Page 68 of Property of Yak

“I thought you said you were going to be here in five. It took you six,” I tease as she shuts the door behind her.

“Yeah, well, there was someone else at the stop sign down the street, then a kid’s ball rolled into the road. I figured I should stop so that way Daddy wouldn’t have to arrest me,” she quips, falling onto the couch next to me, scratching Tabby’s head.

She’s got her hair up in a messy bun and a matching workout set on.

“Did you just get done with your workout?” I ask.

Liz rolls her eyes. “Please, we both know the only workout I get is the naked kind.”

“How are you?” I ask, changing the subject.

“Good. Tired. I was worried about you. You know I don’t like it when you go quiet.”

I take a deep breath as she places the blanket from the back of the couch over her legs. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you.”

“Are you going to tell me what happened?”

I take a deep breath and contemplate how much to tell her. It’s not that I don’t trust her, I just don’t want to worry her. Especially where for the first time ever, roles are reversed.

“Girl, I need you to spill. Start with the sex.” She winks.

“The sex is fantastic. Like hands down the best I’ve ever had. I didn’t know it could feel like that.”

Her eyes widen. “Wait, you’ve actually had sex with him? Already?”

“It’s different with him.” I shrug.

“So it’s serious?”

Serious enough that he’s claimed me.

I want to tell her, I really do, but I keep it to myself. Because for the first time in my life, I want to sit on something and see what happens.

“Yes. I know I shouldn’t like him, I really do. The way we met, the fact that he’s part of a club, all of it is a giant red flag waving in my face, but I don’t care. I like him. He makes me feel seen, special even. I mean, come on, Liz. We know what safety feels like because of Dad, but with Yak, it’s next level.”

She leans back and studies me. “I’m happy for you. I really am. I want you to have all those things, but at the same time I am worried because of who he is. Don’t get me wrong, I get the dangerous appeal. It’s heady. I know Steve would fight for me if anyone looked at me wrong, but at the same time, there is a little bit of fear there. I can’t help but wonder if I’m in over my head with him at times because of the things he says or the things I see. If I feel that way, I can’t imagine how you feel with Yak’s club.”

“I’ve met a couple of his brothers. I like some of them for sure,” I say, thinking of Sap, Poutine, and Yooper. “But there are some who I wouldn’t want to be alone with,” I say, thinking of Aragon. “I don’t think that’s just because of the club, though. I mean, they could be accountants, and I still wouldn’t like them.”

Before she can say anything, there’s a hard knock on my door, making me frown.

“I take it you aren’t expecting anyone,” she says quietly.

“No.” I set down my cup and stand.

Tabby jumps off my lap, giving me a look that says she is not impressed by my disturbance of her sleep.

Before I can take the few steps to the door, the person knocks again. Harder this time.

As I put my hand on the handle, I look over at Liz and see she’s got her phone pulled out, ready to call for help. Taking a deep breath, I open the door and frown when I see Ray on the other side.

“What are you doing here, Ray?” I ask my dad’s second-in-command.

He pushes his way into my house.

“Who’s here?” he demands.

“What the fuck? Just me, asshole,” Liz snaps.