Chapter Thirty-Five
He saw her at that funeral; he knew she looked familiar.
Didn’t even know who the dead guy was. He just heard there was food, so he showed up.
When he left the arena and heard the announcer say her name, all the damn dots connected.
He doubted she knew who he was; they were strangers back then too.
His buddy knew where she lived, so they simply stopped by and taught her a lesson.
Jasper volunteered to do the dirty work since he was new in town and no one really knew him.
Should’ve stayed in her own lane, got what was coming to her.
But now she’d done it again, and teaching her the same lesson twice wouldn’t bode well for his semi-clean reputation if anyone were to find out.
He wanted to find her though, scare her a little.
But first he had to deal with Junior. That scrawny little turd lost them a fuckin’ belt buckle and a thousand dollars cash.
“Sorry, Jas! I thought I had it but…”
“No! You hesitated! You lost your damn nerve! I need a partner who can win! Someone who’s got the guts to take risks! You’re out. I’ll get myself a new man.”
“No! Jasper, please! We were goin’ places man, we still can!” Jasper waved his hand, turned his back, and left Junior begging for another chance he’d never get. Jasper had other fish to fry, namely the little whore who showed back up a second time, to play a cowboy’s game.
As he passed underneath the stands where everyone in the crowd was cheering, he felt two powerful hands fist his shirt and throw him to the ground.
“Fuck! What the hell!” He shouted from where his face just planted in the dirt.
He tried to flip over but there was a boot in his back.
“Get off of me you son of a bitch! What’d I do? ”
“Shut up.” A deep, harsh voice echoed under the metal seating area. He didn’t recognize it, but it definitely sounded like a cop or military.
“Shit—did I forget to register my truck?” He grunted from his fetal position on the ground.
“No, you sick bastard. I’m here to collect justice, not your fuckin’ traffic violations.
” Whoever this stranger was, pissed didn’t even come close, and he was looking for a fight.
Jasper felt him fist the back of his shirt and flip him over, slamming the back of his head on the ground.
The man’s boot transferred to his crotch, applying pressure without mercy.
Jasper let out a yell as the beast in the dark screwed over his manhood.
“Get off!” He begged, but the man didn’t relent. “Who the fuck are you?” Jasper spit. The words, and all the leftover dirt from his mouth, flying towards his accuser as he grunted in pain.
“I’m your worst fuckin’ nightmare, here to haunt your dreams until the day you die.” The man roared through gritted teeth. Jasper still didn’t know what the hell he did to this asshole.
“Every time you feel like someone’s watching you, it’s me.
Every time you close your eyes and the wind howls, you’ll wonder if it’s your judgment standing outside the window.
” Who the fuckin’ hell was this? He wracked his brain, trying to think of anyone from his past that still might have a beef with him.
The demon in the dark leaned in closer. “From this day on, you’ll live your life on edge—and if I choose, you’ll disappear.
Your sick face, wiped from existence.” There really wasn’t any light except for the moon, Jasper could barely make out an expression.
“Remember this—I’m your Grim Reaper, the one who knows exactly what you did and who would happily spend a life sentence in prison for your murder—after you’re dragged down to hell where you belong.”
“Fine, fine!” Jasper begged. The man’s boot, still digging into his balls. “Just tell me what I did so I can pay you off, or whatever!”
“There’s not enough money in the world to erase what you did. The cowgirl who just kicked your ass in that arena—she ain’t your sin anymore.”
“Oooh, haha.” Jasper chuckled through the torture. “I get it. You like eating my sloppy seconds?” He heard the crowd roar as the Reaper’s fist connected with his face. And then it was lights out.