Chapter 5
Putting my phone away, I repeat the list Taylor texted me to pick up from the convenience store on my way home. As I push through the glass door, the bell rings overhead, and I look up, taking in the scene before me.
There are two men in masks. One waves a gun around the customers who are crouched, looking terrified, while the other presses a gun to the clerk’s head.
The cash register is open, and a bag of money is open on the counter.
The display that usually houses scratchers is smashed on the floor beside them.
I tell myself it isn’t my problem.
Not my fucking problem.
Turning to the first aisle, I grab the pasta I need then cheese and bread before heading down the second aisle toward checkout.
The store is silent, and every eye is on me as I calmly place my items on the counter, pull some bills out, and glance up at the terrified clerk. “Can I pay for these, please?”
“Um, sure,” he squeaks, his big brown eyes wide as he scans them. The man aiming the gun at him stares at me in confusion. “Fifteen.”
I hand the cash over with a smile, grab what I need, and start to head for the door.
No bodies. Not my problem, I repeat to myself, but when a cry splits the air, I freeze and breathe deeply.
Not my problem. Not my problem. No more bodies this week. I’ve reached my quota—
The cry comes again, and I glance over my shoulder to see the other robber dragging a young schoolgirl to her feet.
He slides his hands across her shirt, trying to rip it open. When she kicks him, he presses the gun into her mouth. “Do you want to fucking die?” he snarls at her. Tears fall down her cheeks, but she kicks him again, and he presses it deeper until she chokes. “Do you want to fucking die?”
Ah, fuck it. As long as I don’t kill them, Taylor won’t be too mad.
I drop the groceries in my hand and turn.
“No, do you?” I snarl and rush toward him, kicking out.
He flies backwards into the glass freezer, and I duck under his friend’s shot.
Turning, I race to the counter, jump across it, and knock him back.
He hits the floor, and I grab his hand and snap his wrist, catching the gun as it goes flying.
Grinning at the wide-eyed clerk, I hand him the weapon. “Hold this for me.” I roll back over the counter and head toward the other robber, who’s trying to extract himself from the broken freezer.
When he sees me coming, he raises his gun again.
Ducking left, I avoid the shot and then dart right, and when I reach him, I slam my fist into his face. “Do you want to die?” I ask him.
He tries to raise his gun, but I smash my fist into his face again and feel his nose bust like a grapefruit.
Grabbing his hair, I slam his face into the door before dragging him across the floor.
He cries out, tugging my wrists as I throw him at the feet of the girl before grabbing his gun and pressing it to his head. “Apologize.”
He stutters, and I shake him.
“Apologize!” I roar as she gapes.
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he yells, turning his eyes up to me.
“Not good enough.” Crouching, I drag the gun down his face. “I can understand the need to steal or even murder, sure, but that? That was for fun, not survival.” Pressing the gun against his lips, I meet his eyes. “Open your mouth.”
Tears slide down his cheeks as he struggles to breathe.
“Now,” I order.
He opens it, and I shove the gun inside. He chokes, slapping me as his face turns purple. “Not nice, is it? Remember, there is always someone stronger than you. These are my streets. If I catch you doing shit like this again, I will make you wish I pulled the trigger. Understood?”
He nods, even as he gags, and I pull the gun out.
Emptying the clip, I pop the bullet from the chamber and dismantle it before tossing it into the freezer.
“You will stay here until the police arrive and tell them what you did. You will serve your time, and when you come out, you will get clean. There are other ways to earn money.”
I blow my hair from my face and glance around at the mess, then I head back to the counter and hold out my hand. The wide-eyed assistant passes the gun over, and I dismantle it and lay it on the counter before looking around again.
Pulling out more cash, I set it on the counter with a tap. “For the mess,” I say as I walk to the door, glass crunching under my feet. I stop to pick up the items Taylor wanted, and then I head outside toward my bike.
“Wait!” I turn as the young girl and her friends run out. She’s wiping her tears away but smiling at me. “Thank you. That was so fucking cool! Oh my god!”
“You’re welcome. Go home, okay?” I tell her as I stow my stuff and grab my helmet. She follows me, and I raise an eyebrow as I swing my leg over my bike and lean against the tank. “What is it?”
“You’re, like, so cool. I want to learn to fight like that. Can you teach me?” she gushes.
“No, but there’s a gym two blocks down. Reacher will teach you,” I reply. If she wants to learn, I won’t stop her. Everyone should be able to protect themselves.
“Thank you, I will, seriously. You’re so cool. Straight up mommy material.” She giggles.
“Please don’t ever call me that again,” I grumble as I pull my helmet on.
“Sure thing, Mother.” She smirks.
Rolling my eyes, I slam my visor down and point at her. “I mean it. Go home and behave.”
“Bye, Mommy!” she calls loudly over the revving of my engine. Scoffing, I pull out.
Kids these days. Fuck, I sound old.
I should head home, but Taylor is still in a mood, so instead I drive to Night Tails for a drink so I can work up my courage to face her wrath. When I pull up outside and park my bike, I eye the two black Mercedes idling in front of the bar. A man in a suit nods at me, and I tilt my head.
Nobody like that comes to a place like this. It’s a dive bar. They have good liquor and music, but it’s mostly a safe place for us street kids to hang out—neutral territory.
Who is here starting trouble? I have an idea, and I know I should turn around and leave, but if it is them, then they won’t give up that easily. It’s better to see it through now and discover what they want.
Sighing, I stow my helmet. Can’t a bitch have just one day without a man causing trouble and making her have to clean up his mess?
One would assume I hate men, and most of the time, I do, but I also love them when I need them. I just don’t really need a man for anything. Fucking? I could probably fuck myself better. Protection? No thanks, I can handle that.
Money? I have plenty.
The thing is, men sense that about me, and it makes them insecure. They don’t know how to react when they can’t manipulate a situation or lord something over me. It usually makes them act in one of two ways—feral or angry.
I’m going to bet on feral with the three Sai boys.
They aren’t used to being denied, born with silver spoons in their mouths and told they are God’s gifts to our world. They were bred and raised to be the best and lead their family, and now they are here.
Pushing through the padded leather door, I scan the bar and find them in the back booth, the pole right next to them. The music is low, which is unusual, even for a slow night. The other patrons look nervous, and there are men wearing suits lining every single wall with guns at their waists.
I guess having the three heads of the Sai family in one place makes them nervous.
Ignoring them, I walk across the sticky floor, past the tables, and slide onto a stool at the long black bar.
I grab some ice and wrap it around my hand, ignoring the men staring at me. “Vodka, please, babe.” I smile sweetly at Sash. She moves behind the bar, pouring it for me, and when she slides it over, she leans in. “They are chasing my customers away.”
“Got it.” Downing my drink, I keep my knuckles wrapped as I slip from the stool and head their way.
They watch me approach, their drinks untouched before them.
I know enough about them now to tell them apart—Kane, Neo, and Zayn Sai.
Their guards shuffle as I stride right to their table, not stopping until I’m next to it. “What can I do for you?”
“Ah, we were just waiting for you.” Zayn toasts me. “Take a seat.”
“No thanks.” I eye their drinks. “Don’t be rude. Drink your drinks and then get the fuck out,” I say sweetly. “There is nothing here for you to wait for.”
The big asshole, Kane, bursts into laughter, and we all turn to look at him in surprise.
Chuckling softly, he leans back and watches me with dark eyes. “Now I’m even more interested. Sit, Karma. Now.”
This dick . . .