Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 88080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
I clench my jaw. “Right.”
“In case you need reminding…” He lifts his shirt, revealing a gun tucked into his waistband. “Kayden is my brother. I have shit to do and can’t keep an eye on him. Your brother is one of my most trusted guys, which means you’re one of my most trusted guys. I don’t want anyone thinking they can get to me through Kayden. While this job is easy, it’s fucking important.”
“I get it. I’ll keep an eye on baby Ramirez. Don’t need a fucking reminder.”
He shrugs. “I think you do.”
This party is on Rockford turf. A bunch of fucking losers—mostly teenage bitch boys—waltzing around like their shit doesn’t stink. It’s annoying and I’d rather be anywhere than here. Anywhere than watching Kayden act like he’s the toughest sonofabitch in the room. My thoughts turn to Roux. Always Roux. Since I’m bored to fucking tears watching him work the room, I decide to answer Roux’s text from last night.
Me: I don’t turn the feelings off. I just turn them off where everyone else can see them. The feelings never go away. Never.
It shows that she’s read the message, but she doesn’t reply. I let out a heavy, resigned sigh and pocket my phone.
Babysitting this dickhead is so damn boring. There are a thousand things I’d rather do, all of them with Roux. When the dickhead in question catches my eye over the crowd, he saunters my way, a smug grin on his face.
“I really thought you’d try and hook up with her,” he says, his face twisting into a cruel smirk. “Guess you have morals or some shit.”
“Don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say coolly.
“Right.” He takes a long pull of his beer, eyeing me up and down. “Doesn’t matter. I’ve been trying to get her back. I know she’ll give in soon. She missed my dick.”
His taunts boil my blood, but I don’t let him have the satisfaction of pissing me off.
“You almost done here?” I ask. “This shitty party bites.”
“Naw, man,” Kayden bites out. “I’d rather fuck with you about wanting my girl and not getting to have her. Must be a huge fucking blow to your ego. I bet you’re used to bitches falling at your feet. You know better with Roux. She’s not like most girls. Has a brain in that head of hers. Did you put a move on her and get turned down? She’s not some whore.”
“Shut the fuck up,” I snarl, losing patience and quickly.
Knowing he’s hitting all the right nerves, he grins in triumph. “I’ll wear her down and be fucking her by the end of the month.”
I shove him hard away from me, sending his beer bottle flying into the crowd. Murderous hatred gleams in his eyes as he gets to his feet and shoves me back. Unlike his scrawny ass, I don’t move when he shoves me. I fist my hand, ready to level his ass, when another fight breaks out. Baby Ramirez’s crew and several Rockfords. Kayden, without hesitation, charges toward the fight, ready to help his guys. Because it’s my fucking job, I follow after him. Kayden holds his own at first, flinging punches left and right. But when three guys crowd him at once, all of them packing heat, I know I have to intervene before he gets his ass shot.
I grab the guy on the left, sucker punching him in the kidney. He groans when I shove him hard to the floor. His buddy swings at me, but I’m quicker, aiming right for the gut. As he gasps for air, I tackle the third guy, wrestling his gun from his grip. It fires, making people scream and rush from the brawl. I manage to rain punches down on his punk-ass face. Ramirez’s guys get the upper hand as we kick these Rockfords’ asses.
“Party at Renaldo’s!” Kayden yells out. “Everyone except these bitches are invited!”
People cheer as Kayden struts around like he’s a goddamn king. I can’t stand this idiot. It takes forever to round his ass up, but once he’s in his car safely headed to his brother’s, I bail and head home myself. He’s Renaldo’s problem now.
It’s well after two in the morning when I get home. Everyone is asleep, including Roux. I peek in to check on her. She never responded to my text which I hate, but probably deserve.
“Everything okay?”
I pull my head out of Roux’s doorway to look at Roan. “Yeah. Just taking care of the usual shit.”
“It’s only temporary. Then you’ll be free,” he reminds me.
“I hope you’re right.”
He heads back to his room and closes the door. I take a quick shower, throwing on a pair of sweats after. When I exit the bathroom, Roux stands in the hall, her arms crossed over her chest in front of her.