Free Lock and Key by Cat Porter Page A

nothings in his ear. His hold on me tightened.
    “What the fuck?” Cowboy asked.
    My stomach rolled. I shut my mouth and pressed my fingers into Dig’s back.
    “We’re good, bro,” Vig said, his voice controlled, even. “It’s all good.”
    “Oh, yeah?” Cowboy’s blood shot eyes narrowed over us and shifted between Vig and us.
    “Yeah,” Dig said flatly. “We’re good.” Macho chin jerks followed all around, and Vig turned and pushed through the crowd, the bulk of Cowboy at his side.
    My grip on Dig’s back relaxed.
    “Can I get down now?” I whispered in his ear. His hand continued to burn right through my panties, plus my crotch sat right on the side of his waist at an angle making it hard for me to breathe, let alone think coherent thoughts.
    He exhaled on a hiss. “You’re not going anywhere.”
    “Huh?” I jerked my head back to face him.
    “They know who you are now, you little idiot!” His eyes flashed at me. “Ruby’s a fuck-up to them. Don’t think they wouldn’t take the opportunity to take it out on you.” He slid me down his body and held me as I found my footing. Dig grabbed a fistful of my hair and tugged my head back. His face leaned into mine.
    “What the fuck are you doing here anyway?”
    Shit, he was mad at me.
    I pushed at his chest, but his free hand gripped my bicep, and he yanked me closer to his body. My eyes stung with unshed tears.
    “Peanut, what is it? What the hell’s wrong?” he asked, his voice softer.
    “Ruby… Ruby got sentenced today. And I couldn’t hug her goodbye, I couldn’t do… anything… All I could do was get in my car and go back to that house. That… h-h-house. She’s in a cell with God knows who… and… and… you’re all partying ‘cause she’s going down for you. This is a victory party isn’t it?” I rubbed at the edge of my eyes and sniffed. “So, yeah, I thought I’d come here and join in on the celebration just to top off my day. Got any champagne on tap?”
    Dig’s eyes tightened. “You knew the score, Little Sister.”
    “I knew, but it’s something else to actually live it, Dig!”
    “Shut it, Grace. Now, you’re gonna be really living it,” he said. “You show up here tonight on your own and get into it with Vig of all people, and then even their prez catches wind of our little scene. Thank fuck, Boner and Wreck found me, and we got to you in time.” He dragged a hand through his hair.
    “Well, thank fuck your blow job finished up when it did!” I said.
    His hand wrapped around my upper arm, and he tugged me close. I winced at the pain.
    “You better forget the attitude and the tears and get your sweet ass in gear, Little Sister,” Dig said. “You just put a whole new concept in motion, and now you got to play it.”
    I scowled at him. “What concept?”
    “Babe,” He shook his head at me. “The concept you planted in Vig’s pea brain about you being my woman. It was smart and well-played, but now you got to follow through on it. Actually, it’s a damn good idea. It’ll make you totally hands-off. For a while at least.”
    I was lost. “What?”
    “Look, it’s Friday, the Seeds are here until Monday. Which means you got to stay with me so we can play happy couple until they clear out.”
    I rocked back on my boots. “Excuse me?”
    He grabbed the sides of my face and crushed our mouths together. Electricity coursed through my body, and I lost my mind along with my breath.
    “Would it be that difficult, Peanut?” he murmured against my lips.
    Hell no, it most certainly wouldn’t be hard to pretend I wanted his hands on my body and his mouth on me. I only shook my head at Dig, knowing I would give myself away if I even attempted speech. My heavy gaze fell to his lips. I really liked the way they felt on mine. Demanding, rough, giving.
    I was in trouble.
    “I didn’t think so,” Dig said. “So play along, baby. You’ve been around us long enough to know the drill.”
    My eyes shot wide open.