Chapter 15

LENNOX

I wake up with the smell of Alora's cooking filling my nostrils. She and Greyson crashed here last night after a pipe burst in their farmhouse. Which happened to work out in my favor since last night, I needed a ride to pick up my car from the garage.

Three thousand five hundred dollars is what it cost me to fix the damage done by her little stunt. I knew Stevie was nuts, but fucking hell, I didn't think she'd mess with my car. Especially in such a public place. She's being reckless. Bold.

I shouldn't be shocked. It's what drew me to her in the first place. But despite that, one thing is clear. She needs to learn a lesson. She needs a reminder of who's in charge here. She probably thinks she's won, and even I can admit lighting my car on fire was a big fucking move. Normally, if she was anyone else, I'd have offed her by now. Painting my skin with her blood before handing the body over to Greyson to carve up, but not her.

No. I like this game.

I like her.

The sun streams through the windows, and I hear Alora in the kitchen. I roll out of bed and make my way down the hall, the events of the other night still playing on a loop in my head. Alora is at the stove, flipping pancakes, and the smell of coffee fills the air. Greyson and Alora's dog, Yara, is lying on the floor, waiting for food to find its way to her. I can't help but smile at the scene. It's almost too domestic for a bunch of misfits like us.

"Morning," Alora says, glancing over her shoulder at me. "Breakfast will be ready soon. Could you get the plates?"

"Sure thing," I reply, grabbing a couple of plates from the cupboard. As I set the table, I can't help but let my mind wander back to Stevie—the fire, the heat, the sheer audacity of her actions—she's something else.

Alora looks over at me, a knowing smile on her lips. "Still thinking about that little red head huh? Even after everything you guys have done to each other? If ever there was a toxic couple, it would be you guys,"

"Yeah, you might be right about that," I laugh. "Shit, I Knew she was crazy, but I didn't think she'd go for my fucking car."

"She's bold; I'll give her that," Alora says. "But you like that about her, don't you?"

I smirk, not bothering to deny it. "Yeah, I do. She's a challenge."

Greyson finally stumbles into the kitchen, looking like he just rolled out of bed. Alora hands him a mug of coffee, and he immediately ruins it with cream and sugar.

"Still ruining perfectly good coffee, I see," I say, leaning against the counter.

"Some of us like a little sweetness in our lives," Greyson retorts, taking a sip.

"Yeah, well, you're already going soft. Do you really need to be sweet, too?" I shoot back, earning a laugh from Alora.

Greyson's expression turns serious for a moment as he looks at me. "So, what's the deal with Stevie?"

"What do you mean?" I ask, taking a seat at the table.

"I mean, it's not like you to be focused on anything besides fire, let alone one woman. I mean, sure, she's hot─"

Alora smacks him in the back of the head, cutting him off mid-sentence. Looking over his shoulder, he's met with her death stare. A smirk forms on my face.

Accepting defeat, Greyson coughs, clearing his throat, "I get it, she's your type, but this whole game of who can hurt who the most isn't like you. You don't do games. You burn the shit down and move on. You're normally more careful,"

He's right. Whatever is going on between Stevie and me is new, but that's what makes it so fucking exciting.

I shrug, playing it cool. "I don't know. She's just, different. She's meant to be mine I can feel it."

Greyson laughs, shaking his head. "You've got a point. She's definitely not as easy as the girls you've fucked with before, but shit, Lennox, did you have to choose the only wild Mustang in New Orleans."

"Nothing good comes easy." I shrug, "I felt like challenging myself,"

"You fucking would," Greyson adds, taking a sip of his coffee.

Alora steps in, her tone firm. "Leave Lennox alone, babe. Let him do what he wants. He's a big boy. If he wants to have a little fun with chaos, let him.Just be smart about it, don't get yourself caught."

I smirk at Greyson. "See, she fucking gets it."

Greyson raises his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. Have your fun."

Alora and Greyson continue their conversation, but my mind drifts back to Stevie. How am I going to repay her for last night?

On the TV in the living room, the news reporter drones on about a local pig roast happening to raise money for some charity. A smirk forms on my lips as I lift my coffee to take a sip. An idea starts to form, something that will show Stevie just what it means to cross me.

Alright, Stevie, you want to play with fire? Let's see how well you handle the burn.

I finish my breakfast in silence, the gears in my mind turning. Alora and Greyson carry on, oblivious to the plans forming in my head. They don't need to know every detail. Not yet.

