Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 127146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
"Let's be rational here. Can we talk? He didn’t do anything, and I don’t want you to do something that could get you in trouble."
Who am I kidding? No one can touch these elite assholes.
Drew doesn't even glance my way but narrows his eyes at Stewart. "Rational? If you think this is irrational, you haven’t seen shit. And trouble? I’m not worried. Not even a little bit. If this idiot uses at least one of his last remaining brain cells, he won’t tell anyone about this.”
A red flush sweeps up Stewart's neck to his face. "What the fuck is your problem, man? She's not your girlfriend."
"Who said that? Not that it matters. She’s been claimed by me, and it certainly doesn't excuse the fact that you're a useless piece of shit who should be put down, especially after what I just witnessed you do.”
“What are you talking about? What did he do?” I struggle in Lee’s grasp.
"Easy, Bel. He's getting to it. Just wait," Lee whispers into my ear.
Carefully, I lean my head away so his warm breath isn't fanning across the sensitive skin of my ear. Something tells me I'm about to lose a client. I let out a long sigh, my shoulders slumping.
The men stand chest to chest until Drew practically growls, "Drink it. Now."
Stewart moves his hand like he's about to throw the drink in Drew's face, but Drew grabs him by the wrist, holding him there with what seems like minimal effort. Being this far away from the crowded carnival and with darkness approaching fast, no one can really see or hear us, so getting the attention of someone to help isn’t going to happen.
"Drink it," Aries orders from behind Stewart. "Or we'll make you drink it.”
His tone has an equal amount of menace as Drew’s. I don’t like this, not at all.
"What’s the big deal with the beer? If he doesn't want to drink, he doesn't have to," I chime in.
Stewart’s eyes fill with panic, and he tries to wrench away, but Aries grabs him around the shoulders and holds him back against his chest. Drew snatches the beer, grabs Stewart's nose, pinches it closed, and dumps the drink into his mouth.
My entire body trembles. "What the fuck? Why would you do that?”
Stewart makes a gurgling sound as if he’s choking, and all I can do is yell. “Help him! He’s choking.” Neither Drew nor Aries makes any attempt to help him. Instead, they release him and watch as he falls to his knees, his shirt soaked with beer.
Rolling to his side, he starts coughing, and I hear him suck a ragged breath into his lungs. Relief washes over me, but it is short-lived when Drew crouches in front of him. I can’t stand here and watch him bully someone who had no idea what he was getting into. Who cares if he touched me or asked me out? It’s not like anything happened anyway.
I try to jerk free of Lee’s hold, but there's no give. He tightens his grasp, which is now almost bruising. "Let go of me!"
"Wait for it," he insists, his tone softer, gentler, like he's coaxing a small animal.
I'm two seconds away from kicking him in the balls when Aries stands, holding up a baggie between his index finger and thumb. "Wonder how long it takes to kick in? I sure as shit have never had to use it. What do you say, Stew? How long until you can't even remember your own name?"
I glance back and forth between Aries and Stewart, looking at the bag, confused as to what I’m seeing. There's some cursing as Stewart pushes himself to his feet. Drew doesn’t let him move an inch without towering over him.
"Not only do you take out my girl but you try to drug her, too. No. Don't look at her, don't talk to her, and you sure as shit will keep paying for the tutoring you won't be getting, or I'll find you, and I promise you, I won't call the cops. I won’t talk to the school. I’ll deal with you as you should be dealt with. Dead. Six feet in the fucking ground.”
There's no reprieve. No give. Nothing but cold hard steel in every word he says. The reality of what could’ve happened presses against me. Was it too much for me to think he might actually want to go on a date with me? Not drug me and have sex with me? I blink back the rapidly forming tears from my eyes. I get it. It wasn’t like I was honest in accepting his invitation, but his intentions were to hurt me.
Drew motions to his friend, not even looking at me. Shame coats my insides as Lee releases his hold on me. My skin feels tender, and I try not to rub at my arms and give away my discomfort. It’s the equivalent of blood to sharks with these men. Instead, I wrap my arms around myself and ignore the cold settling into my bones.