Page 33 of Praying for Thunder

Luckily, Diablo was a sharp-minded individual and would prove to be a brilliant Anita-tamer. Plus, he had been a runner himself. Only his club was powerful enough to ground him…

In a knowing fashion, he moved the conversation along. “Okay. No contract equals no trail. Got it. So, why the car situation? Babe, I drove it, and I’m shocked we made it here.”

Jaw tick.

He ignored it. “Why not spend more? I know there’s better illegal purchases available.”

Her lips twitched.

Pausing, he nibbled on his lip ring then spoke to himself, “Tiger needs more convincing that I’m safe to talk to.”

She sneered, “Nope. You need convincing that if we continue,” she motioned between them as if the budding relationship were foul, “it’s only me using you.”

He laughed harder. “That’s not what your kisses are sayin’.”

By his ear, I asked, “Do kisses speak?”

“Hell yeah, they do. Thunder, when your Ani kisses you, what do you feel?”

I smiled contentedly at her. “That she loves me more than anyone in the whole wide world.”

Diablo trapped her with words. “Is that not true, Tiger?”

She positively glared at him. “Of course, it’s true.”

Dio told me, “See? Kisses don’t lie.”

I asked, “What did Ani’s kiss tell you, Dio?”

He sighed. “That… she doesn’t want to like me as much as she does.”

I gasped. “Ani? You don’t want to like Dio?”

She smacked her forehead. “Baby, it’s complicated.”

I got nervous. “Is our love complicated?”

Her eyes instantly sweetened. “No. It is true. It is real. And a blessing.”

I released a breath I didn’t know I was holding. Then I rested my chin on Dio’s shoulder while gazing at her. “I think so, too.”

Staring at her, Diablo beamed. “Hell and back, I’ve seen things I wish on no one.”

That had her jolting in her stool.

He went on, “I think that gives me the knowing when coming across a beautiful soul. One that I want, so badly, to be a part of.” Sounding a little choked up, he peered over his shoulder and asked me, “You holdin’ on tight?”

Giddy, I tightened my arms around his neck. “Yes, sir!” Curious to see what was going to happen next.

Letting his head hang forward, he rested his hands on the kitchen counter. There, he took a cleansing breath, so deep I rose with his expanding ribs. From under me, I felt his body ease. Soften. Then he lifted his head to show her something.

Grabbing her chest, she was in awe. “Your eyes. Hazel.”

“Don’t forget, only for you, babe.”

“I still don’t understand how—” She peered at the bar. “Sorry. I know I’m not supposed to ask.”

“A simple answer?”