Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 119011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Kane made an ugly sneer, but said nothing as Jack assessed them with a steady gaze. “When you two come back, he better understand we are his only business partner.”
Zolt didn’t even look at Leo as he stormed out of the store and into his living room, which still smelled of the chicken Leo had fried earlier. The stiffness in his shoulders was uncomfortable to watch, but as the door shut behind them, Leo wasn’t prepared for the hard push that threw him at the wall.
“You’re letting them wreck my shop?” Zolt growled, his face twisting as if he no longer controlled his features
Leo swallowed, trying to calm down, but his stubborn heart still beat in panic. “I saved the fish, didn’t I? More importantly, my little brother is in the fucking hospital, because you went behind our backs! What did you think was gonna happen? Jesus fucking Christ!”
Zolt’s jaw worked, as if he were about to crush his own teeth. “Your brother is injured because of your conflict with the Jackals. If it wasn’t that gun, it would have been a different one!”
Leo stalled and clicked his tongue for lack of a better answer. That was true. As much as he hated what Zolt had done, there was no point arguing with the facts. “They won’t back off unless you grovel, but what they really want right now is a promise that it will never happen again, that you’ll be loyal. And I want that too. The arrangement is bringing you good money. How much more do you want?” he whispered while his heart pumped the tar of disappointment.
Zolt swallowed, and his piercing gaze darkened. “You. I’ll do what you ask, but once they leave, I’m going to fuck you raw.”
The words pierced through Leo, and for a moment he just stared back, frozen in the headlights of Zolt’s bright eyes. A mix of trepidation and excitement washed over him, drenching him in sweat. He wanted it, and he didn’t want it at the same time. And if he agreed, he would get a taster without having to ask Zolt for it.
He feared pain, or how it would feel to submit to another man this way, but the heat of Zolt’s desire for him melted away inhibitions that for most of Leo’s life had kept him on the straight and narrow. Zolt was offering his full cooperation in exchange for Leo’s body, and while this should have made him angry, the fact that he inspired such strong lust had Leo ready to lie down for Zolt here and now as if it were a matter of life and death.
“O-okay,” he choked out, his throat dry and still sore from the fucking it had gotten earlier today.
With the blood in his beard and one of his cheekbones already swelling, Zolt looked like a barbarian, but even though he opened his mouth, he said nothing and stormed back into the store where Jack and Mike were picking up select pieces of jewelry and tossing them into a plastic bag.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Zolt roared, rushing forward despite Mike once again pointing the gun at him.
Jack tied up the bag with a final sound and rolled his shoulders. "This should cover Jeff's surgery, asshole."
Kane squinted at Leo, a serpent ready to strike his own kin. “Did you drive the point home?”
“Yes I fucking did!” Leo growled. “Tell ‘em, Zolt.”
Zolt’s fists were tight, trembling with the need to unleash violence, but he nodded after a glance at his aquarium and spoke in an even, if low voice. “If the Jackals come here again, I’ll let you know.”
Jack nodded. “Good. Happy to hear we’ve got an understanding.”
Like a pack of well trained, if ferocious, dogs, Mike and Kane left when Jack led the way out. Kane threw the baseball bat to the floor filled with shards of glass and pieces of the fish castle, but didn’t say another word.
Zolt followed them to the door and kicked it shut before putting on both the locks in complete silence. He remained still as the three bikes came to life and only faced Leo once their roar died down in the distance.
Chapter 12 - Leo
Leo’s skin was on fire. His lungs expanded and tightened at a rapid pace, pumping amounts of air that made his head feel as if it was about to detach from his body and float to the ceiling.
But Zolt remained silent with his hands on the steel door, his tall, broad silhouette so steady beyond the carnage of broken glass and parts of merchandise that could no longer be sold.
Leo waited, paralyzed by the silence left behind once his brothers and cousin could no longer be heard. His heart went silent, but the moment Zolt turned to face him with a hard expression that made him both scary and even more handsome, it rattled, as if it wanted to break free from Leo’s ribcage.