Page 28 of Crow Me A River

“What?” Her eyes shot toward him. “Does it sound uglier when I say it out loud?”

Vin’s jaw clenched so hard it hurt. Every instinct he had screamed at him to step in, but he stayed where he was. Barely. This was Misty’s fight, and as much as he wanted to rip Tucker’s fucking head off, she deserved the chance to fight it herself.

“You knew I wouldn’t come if you told me the truth.” Misty’s eyes never left Tucker. The anger was still there, but so was something that bothered Vin a hell of a lot more. Hurt. “That’s why you lied.”

“I didn't lie.” Tucker lied, his eyes shifting everywhere but to her.

“Bullshit.” Misty laughed, but there wasn’t a damn thing funny about it. “You told me your dad left you with a debt you couldn’t pay. You told me Jack was willing to take me into his Murder in exchange for wiping it clean. Not once did you tell me I had to mate with someone.”

“What the hell did you think was going to happen?” Tucker snapped. “You’re an unmated female Crow surrounded by unmated males. Are you that stupid that you thought just your presence here was enough to pay the debt.”

“I thought for once in your miserable fucking life you were telling me the truth.” Misty yelled, then took a deep breath. “Most Murders strive to bring more females in, hoping they’ll find their Mate, not force them to mate. So no, I’m not stupid, you selfish son of a bitch. I just made the mistake of trusting you.”

That shut Tucker up.

Vin watched Misty swallow hard, and it took everything he had not to go to her. She wouldn’t want that right now. Not in front of these assholes. He was beginning to understand her enough to know that much.

Then something changed in her expression.

The hurt didn't disappear, but it hardened into something else as she looked from Tucker to Jack, then finally toward the six Crows standing with Griffin.

Suddenly all those shiny pieces of shit scattered across her porch didn't seem nearly as harmless as they had before.

“So that’s why you’re here.” Misty looked back at Tucker. “You found out I wasn't exactly cooperating with your little plan, didn't you?”

Tucker's silence was all the answer she needed.

“You don't give a shit how I'm doing.” She nodded slowly as if finally seeing him for exactly what he was. “You're scared I'm going to leave and Jack's going to come after you for the money.”

“I don't have that kind of money,” Tucker shot back. “You know I don't.”

Misty stared at him for a long moment. “Neither did I, but that didn't stop you from using me to pay it.”

“You can't do this,” Tucker said, panic finally creeping into his voice. “We had a deal.”

“No.” Misty's eyes narrowed. “You had a deal. I was just the payment.”

Something about hearing her say it that way nearly broke Vin's control. His Jaguar had been restless since the second Tucker opened his mouth, but now the bastard was pushing hard against him, demanding out. Demanding Misty. Vin understood the feeling because he wanted the same damn thing.

But not like this.

She'd had men making decisions about her life long enough.

Jack released a heavy breath. “If you walk away before the terms are met, the debt goes back to Tucker.”

“Then I guess Tucker has a problem.” Misty said, not caring anymore.

“Misty!” Tucker exploded. “You selfish bitch. Do you have any idea what you're doing to me?”

Vin was off the porch before the last word completely left Tucker's mouth.

“Vin.” Misty's hand against his chest was the only thing that stopped him. He looked down at her, anger still burning hot enough that Tucker was damn lucky she stood between them.

“He's not worth it,” she whispered.

“No,” Vin agreed, his eyes finding Tucker over her head. “But you are.”

“Obviously I’m not,” The sadness that flashed across her face damn near gutted him, but it was gone almost as quickly as it appeared when she turned back to Jack Crow. “Do what you want with him. This is not my debt to pay.”