Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 95147 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95147 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, if you even call her again, your son is going to pay the price. Now go home, and forget you ever knew her. She doesn’t want your pansy-ass son. She’s got me, and I’m going to make sure she’s taken care of. You know what that means don’t you? No more handouts.” I made sure to raise my voice there at the end and kept it raised for the rest. Hopefully, this would put an end to the neighbors doing her dirty work for her.
“You and your welp took her for everything you could in the divorce; now you’re after her company, the company that’s been in her family before she even met your worthless piece of shit, son.” Thanks, Nat, for sharing that bit of information with my boy.
The way she looked around, all flustered, I knew she didn’t want the neighbors to hear that part because both she and her offspring had been telling anyone who would listen how my girl had robbed him of what was his. I guess most people didn’t know the real story because those curtains were pulled back, and no one was trying to hide the fact that they were listening. I pretended not to notice, even when I heard footsteps behind me.
She noticed Stephanie at about the same time I did and started in on her with the name-calling. I reached for my phone and put it to my ear. “You can start with the place on Stanton.” The old lady’s eyes grew wide, and she stepped back. I put my phone away and smirked down at her.
“What have you done? What does that mean? Stephanie, are you going to let him….”
I reached for the phone again, “When you’re done there, you can head over to the one on Sycamore as well.” I raised my brow at her as if to ask if there was anything else.
“I…what…you….” Now she was stuttering and trying to find a thought because I’d just named the two places where her son’s car dealerships were located. I hadn’t planned to deal with him this soon, but since she wanted to play hardball, why wait?
She took one last look at me, then looked over my shoulder and started to say something. “If you say anything else to her, anything at all, even hello, you’ll only make it worst. Stephanie is off-limits to you, your son, and anyone you’re acquainted with from today onward. What I just did to your son is nothing compared to what I will do in the future if you hurt her again. Now get the hell out of here, and don’t ever come back.”
I knew from the nasty smile that came across her face that she wasn’t going to stop until her son was six feet deep with this shit. “You don’t know what she’s like. She….” Since she was addressing me and not Stephanie, I guess she thought she had me. Nice way to get around me, lady.
“Uh-uh-uh, that’s not allowed either. You’re not allowed to talk about Stephanie, don’t even mention her name. If I hear any more whispers about her, whether you were the one to start them or not, I’ll take it as you are, and your son will pay the price. Your phone’s ringing; your son needs help.”
I slammed the door again and turned to Steph, who was standing there in tears. I thought she would light into me, but I was ready for her ass, too, because I was not in the mood. I know I don’t have to fight all of her battles for her, but when she’s too cowed to face this one and others like her, that’s where I come in.
I get where she’s coming from, she doesn’t want to disrespect the old lady or burn any bridges, but that way of doing things has only allowed the woman to become bolder in her actions. Maybe now the neighbors know the truth, they’ll stay the hell out of her shit, or they’re next.
I walked over to stand in front of Steph, who was still crying with her face hidden in her hands and her shoulders shaking as she tried to stem the flow of tears.
“Look, Steph, I know….” Before I could get another word out, she flung herself at me and wrapped her arms around my neck, burying her face in my chest. “What is it, baby? Stop crying; she can’t hurt you anymore. Come on now.” I petted her shoulders and kissed the top of her head, and nothing; she still bawled into my chest.
I picked her up and headed for the living room and the couch, where I sat with her on my lap and let her cry herself out, and I still didn’t know why she was crying. “Thank you!” She sniffled out the words.