Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 71246 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71246 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
“Dude, we didn’t kill him, and my brother is the dean of the school. He’d back me up if need be. I’m not worried.”
Roman grits his teeth. “You should be. Make sure the girl stays afraid and keep an eye on her. I’ll be in touch with you.”
Blinking, I’m a little shocked at how unreasonable he’s being. He’s always chilled and laughing, but this side of Roman is anything but laidback or joyful. It’s like I’m seeing a whole new side of him for the first time. The angry look on his face would have most men pissing their pants by now. I’m not afraid or intimidated though.
“Is everything okay, man?”
“Just do this, and I’ll call you later.” He sighs, turns, and walks back to the door. At the last second, he turns and looks at me over his shoulder. Something like remorse flicks across his face. “I’m serious, Lex. The girl is a liability. Make sure she stays quiet or someone else will.”
Confusion drips steadily into my mind, but I haven’t the first fucking clue what he’s talking about. I don’t get the chance to ask him either because he slips out the front door, leaving me standing there like he was never here.
What the hell is going on?
Scrubbing a hand down my face, I sigh into the quiet room. Something tells me there is more to Roman and Luke then they’re letting on. The way Luke acted tonight, it wasn’t just anger that was flowing through his veins. He looked like he was capable of killing. I’d never seen him like that before. Then Roman shows up here, spouting nonsense. I’m not sure why, but I walk over to my laptop and open it up, navigating to the internet.
I’ve never even considered looking someone up, but here I am. Typing in the name of Roman’s gym, I hit the enter key and wait for the results to appear. At the very top of the page is the gym’s website. Then there are a bunch of other gyms as well as blog posts and such.
Going to the next page, I see a post at the top that says: Owner of Local Gym, Iron’s Fists, Ties to the Mob?
Swallowing thickly, I click on the link and wait not so patiently for the page to load. It’s an article for the city of North Woods from a couple of years ago. My eyes scan over the words, and it’s like I can’t gobble them up fast enough. The article is clearly written by someone to smear their names and the gym’s based simply on the content.
Many claim Ivan and Roman Petrov may be involved with the Rossi Crime Family and are simply using the “gym” as a way to build up an image here in North Woods.
I don’t continue reading; instead, I slam the laptop closed.
Rossi Crime Family? Mob? Cartel?
Fuck, this is bad, and now I’ve drug Jude into it. Panic starts to take hold, but I shove it away, clearing my head. I can’t jump to conclusions based on one article. Roman and Luke have been good to me, been my friends when I needed one, gave me a job, and an outlet for my anger. Surely, it’s a lie. No way are they doing anything illegal. Luke is just protective of his wife. Roman is just worried about Luke and me getting in trouble. That’s all this is.
Deciding to shelve the feelings at least until tomorrow, I push off the couch and go to check on Jude. I know she doesn’t want to be here, but having her here is going to make me feel more at ease. When I promised to protect her, I never put an expiration date on it, and I meant what I said. I would protect her from anything and everything.
Reaching the door, I hear the sound of the shower. My mind goes to a place it shouldn’t, envisioning her naked, the water cascading over her delicate skin. Of course, my cock hardens at the thought. Shaking my head, I remind myself that I have so many questions I want to ask her. Like, why she left that night, and why she chose to give me her virginity?
Staring at the door for a long second, I turn around and walk back into the living room, sinking down onto the couch. Pulling out my phone, I scroll through Facebook to give myself something to do. My head is swimming with thoughts right now, and all I want to do is shut down. All that matters in my mind is that I found Jude again. Now, I just have to find a way to make her stay.
4
Jude
My chest heaves as I stare at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. I didn’t hear much of what they said through the thick door. Even with me pressing my ear to the wood, I could only make out bits and pieces.