"Thanks for breakfast," I say, getting up from the table. "I've got some things to take care of."

"Be careful," Alora says, her eyes meeting mine. She knows me well enough to know when I'm planning something.

"Always am," I reply, giving her a reassuring smile.

I head out, the crisp morning air fully waking me up. My car's back to its former glory. It needs a fresh wax job, but that can wait. Right now, I have more pressing matters to attend to.

Driving through the city, my mind keeps circling back to Stevie. She's unpredictable and wild, and that's what makes this so interesting. She may have won the battle, but the war is far from over.

I pull up to a home repair shop I know well. The owner owes me a few favors, and today, I'm cashing in. I step inside, the bell above the door chiming softly.

"Lennox," the owner greets me, a wary look in his eyes. "What can I do for you?"

"I need a few things," I say, laying out my plan. By the time I'm done, the owner is pale, but he nods. He knows better than to argue. Besides, he doesn't want to know what I have in store for tonight.

With everything in place, I head back to my car, excitement building for tonight. Climbing in, I start up the engine and pull out of the small parking lot towards the junkyard.

"Tonight, I'm making you mine, Stevie,"

After ensuring everything was set up and ready to go at the junkyard, I headed back into the Quarter and pulled up outside her apartment just as she was leaving. I followed her to this small house on the outskirts of the Quarter, where I've since been sitting in my car, flipping my Zippo lighter open and closed, regretting my decision not to grab food on the way while I wait for my opportunity to strike.

It's been hours since she parked her car and made her way inside. It's Jesse's home. I saw the guys greet her at the door, and now that it's night, they can all be clearly seen sitting at a large dining table in their home through a large bay window. I watched them eat their dinner—roast chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans. Micah brought out a massive cherry pie for dessert, which only made my stomach growl more. Now, they're chatting away. Laughing and smiling as they sip wine from fancy cups.

Fuck, she is stunning. Even with the rage I feel for her after what she did to my car still flowing through my veins, I can't deny how goddamn beautiful she looks, especially when she smiles with that goddamn perfect and pure smile.

Perfect for me.

She spends hours with her friends, and I sit outside, watching and waiting. It's boring as hell, but in the end, I know it will be worth the wait.

She'll be worth it all.

That's exactly why there's no way I'm risking fucking anything up. Not tonight. I will sit in this goddamn car and die of starvation before I risk anything ruining my plans.

Finally, when it seems like she's going to make me wait all night, she rises from the table. Jesse guides her to the door, hugging her goodbye while Micah clears the table of their dirty dishes. After a final goodbye to her friends, she makes her way out of the house and down the dimly lit street to where her car is parked.

I watch the way her ass bounces in the black skinny jeans she's wearing as she struts down the sidewalk to her car, her hair blowing in the wind behind her. Straight today, with no sign of the usual beachy waves.

I follow her home, tailing her closely as she makes her way through the city and back into the Quarter. The drive is a blur of lights and shadows, the city alive with its usual chaos. She parks, and I park a few cars away, careful not to gain her attention. Quickly, I pull a bottle from the bag on the seat next to me. I twist off the cap and hold the rag on the opening before tipping it upside down. Sealing the bottle, I toss it back on the seat and grab my white ski mask, pulling it over my head before I climb out of the car.

Following her up to her apartment through the small courtyard, I keep my footing light, ensuring she doesn't hear my approach. Just as she begins to unlock the door, I grab her from behind, holding her against me as I shove the chloroform-soaked rag over her face until she passes out, growing limp in my arms.

I pull off the ski mask, tucking it in my pocket before carefully, lifting her over my shoulder. I pick up the purse and keys she dropped in the assault, and carry her back to my car. Thankfully the few people who notice think nothing of it. Assuming she's drunk. I give them a friendly nod and smirk as I pop open the door to my car and push the front seat all the way forward.

I lay her across the back seat, careful not to injure her, and tenderly brush her hair from her face as I look down at her. Who knew someone with such chaos could look so peaceful when they sleep?

"We're going to have some fun tonight, lil spark," I whisper.

I close the door and walk around to the driver's side, scanning the streets one last time to ensure no one thinks anything illegal is happening.

Not that it would stop me. Nothing could stop me tonight.

Excitement takes over, and a sinister grin forms on my face. Tonight is going to be so much fucking fun. Unwilling to wait any longer, I Climb into my car and take off toward the junkyard.

Time to make her mine.