Chapter Twenty-One
Jordy
B ob is going to kill my ass for rolling up there late on a Saturday since it’s our busiest day, but I can’t help it. I’m tired as fuck. Stayed up late shooting the shit with Hollis, Roan, and Roux. It’s the most fun I’ve had in forever. Hollis got drunk and that guy’s a funny bastard when he’s wasted. Roux wasn’t allowed to drink, but for as much as she giggled, she may have well been drunk. Roan’s eyes glittered with so much damn happiness.
My chest expands at the realization.
Roan has everything he wants now. Love. His sister. Firefighting. And his best friend. Five years ago, I would’ve never predicted the outcome of any of this. Everything was so uncertain. Roan fucked and fled. His mom was a cunt who strung them along, barely doing her job as a parent. He had shitty grades and a lack of direction. And I was on a path of destruction myself.
Somehow, though, it all turned out all right.
Or it will be.
Right now, there are some serious fucking issues in the plan that involves me. I’ll get them straightened out, but it’s going to take some time and patience. Both of which I learned while in prison.
While the three of them sleep, I rush and get ready. I’m in such a mad dash to get downstairs to my car, I almost miss the person leaned against their car parked beside mine.
Unfiltered hate ripples from him.
Again.
“What the fuck is your problem, man?” I demand, squaring my shoulders. “You stalking me now?”
The nerd—Gio—sneers at me. “I came here to ask you the same.”
“I’m not stalking you.”
“You’re stalking my wife,” he snarls, storming my way.
This dude is shrimpy. Small and thin and fucking useless. I could knock him out in one punch. I’m not afraid he’ll whip my ass, so I stare down at him in a bored way that seems to infuriate him more.
“Why the hell would I stalk Sidney?” I growl. “I don’t even like her.”
He shoves me with about as much force as Roux. I take a step back, distancing myself so I don’t kill his ass.
“You know why,” he bites out. “And I can’t…” His voice cracks. “I can’t let you do that. You won’t take this from us.”
I lift a brow. So he and Sidney both know and don’t care? That’s as much of a confession as anything I’ve ever heard.
Too fucking bad.
“Sorry, bro,” I say with a shrug, “but I don’t know if I can back off from that . If you were so worried, why stay here? Why not move away?”
“We have family here. Support. My job. It’s not that easy.” Heartbreak shines in his eyes. “Please. I’m begging you.”
Guilt washes over me, seeping into my pores. I’m not some homewrecking asshole. But I’m also not blind. I can’t sit back and ignore something that’s not right.
“You may think you’re doing the right thing, even if for selfish reasons,” I mutter. “It doesn’t feel so right to me. You guys should come to Campfire Chaos. Roan was talking about everyone meeting up again. The three of you should make an appearance. Does Sebban like to camp?”
“Don’t you ever say my son’s goddamn name!” Gio roars.
“Whatever, man. I’m late for work. I’ll back off, but inevitably you’re going to have to face reality.”
“Get fucked.” He storms over to his sedan and jumps in. For such a stupid dad car, it sure does peel out and make a shit ton of noise like it’s something badass.
Annoyed at this altercation that’s making me even later for work, I hurry to my car and climb inside. The drive to the restaurant doesn’t take long. I’m rushing to get out and inside when I’m suddenly shoved from behind.
What the fuck?
I swirl around, ready to level Gio’s ass if he followed me, but come face to face with Rex. His features are murderous.
Oh, shit.
“Rex,” I grit out.
“Hold him,” Rex says to two guys who approach.
I tense up, but they’re on me before I can escape. The vein in Rex’s neck thumps hard as his face turns purple with rage.
“One job, motherfucker. You had one job.”
He swings a fist, hitting me square in the jaw. I groan as pain explodes in my face.
“You were supposed to watch him,” Rex snarls. “Not let him get his ass kicked by that cop’s douchebag kid!”
Fuck.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
I take another hit to the face. This one, splitting the skin on my cheek. Another hit. My eye starts to swell. Another hit. Lip is busted. Another hit. Black out. Another hit. Wake up, confused. Another hit.
Over and over.
And then I’m on the ground.
Kick after kick after kick.
My spine burns and my kidneys ache. I’m seconds from puking on the gravel. The world spins violently around me, making my stomach churn harder.
Rex squats and peers down at me, his head blocking out the morning light behind him. He thumps me in my head, making my throbbing headache worse.
