Chapter Five #2
Wow! Holden either had an exceptionally vivid imagination, or he’d watched one too many horror flicks.
She tightened her lips, doing her best to hold back a chuckle. She failed. Roxanne let out a soft snicker. “Does Cord have a habit of fucking women over?”
“He’s kind of a dick when it comes to girls.”
Why am I not surprised? After all, she was standing in his living room because he was trying to ghost her, and in turn, screw her over.
Little did Cord know he wasn’t dealing with a heartbroken girl.
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Roxanne eyed Holden, who was nervously rocking on his heels.
She was going to use this to her advantage.
If she had to guess, Cord’s brother could provide better insight into how his mind worked.
And? The best angle to use in approaching Cord.
“So, Holden, tell me …” Roxanne was interrupted by a slamming door coming from the back of the house. Loud and aggressive footsteps pounded on tile. She leaned forward, trying to see past the doorframe, but she couldn’t from her position. She did, however, hear voices. Someone’s not happy!
“I said I was sorry! Christ, man, like you’ve never fucked up?
Oh wait, that’s right you’re a goddamn saint.
My bad.” The irritated and anger-laced tone was all too familiar and Roxanne cocked her brow, sharing a look with Holden.
Welcome home, Cord. Your day is about to get shittier, you little prick!
“We’re not done here, Cord.” The second voice was deep, smooth and surprisingly, calm.
Cord came storming through the doorway with his fists balled and his boots stomping on the hardwood. She was about fifteen feet away, across the room and he didn’t even look over. If she had to guess from his direction and the layout, he was heading toward the stairs.
“He’s being a fucking dick.” Cord had his attention on his brother who stood near the steps as Roxanne watched the small exchange. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you, man.” Cord rounded the bend until Holden reached out grabbing his arm.
“Uh, you got company.” Holden lifted his chin in her direction. Cord jerked his head, looking over his shoulder with his gaze landing directly on Roxanne.
Hello, asshole!
She waved her fingers, smiling as she watched his tension instantly melt away only to be replaced by dread. Roxanne was fully enjoying the pure shock and panic flashing over his features.
“Oh fuck,” Cord muttered, dragging his hand over his face. As if his day couldn’t get any worse, here she was.
“Hello, Cord. Remember me?” Roxanne rested her hands on her hips and cocked her head. Oh, he remembers. He clenched his jaw and his cheeks hollowed.
“Shit.” He eyed the doorway he’d just come through and quickly glanced back at her, lowering his voice. “What are you doing here?”
“Well, since you won’t return my calls, I thought I’d stop by.” And surprise the hell out of you, shithead! She lost her smile and narrowed her eyes. “You owe me twelve-hundred dollars.”
“What?” Holden’s mouth fell open, darting his eyes between her and Cord. “Why do you owe her money?” Holden cupped his mouth and gasped. “Is she your bookie?”
Bookie?
Cord swiftly raised his hand, silencing the younger brother. He ground his teeth, giving a stern warning. “Shut up.”
Holden shook his head. “Oh man, if J finds out …”
“It’s not about that,” Cord snapped.
Whatever was happening between these two went beyond her little fender bender with Cord. It seemed she wasn’t the only person he owed money. Bookie? She sighed, shaking her head.
Cord inched forward and leaned in, whispering. “I’ll get you the money but you gotta leave. Now.”
Was he serious? It was almost comical and she’d have a good laugh retelling the story. After, she got her money.
Roxanne shook her head. “We tried that once before, remember?” She folded her arms. “I called you several times, left messages, all of which went unanswered.”
His cheeks flushed and she noticed him glance at the doorway again. Whatever or whomever was on the other side of the door would not bode well for Cord, she assumed.
“I know, I’ve been meaning to call you back. I just got busy. I’ll get it to you, I swear.” He pointed to the foyer. “But you gotta leave, right now.”
Roxanne released a heavy sigh, and snickered.
“No offense Cord, but your word isn’t worth shit to me.
I’m not leaving without the cash in my hand.
So, do what you gotta do.” She waved her hand toward the second floor.
“Run up those stairs, hit your money vault, your safe or your sock drawer.” She held out her palm.
