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)
“I’ll wait in the car. Look over some notes. Lots of homework.”
He leans over and kisses my cheek. “Probably for the best. I’ll be right back. Sit tight and after I’ll take you to dinner or something.”
No, he’ll be taking me home.
I nod and smile. “Okay.”
He climbs out and saunters into the building. I’m considering calling Kelsey even though things are weird between me and her daughter, when three guys step outside.
Kayden.
Jordy’s brother Juno.
And Renaldo.
They’re all looking my way, too.
Oh, crap.
Renaldo stalks my way, his jaw clenching. I’m frozen in fear. He wrenches open the car door and squats beside me. His tongue runs over the front of his top teeth and then he grins wolfishly at me.
“Little Roux come to see her future brother-in-law?” he taunts.
I cringe, shrinking away from him when he reaches a hand forward. He seizes my wrist and pulls it to him, his grip tightening to the point I know it’ll bruise.
“Renaldo,” Kayden grunts out weakly from the other side of the door. “Leave her alone.”
Renaldo ignores him as he peels back every layer of me with one long stare. “No, man,” Renaldo murmurs. “That’s the part you don’t seem to grasp yet. When you want shit done, you figure out ways to do it.”
I try to tug my hand free, but Renaldo nearly crushes my bones in his grip. I give up hoping he’ll lessen his hold and he does, but doesn’t release me.
“With Roux?” Kayden says in exasperation. “Roux can’t do shit for you. She’s just a girl.”
“A girl my boy Jordy wants to fuck.” Renaldo grins at me.
My heart races inside my chest, but I don’t give him the satisfaction of an expression that would confirm his theory.
“He won’t fuck her,” Kayden growls. “She’s my fucking girl.”
Juno laughs. “If he wants to, he will. Just sayin’. My brother is stubborn as fuck. If he wants something, he’ll find a way to get it.”
Kayden kicks the front of his car in frustration.
“Kick what’s mine one more time and I’ll put a bullet in your foot,” Renaldo snaps. “I give everything to you for fucking free because you’re blood, but if you disrespect me again, I’ll make sure you don’t forget your place, bro.”
“You’re hurting me,” I say softly, noting my entire hand is turning purple from lack of circulation.
“Don’t you forget it either,” Renaldo whispers. “When our boy Jordy fails to comply, you remind him, little girl. Remind him of what I can do so effortlessly and without trying.” He brings my palm toward him and playfully snaps his teeth like he might bite me. “I’ll do much worse than bruise your pretty wrist.”
“What do you want from him?” I demand, hating how the tears of both pain and terror leak down my cheeks. “He already helps you. What more do you want?”
Renaldo twists my arm in such a way I nearly fly out of my seat in pain. I grab his shoulder, attempting to go with the way he’s turning rather than resist so my wrist doesn’t break. He stops twisting and leans forward, his nose on my wet cheek and his hot breath on my jawbone. My eyes are locked on Kayden’s. He paces, staring at me with torment written on his face, yet doing nothing.
“I have a big job for him. A job that Jordy can do because he’s ruthless and determined. It’s time for him to do more than just babysit for me. I need someone like Jordy to join my ranks. Juno has been good to me. It’s really that simple, sweetheart.”
I’m choking back a sob of pain when I hear the rumble of an engine. Gravel pings against Renaldo and the side of Kayden’s car. A car door slams hard and footsteps crunch our way.
“Renaldo.” Jordy’s voice is low and deadly. A terrible warning.
Renaldo grins at me as he finally releases me. He rises to his feet and faces off with Jordy. “My man. There you are.”
Jordy’s dark eyes slice my way and he assesses me with a quick look. Aside from the awful bruises I’ll have, I’ll be okay.
“No one ever told you to not fuck with little girls?” Jordy spits out, his body thrumming with rage.
I unbuckle my seat belt and grab my things, wincing at the pain in my wrist. Renaldo walks over to Jordy, poking him in the chest.
“Can’t say anyone ever has,” Renaldo taunts. “Is that what you came here to say?”
“Nope.” Jordy cracks his neck. “I didn’t come here to say shit. I came to give Roux a ride home. Her brother’s looking for her.”
I climb out of the car and start for Jordy’s car. Kayden calls after me, but I ignore him. Once I shove my things into the car, I wait for Jordy to hurry. He’s nose to nose with Renaldo.