Total pages in book: 178
Estimated words: 170884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 854(@200wpm)___ 684(@250wpm)___ 570(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 170884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 854(@200wpm)___ 684(@250wpm)___ 570(@300wpm)
“Honey,” I started, but Twitch just looked at me, almost daring me to finish my sentence. And because I was who I was and Twitch was who he was, I knew he needed today to be reckless, so I gave him that.
Papa Tony faced Zep and began foolishly with, “Your brother—”
Oh, that did not go well. Not with Zep and not with Twitch.
Zep scoffed. “He’s not my brother.”
“Damned right, I ain’t,” returned Twitch acidly.
Zep glared at Twitch. “What’s your problem?
“I don’t got one.” Twitch barked out a laugh. “But I can see you do, bitch.”
Zep smiled viciously. “You just call me a bitch? You got some balls on you.”
“Boys,” Papa Tony cut in, pacifying.
Twitch held his bitter stare. “Yeah, I’m callin’ you a bitch.” He sat back, looking him up and down. “Spoiled little rich-ass bitch, got everything in the world handed to him. Sad little entitled motherfucker actin’ all jealous, because—”
Zep’s eyes flashed. “I ain’t jealous.”
“—I got Daddy’s fuckin’ name.” Twitch ended by raising his arms, and the more angry he got, the more hood his accent turned. “You want the name? Take it, bro. I don’t fuckin’ want it. Fuck knows it ain’t ever done me no good.”
Zep’s lips thinned, then he clarified quietly, “I ain’t jealous.”
Twitch downed the rest of his tumbler, and when he peered over at Vander with his darkened gaze, Vander filled him up without question. And when Twitch downed another half of his full glass, his eyes became bleary, as he uttered, “Good. I’m glad you ain’t jealous.” He ran his fingers along the outside of his glass before scoffing out a laugh. “The fuck would make you jealous of me?” Those soft brown eyes hooded dangerously. “My stepfather beating on me from the time I was a fuckin’ baby? Livin’ on the streets? Eatin’ out of the fuckin’ trash? The years I spent in juvie?” He let out a harsh, humorless laugh before drawling out a hushed, “While you were safe at home with your mom and pops, I spent my entire life near death, bein’ let down by every fucker who was meant to be protectin’ me. Your life turned you into a prince. My life turned me into a fuckin’ animal.” He sipped at the Scotch, licking his lips. “You had your shit handed to you on a silver platter, my man, while I built an empire from scratch. Made millions. Earned respect from my peers. Was called a motherfuckin’ king in these parts.” His eyes narrowed on his brother. “Had little bitches like you too scared to say my goddamn name out loud.” Twitch shook his head slowly. “You got nothin’ on me. I don’t know you. I don’t wanna know you. But that woman—” He pointed at me harshly. “—is the most important thing in my life, and she wants to get to know you, so I’mma shut my fuckin’ mouth right now and let this shit happen because it’ll make her happy. And when she’s happy, I’m happy.”
My heart warmed.
Also... oh, no.
No one dared to speak.
So Twitch looked around the table before landing on his brother and smirking sharply. “Does my existence make you uncomfortable?”
Zep turned to his father. “Think I’mma head out.”
Papa Tony looked positively heartbroken, and when his eyes scanned Twitch’s hard face, he began softly, placating, “Tony—”
A loud thump sounded, making my body jolt, and when Twitch’s balled fist came down on the table hard enough to shake the table, we all watched the wine glasses jolt then fall, followed by the shrill sound of glass shattering as one rolled off the edge of the table to the ground. And when Twitch spoke, I’d never heard such raw fury.
His expression manic, his eyes lowered, he spoke through gritted teeth, and my entire body broke out into goose bumps. “My name is Twitch.” He kept his voice low. “Christened on the streets by my real family, Pops.” He said Pops like it was a derogatory word.
Twitch turned to face Zep. “You don’t want a brother?” His lips pursed as he nodded. “No issues here, man, but...”
All of a sudden, he got up and strode back into the house. We all looked around at each other, unsure of what was happening, but when Twitch returned to his seat, he held in his hands something that made my heart stutter.
He held the photo between his fingers and held it out to Zep. “But this little boy—” He paused to turn the photograph toward his own face and he looked down at our son fiercely. “—this beautiful little boy—” He turned the photo back to his brother. “—he’s got your blood running through his veins, and he don’t got much family. I know he’d love another uncle, a real uncle, and you’d fuckin’ love him too because he’s goddamn lovable. So, make a decision, man. In or out?” He shot him an unemotional glance. “I’ll let you take your anger at your pops out on me because you don’t mean shit to me, but I dare ya to try that shit on my kid.” His eyes narrowed perilously, and his voice was just over a whisper. “I fuckin’ dare ya.” The cold stare extended to his father. “And you....”