Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Joint stepped closer. “I just need a name. Then you’re free to go.”
I glanced behind him at Grizzo, who had paled a bit and looked ready to bolt. I opened my mouth to respond, but Serenity stepped to my side.
“I never got a name. I just had a premonition that you were all in jail. That’s it. I don’t even know if there is an informant. All I know is what my vision told me.”
Joint’s brows scrunched together. “A premonition? What the hell does that mean?”
“She’s a psychic,” I said. “Sometimes she gets visions. Now back off.”
Joint stepped back, but his eyes held suspicion. “If that’s the case, then you can tell me which of these guys—” He pointed to the men behind him. “—is loyal to me.”
My jaw clenched. Why had Serenity told him about her visions? “It doesn’t work that way.”
Serenity opened her mouth to explain, but I held my hand up. “Look, Joint, she doesn’t owe you a thing. You know why? Because, right now, she’s working for me and Vanetti, so like I said before. Back off.”
Joint glanced between the two of us and shook his head. “I think you’re both full of shit.” His gaze landed on Serenity. “So tell me this. If you’re the real deal, then you know the future, right? So you can stop something from happening, right? Well stop this.” He sent a powerful left jab to my chin.
I’d been expecting a move like that, and managed to pull my head back before he hit me. Gasping, Serenity jumped out of the way, and I locked gazes with Joint, my eyes narrowing and my lips twisting with a challenge. “She doesn’t need to see the future to know I’m gonna kick your ass.”
Anger sparked in Joint’s eyes, and he came at me. My training kicked in, and I relished the opportunity to use all my pent-up frustration on him. I’d sparred with him before, but I’d always held back. Not this time.
His specialty was boxing, but I had several years of martial arts and combat training that he couldn’t even dream of, and I let him have it.
He managed to get in a couple of solid punches, but I quickly got the best of him, and knocked him down. I pinned him with my knee in his back, twisting his arm in a painful grip. He refused to tap out, so I pulled just enough to hear his shoulder pop, along with his cry of pain.
I might have gone too far, but he needed to be put in his place. Standing over him, I released his arm, noticing that most of the gang had come out to watch, including Razor, who stood beside Serenity.
Joint moaned and rolled over, holding his dislocated shoulder to his side. Someone would have to put his shoulder back in the socket, but Joint had to know I could have done worse. I met Razor’s gaze, and he shrugged before telling everyone to get back to work. The men began to leave, and Razor hurried to Joint’s side.
I brushed the dirt off my clothes and followed Serenity to her car. She stepped to the driver’s side and got in. Starting the car, she wasted no time in pulling onto the street.
She spared me a glance, and I cocked my brow. “What?”
Shaking her head, she let out a breath. “You. I… I don’t know what to say. You’re like… those actors in the movies. Only you’re real. Those guys are just faking it.”
I snickered. “What do you mean?”
She shrugged. “It’s just… I’ve never met someone like you. I mean… you’re tough and all, but Joint is huge. I was a little worried, but you took him down so fast, it took me by surprise.”
“So… does that mean you’re even more impressed with me now?”
She huffed out a breath and glanced my way, shaking her head. “I’m just glad you didn’t mean it about giving Joint Grizzo’s name.”
“To be honest, I thought about it, but since I knew you’d be upset, I came up with a backup plan.”
Her brows rose. “What? Does Vanetti know?”
“Of course. We came up with a deal yesterday while you were asleep.”
“Oh… good.” She glanced my way, her gaze focusing on my forehead. “We should head back to my place so you can clean up. You’ve got a cut above your eyebrow.” She pointed to the dashboard. “There’s a tissue in the glove box.”
I opened the box and grabbed a few tissues to dab at my forehead. My knuckles were scraped as well, but it was totally worth it to put Joint in his place. Of course, I hadn’t scored any points with him, since I’d taken him down in front of his gang. But at least the others would think twice about taking me on. Besides, he started it, and I had a reputation to keep up.