Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 88080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“Why the hell would I stalk Sidney?” I growl. “I don’t even like her.”
He shoves me with about as much force as Roux. I take a step back, distancing myself so I don’t kill his ass.
“You know why,” he bites out. “And I can’t…” His voice cracks. “I can’t let you do that. You won’t take this from us.”
I lift a brow. So he and Sidney both know and don’t care? That’s as much of a confession as anything I’ve ever heard.
Too fucking bad.
“Sorry, bro,” I say with a shrug, “but I don’t know if I can back off from that. If you were so worried, why stay here? Why not move away?”
“We have family here. Support. My job. It’s not that easy.” Heartbreak shines in his eyes. “Please. I’m begging you.”
Guilt washes over me, seeping into my pores. I’m not some homewrecking asshole. But I’m also not blind. I can’t sit back and ignore something that’s not right.
“You may think you’re doing the right thing, even if for selfish reasons,” I mutter. “It doesn’t feel so right to me. You guys should come to Campfire Chaos. Roan was talking about everyone meeting up again. The three of you should make an appearance. Does Sebban like to camp?”
“Don’t you ever say my son’s goddamn name!” Gio roars.
“Whatever, man. I’m late for work. I’ll back off, but inevitably you’re going to have to face reality.”
“Get fucked.” He storms over to his sedan and jumps in. For such a stupid dad car, it sure does peel out and make a shit ton of noise like it’s something badass.
Annoyed at this altercation that’s making me even later for work, I hurry to my car and climb inside. The drive to the restaurant doesn’t take long. I’m rushing to get out and inside when I’m suddenly shoved from behind.
What the fuck?
I swirl around, ready to level Gio’s ass if he followed me, but come face to face with Renaldo. His features are murderous.
Oh, shit.
“Renaldo,” I grit out.
“Hold him,” Renaldo says to two guys who approach.
I tense up, but they’re on me before I can escape. The vein in Renaldo’s neck thumps hard as his face turns purple with rage.
“One job, motherfucker. You had one job.”
He swings a fist, hitting me square in the jaw. I groan as pain explodes in my face.
“You were supposed to watch him,” Renaldo snarls. “Not let him get his ass kicked by that cop’s douchebag kid!”
Fuck.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
I take another hit to the face. This one, splitting the skin on my cheek. Another hit. My eye starts to swell. Another hit. Lip is busted. Another hit. Black out. Another hit. Wake up, confused. Another hit.
Over and over.
And then I’m on the ground.
Kick after kick after kick.
My spine burns and my kidneys ache. I’m seconds from puking on the gravel. The world spins violently around me, making my stomach churn harder.
Renaldo squats and peers down at me, his head blocking out the morning light behind him. He thumps me in my head, making my throbbing headache worse.
“I don’t give people a second chance. I’m not your fuckin’ parole officer.” His eyes narrow. “But Juno is good to me. And because of that, I owe him one.” He spits on me. “One, Jordy. That was your one. Had Kayden been shot or worse, I would’ve kicked your face in until you were unrecognizable, and they’d be forced to close your coffin.”
A groan rasps out of me.
“I’m watching you, Martinez. Your every move. The places you go. The people you see. The bitches you fuck.” He chuckles. The sound of it is dark and ominous. “All it takes is one more fuck-up and I’ll destroy everything you care about.”
I black out and don’t come to until Renaldo is long gone. Bob fusses over me, asking what the hell happened. He doesn’t offer to call the cops because he can’t. If I’ve learned anything the past couple of weeks, it’s that Renaldo owns this fucking town.
And it’s going to take more than just me to bring that motherfucker down.
Everything I cook today makes me queasy. The smell of the savory meats and vegetables would normally have me starved by dinner time, but I can barely function without wanting to be sick. Bob wanted to send me home, but the last thing I wanted was for Roan or Roux to wake up seeing me like this. Who the hell knows what Roan would do. I don’t need his ass out there trying to fight my battles for me.
A sweet, familiar voice cuts through my haze. I cut my eyes over to the register where Bob talks to Roux. She’s handing him an application that’s been filled out. Last night she mentioned she needed to get a job, but I didn’t think she meant here.
Panic claws at me.