Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34588 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34588 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
“What’s wrong?” he asks, gripping my shoulders while I attempt to steel my expression.
“Nothing’s wrong.”
“Bullshit.”
“You rushed into the bathroom when your phone rang, and forgive me but after that bullshit with Taylor, I let my jealousy get the better of me. I only heard ‘Just don’t touch my stuff.’ I’m assuming that was your aunt.” Fucking nosy damn cop.
“Yeah. She’s going to throw my things out if I don’t go get them,” I confess.
“I’ll take you over there right now and then we can go get some breakfast. How does that sound?”
“Perfect.” I have to admit that having him by my side does make me feel better.
Chapter Ten
Law
The entire drive to her aunt’s apartment she’s a nervous wreck and there’s more to it. I don’t like that she’s wringing her fingers. If I didn’t want to cause more trouble in her life, I’d have her aunt arrested and tossed in jail for extortion because I heard more than I let on. The aunt was loud enough to have Mack concerned. Wrench and Mack’s house is a small three-bedroom home and she heard Margie through the door, but it’s my job to protect Vanessa from now on even if it’s just from someone trying to guilt trip her.
“We’re here. I’m going to go ahead of you,” I inform her. As tough as my girl is, I need to show her I’m there for her.
“It’s not like she’s going to attack me.” She has no idea how fucked up her aunt truly is. For years, Margie has kept the fact that she’s a drug addict from her family. I’m not sure how much Vanessa knows about it or the just the severity, but I do know what happens to an addict who doesn’t have their next fix.
We hop out of the vehicle and walk to the apartment building. Vanessa tries to march ahead of me like I didn’t give her an order, so I stop her in the hallway and pin her to the wall. “I don’t care. Do you understand me, Vanessa. It’s my job to keep you safe, and this woman is off her damn rocker. Jeff Motts was her supplier. She hasn’t had rocks in a day in a half. There’s no telling how bad she’ll react.”
“Are you serious?” Her eyes widen and then there’s the pain I was afraid of, the heartache, and fear.
“Yes.”
“So he’s dead?”
“No, the bastard is in jail, awaiting his trial date, but his brother and sister-in-law are dead at his hands no less.”
“What?” she gasps.
“I’ll explain it all to you later, but for now, let’s get your things.”
She throws her arms around me and kisses my neck. When she leans back to look at me, she says, “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. I’d do anything to make you happy,” I inform her, cupping the back of her head and pulling her in for a hard, fast kiss. Once we’re up the one flight, I sense the tension double in Vanessa’s body. Pressing my hands to her shoulders. “Remember, I won’t let anything get between us again.” I kiss her temple and then I knock on the door even though Vanessa has the keys.
The door opens and her aunt looks like absolute shit. “You called the fucking cops on me. What a bitch!” She violently tries to slam the door, but I put my hand out.
“Ms. Gordon, don’t try me. I’m not here as a law enforcement official, but as Vanessa’s boyfriend.” I want to admit to more, but then I don’t have a ring in hand for Vanessa.
“Oh, so you’re going to pay her share of the money she stole from me?”
“She didn’t steal a dime and you know it.” I look to my woman and say, “Baby girl, go get your things while I have a quick conversation with your aunt.”
“Are you sure?”
“Don’t worry about me, little hellcat.” I wink at her. She leaves and I snarl at the aunt. “Sit the fuck down before I lose it on you. You are a hair’s breadth away from ending up in jail or dead. Think long and hard about what you want because those are your current options if you don’t fix yourself. You’re lucky Motts didn’t come here to finish you off before he went on his little spree yesterday or you wouldn’t need dope money. I’d be notifying your next of kin.”
“Baby girl, I swear I said get your shit together not sit around and listen. I warned your ass about not listening before.” A moan comes from the doorway and then the sound of her light footsteps take off to the bedroom followed by the door closing.
“Isn’t she a little too young for you? Is it the pussy or that she’s famous?”
“Famous?” I already knew about the book launch and success for a long time. Still, how does she know about my woman’s career.