Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
“What?”
“Kid, I don’t know what to do. You know what this will do to my dad. I’m all he has left, but I love Anthony and he loves his family. I could never betray him like this. Either way I’m going to hurt them both.”
“Can you go to your uncle and aunt? She wouldn’t let anything happen to her brother.”
“My aunt is so sick. Her illness is progressing so fast. Dad is her baby brother. This will only worry her and use up the little strength she has. I can’t do that to Mayven or Uncle Marvin.”
“Then tell your uncle.”
“Ha, Uncle Marvin would rather allow my dad to burn than get involved in anything concerning him, even if it’s connected to me.”
She bites her lip, looking nervous. I feel like I’m going to be sick. This is why I didn’t want to bring Anthony anywhere near my dad. Ant hasn’t met the man, and still, his toxic life is reaching for him.
“What if we can figure out who this guy is and derail his plan? I’ll help any way I can.”
“Here’s the weird part. I know the voice. It was the DA, Thaddeus Pitman.”
“What? Are you sure?”
“Yeah, he’s been to the house to see Daddy a few times. I’d know that condescending voice anywhere.”
“Rumors have been circling Vander for years about him being dirty. People have disappeared when the rumors grow too loud. I don’t like this, Lex.”
“Me either.”
“When are you and Ant moving?”
“He said we can’t. We had a fight about it before the call. Kid, I feel like shit.
“This is going to hurt him so much, but I think I should run. Dad’s bullshit means more to him than I do. I’ll sacrifice that relationship for Anthony and his family to stay out of jail.
“The job in New York is off the books, I can hide out there for a while.”
“But that’s going to break his heart. You two sound like you’re so in love.”
“We are. I love him so much. This is killing me, but what else can I do? I already took all my things with me. I need to run now, or I might not be able to.”
I sit there feeling like I’m five, not nineteen. I’m hurting, and my world is being taken from me. I lost my mom and grandparents all around the same time.
I was so young, nothing at the time made sense. This feels so much worse. I never wanted to know this feeling again.
My entire world is imploding. I can’t do this to Anthony, but I have to. If I want to keep everyone safe, this is the right thing to do.
My heart feels like it’s going to spill from my chest. I wish we didn’t have that fight. However, if I stay to tell him what’s going on, he’ll try to stop me. This is bigger than us.
“Jenny, I need you to do me a favor. You have to keep an eye on Anthony for me. I need to know he’s okay. He has so much going on. So much on his shoulders.”
She nods. “I’ll take care of it.”
“Don’t bring him into this. Promise. No matter what, don’t tell him anything.”
“What if he can help? You can run and I’ll tell hi—”
“No, promise. I love that man with everything I am. This is going to crush him. He’ll get involved and I don’t know what will happen after that. I know there’s something between his family and the DA, something personal. Please, don’t allow anything else to hurt him.”
I can’t tell her that Thaddeus Pitman isn’t William Pitman’s father. I don’t even know the entire story, only the bits Anthony has trusted me with. However, the bits I do know are what’s telling me I should run and never look back if I want to protect my husband.
“I promise, Lex.”
I burst into sobs. This would be my life. I’m losing everything I love. Ven, Shawn, Kid, and my husband. I have nothing left.
Chapter 6
The Muscle
Ox
Two years later…
The biggest mistake people make about me is thinking I’m slow because of my size. At six-six, a solid two hundred and seventy pounds, I know how to move when I have to. This motherfucker is about to realize his mistake.
He’s only pissing me off by making me chase him. I jump over the trash can he turns over to slow me down as we run up this alley. My heavy boots pound the pavement as I gain on him.
Even with a head start and sneakers, he’s not going to get away from me. I’m not even panting as I charge after him. If anything, I’m going to make this hurt more.
He goes to climb the fence at the end of the alley. I let him get halfway up before I grab his ass by the back of his shirt and slam him to the ground. Thieving son of a bitch.