Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36026 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
“Never a problem, and I’ll have you on speed dial should something happen that I can’t control.” This is why Bellamy is a valuable asset to Four Brothers—he’s ahead of the game before it starts.
“Thank you, I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome.” We hang up, and I put my car into Drive, taking one last look at the stoop of her apartment, hoping to get one last glance. She’s not there. Who is there is Brian, smoking a cigarette, so I make it known that I’ve got my eyes on him. I roll my window down while driving by at a snail’s pace, making sure he knows I’m watching him.
NINE
Danica
“Okay, this is too much. First, you picked me up to take me to school, brought me home, and now you’re taking me to work?” I ask Bellamy the next morning after walking out of my apartment and passing by Brian, who made a lewd remark about how he had a way of lowering my rent. Disgusting, vile pig. It wasn’t the first time he mentioned I use my mouth to pay for a roof over my head. The problem with kneeing him in the balls is he’d retaliate, and I’d be out on the streets, so my tongue has permanent bite marks from holding back. A few more months before I can maybe be out of this shit hole. What is it with men being sleazy anyways? Bellamy is waiting like he did yesterday, standing beside the back door, car running and double parked.
“Mr. Goldman didn’t want you to take the bus or metro unnecessarily, Miss Powers,” Bellamy greets me while opening the door.
“Instead, he unnecessarily has you driving me around?” I follow up before sliding into the backseat. Putting up any type of resistance had Bellamy pulling out a playing card I didn’t see coming yesterday. I was had. The older gentleman talked about how this is his job, he’s made it a career and would never want to leave a woman in a situation that could lead her into danger while walking the dark nights in New York.
“I’d be out of a job if I weren’t driving you around. There’s no need sitting around on my behind when I could be working,” he replies once he’s in the driver’s seat.
“You’re laying it on thick again.” He winks in the rearview mirror. Between Bellamy and Theo, the word no has become increasingly hard to use. Theo for obvious reasons—he makes me feel free, allowing me to by myself, and the banter between us has me on my toes. Bellamy, well, he’s the grandfatherly type who can somehow cajole you into letting your guard down because he’s busy looking out for you.
“And it’s working,” he replies. I pull my phone out to find the last text I received last night during class. It was unknown, and until Theo made his presence known, well, let’s say the bottom of my stomach sank to my feet. I’m going to stop this madness starting now. This is getting to be absurd, and while my back and feet are loving not having to walk, I now feel like I owe Theo.
Me: You have got to tell Bellamy to stop giving me rides.
I put the phone down figuring it’s early in the morning. Theo is probably at the office making millions, if not billions, with whatever it is he does at Four Brothers. The four of them made a name for themselves, it’s hard not to know who they are, especially when you have a radar like mine. So, I’m surprised to feel my phone vibrate against my leg.
Cave Man: No.
Me: Why? This is a waste of money and his time.
Cave Man: Either Bellamy gives you a ride, or I will.
Me: Fine.
Cave Man for Theo’s name in my phone seemed quite fitting, and the next time I actually do get to see him, I’ll be telling him exactly what I think about his idea of carting me around via Bellamy.
Cave Man: The word fine coming from a woman is bad news…
Me: You’d be right. This is ridiculous, Theo. Seriously.
Cave Man: It’s not. You’re safer this way. And so are my balls, since I’m not the one driving you around.
Me: For now, they are. The next time I see you, the same can’t be said.
Cave Man: Are you asking me out on a date? I accept. I’ll pick you up at seven o’clock. See you tonight.
Me: I did not ask you out, you Neanderthal! You can try and pick me up, but I won’t be home.
I put our text thread on mute. I didn’t ask him on a date at all. How he got that from our very short conversation, I have no idea. I’m beginning to think the man doesn’t know how to take a clue.
“We’re here, Miss Powers,” Bellamy announces. I’m still looking down at my phone. Yes, I’m looking at my text app waiting for a notification to appear yet not alert me.