

Such a false statement tasted bitter on my tongue. But I said what I had to.

Vince has to leave.

The heavy tension between the three of us is nearly unbearable. And dangerous.

I watch the gang leader's cut lip curve up, as his eyes flash mischievously, at the sight before him. I hurriedly let my hand fall back to my side, before looking to Vince again.

"I'll call you." I tell Vince, in sudden hopes that he'd hurry and leave.

Vince's solid brown eyes glint with hesitation, as he searches my eyes. Then, he speaks.

"Okay." he says lowly, before finally moving past Rio and walking towards his parked car in my rocky driveway.

For a moment I feel the shoulders beneath my black leather jacket ease, as remote relief takes over me.

But there's still a lethal darkness that tops the anger nearing a subtle boiling peek within me. My blue-green irises don't unlatch from Rio's.

But before I get started on asking him why he's here - though I'm completely and utterly certain of the answer - curiosity piles atop the grave anger pulsating inside me.

And I have to ask.

"What happened to your face?" I ask bluntly, standing before him.

My blue-green eyes drift over the gang leader's shoulder, a moment, to see Vince back out of the driveway in his silver BMW before driving off. A soft breath escapes my red lips.

"I told you I was gonna take care of Peterson's boys." Rio clarifies, huskily, when I meet his blazing gaze again.

My brows then slightly furrow in his direction, while I take in his explanation.

He did keep his word.

The gangster is quick to release an amused chuckle, averting his gaze down to the porch rug beneath him a moment as he brings a hand up to scratch his cheek.