“I don’t give people a second chance. I’m not your fuckin’ parole officer.” His eyes narrow. “But Juno is good to me. And because of that, I owe him one.” He spits on me. “One, Jordy. That was your one. Had Kayden been shot or worse, I would’ve kicked your face in until you were unrecognizable, and they’d be forced to close your coffin.”
A groan rasps out of me.
“I’m watching you, Martin. Your every move. The places you go. The people you see. The bitches you fuck.” He chuckles. The sound of it is dark and ominous. “All it takes is one more fuck-up and I’ll destroy everything you care about.”
I black out and don’t come to until Rex is long gone. Bob fusses over me, asking what the hell happened. He doesn’t offer to call the cops because he can’t. If I’ve learned anything the past couple of weeks, it’s that Rex owns this fucking town.
And it’s going to take more than just me to bring that motherfucker down.
Everything I cook today makes me queasy. The smell of the savory meats and vegetables would normally have me starved by dinner time, but I can barely function without wanting to be sick. Bob wanted to send me home, but the last thing I wanted was for Roan or Roux to wake up seeing me like this. Who the hell knows what Roan would do. I don’t need his ass out there trying to fight my battles for me.
A sweet, familiar voice cuts through my haze. I cut my eyes over to the register where Bob talks to Roux. She’s handing him an application that’s been filled out. Last night she mentioned she needed to get a job, but I didn’t think she meant here.
Panic claws at me.
She can’t work here.
Not with Rex breathing down my neck.
A smile is tugging at her lips until her eyes meet mine. One quick perusal of my beat to shit face, and she’s pushing through the door into the kitchen.
“Jordy!” she shrieks, her eyes teary as she looks up at me. “What happened?”
I wince when she touches my bruised cheek. “Got in a scuffle.”
Her amber eyes turn hard. Just like Roan’s. “Oh hell no. Not now. Not after everything. Tell me who did this to you. I’m not buying your usual protector bullshit. Tell me the truth.”
“Rex,” I mutter with a sigh.
“Why would he…” she trails off, horror washing over her features. “Kayden? Is he…”
“He’s fine. Just got his bitch ass kicked when I left last night.”
“Because of me.” Her eyes water and her bottom lip trembles. “I’m so sorry.”
I cup her face with my palms, frowning at her. “This is not your fault. None of this is your fault.”
“You should go to the doctor. Your cheek looks like it might need stitches.”
“Nah,” I grunt. “I’ll be fine. Why are you even here anyway? Not that I mind seeing you.”
She nods, gesturing to the wall. “Garrett’s buying the building. The vacant space next door is where he’s going to open his office.”
“He’s staying here? Charlotte and Penny will be happy.”
Her smile is brief. “Yeah. I think it’ll be a good thing having her dad here. Anyway, Hollis and Roan are looking at the space with him. I decided to come over here and apply for a waitress job when I saw the sign in the window. Wouldn’t it be cool if we worked together?”
My heart clenches in my chest. Working with her, under normal circumstances, would be fun. Getting to see her more often would be great. But it can’t happen.
“I’d like that but not with Rex riding my ass. It’s not safe, Little Hornet.”
All happiness fades as understanding dawns on her.
“I want to kill him,” Roux seethes. “Can’t we go to the cops?”
I grab her hand, leading her to the back where Bob has a small desk wedged into what looks like used to be a supply closet. Quickly, I close the door behind us.
“Listen, baby,” I murmur, pressing a kiss to her mouth even though it hurts my split lip. “You can’t say shit like that. He has people everywhere. Even here.”
Fear shimmers in her coppery eyes. “I didn’t think…”
I stroke my fingers through her soft hair. “Just be careful what you say. I’ll be fine. I guess I needed the reminder of what a psycho Rex is.” I close my eyes. “It’s not safe for you to be around me. If he knows what you mean to me…” I swallow down that statement. “He can’t know.”
She hugs me. “I’ll be careful. I’m so sorry, Jordy.”
“It’s okay,” I rumble. “Everything’s going to be okay. Give me some time to work shit out.”
Her head tilts up so she can see me. “I want to help.”
“You can’t,” I growl.
“I’m not letting you go to prison again. And I sure as hell am not letting you die. Tell me what I can do.”
Everything in me screams to take her back to the dining room and deposit her into her brother’s arms where she’s safe. But Roux’s not some helpless, scared girl. I know how she grew up. She’s had a rough life. The girl is made of tough stuff.
She’s a Hornet like me.
I draw her close, brushing my lips to her ear.
Whispered words tumble from my mouth. With each word, she hardens, straightens, grows determined.
I guess she’s right.
Having people on my team is better than going at it alone.