“Twelve-hundred dollars, please.” She paused and held up her finger.
“And no, I will not accept a check, for obvious reasons.”
“Oh, you’re screwed, man.” Holden had to stop with his sideline commentary. She was having a hard time staying in character and keeping a straight face.
Cord clenched his fists. “Look, I’m good for it. I just need a few days.”
She started to shake her head even before he finished his sentence. “I gave you a week and you didn’t return my calls. I want it now.”
“Shit,” he blurted and immediately flicked his gaze to the door.
It seemed Cord was running out of time, and he knew it.
Without any type of warning, he reached out grasping her elbow.
It was a bold move and she’d admit, unexpected.
Roxanne hadn’t pegged either one of the boys standing in front of her as aggressive.
It wasn’t a tight hold but firm enough to send a shock to her heart. She yanked her arm and stepped back.
Who the hell did this guy think he was? The heat rose from her chest to her neck almost instantaneously.
It wasn’t often she was angered in a way that boiled her blood but right now she was on the verge of unleashing hellfire on Cord.
How dare he think he could put his hands on her!
Instead of fear for her safety, she was a fiery bomb about to explode.
She clenched her fists and lunged forward, sending both boys stumbling backward.
She pointed in his face. “Touch me again and I’ll have you on your ass in five seconds flat.” She shifted her gaze to Holden who was standing behind his brother. “And you in three.”
“Jay!” Holden shouted.
Cord whipped his head and snarled. “What are you doing?”
“Dude, she just threatened to lay us out. She looks small but I think she could do it. She’s psycho.” He shook his head with a small pout playing on his lips. “All the hot ones are.”
Roxanne sent him a glare and clamped her lips while stifling a chuckle. He inched closer to Cord’s back as if seeking protection. Ah, boys.
Cord threw his hands over his head in a sign of defeat. “He’s gonna fucking kill me.” Cord paced in the small area, sharing a look with his brother. Holden gave Cord a sympathetic nod.
Roxanne didn’t know who “he” was but from the boys’ reactions she assumed he would not be happy.
Roxanne had the distinct feeling he was the brother Cord had been talking about at the scene of the accident.
Clearly, it wasn’t Holden. She glanced between the boys.
There was something familiar about them.
Until the fender bender, she’d never met Cord or Holden.
Still, there was something. Same bone structure, the same green eyes and hair color.
She smirked. And the same dreaded twitch of their cheeks though Cord looked more annoyed than scared.
Her phone vibrated in her bag and while she was tempted to ignore it, she couldn’t.
It could’ve been Stone checking in on her.
The last thing she needed was him showing up as back up.
She felt a swell of empowerment in her chest. She was totally handling this situation.
She reached in her bag planning on sending her brother a quick text if it was him.
Then, all hell broke loose.
“Oh shit, she’s got a frickin gun. Jay!” Holden screamed.
Roxanne jerked her body and widened her eyes. It was absurd to think she’d pull a gun on anyone. However, she had just made a verbal threat. She moved forward to show him her phone, but he grasped Cord’s shoulders pulling him back against the wall.
“Fuck, Hold, it’s not a gun, you dumbass.” Cord tried pulling away from his brother but couldn’t get away from his death grip.
“Jay!”
“Calm down, it’s just a …” Roxanne slid her hand over the metal piece in her bag.
She gasped, stopping in mid step. Oh hell, she did have a gun.
However, unless asked, she wouldn’t be offering up that information.
Holden would probably have a full-blown panic attack.
As it stood, he was halfway there. “Relax, I was just grabbing my phone.”
His breath was heavy, obviously scared. “S-so, you don’t have a gun?”
Oh shit! By law, in their house, she had to disclose she was carrying a weapon.
She swallowed the knot in her throat and smiled, hoping to keep things calm. “I actually do but I …”
“Jay, help us, she’s got a gun!”
Roxanne staggered back a foot. What the hell had she gotten herself into?
Her own panic set in. This was a clusterfuck.
Before she could say another word, she heard heavy footsteps charging through the door.
Then they stopped. She jerked her head to the corner of the room with every intention of explaining the situation as quickly as possible.
However, the figure in the doorframe had her speechless.
What the …