“DC here?”
“Yeah, come on in,” she says, stepping to the side to let me in. Music and laughter greets my ears the further I walk into the house. I’m not one to judge, but damn. There’s holes in the wall. Garbage everywhere. Sheets covering the windows and doorways with fans plugged in blowing hot air around. It smells of piss, weed, and mold. A baby cries in the distance, and I swallow thickly. This reminds me too much of my childhood, living in squalor while my mom whored around for drugs. Now look at me. Caspian is right. I'm just like her, but the difference is—I have no kids and nothing to live for, so fuck it. Might as well go big or go home.
“Yo, Brax. What up man?” DC shouts, getting up from the couch and setting down his kit, then walking over to me. “You came just in time. You want a hit?” he asks, and I look around at a few others smoking, drinking, and shooting up, and I think why the fuck not. Maybe it will take the edge off. Fuck it.
“Sure, man. What ya got?” I ask, and he smiles.
“Come on, have a seat and I’ll get you set up,” he tells me while walking around the couch, leading the way. He moves over a bunch of magazines, making a space for me to sit as he goes back to where he was. He reaches for his kit, producing a brand new needle from its package. My phone vibrates in my pocket but I ignore it. I don’t need anyone, nor do I want to speak to them. That shit can wait for later. I watch as DC loads the rig upthen passes it to me. The redhead comes to sit on my lap and ties a band around my bicep.
“You’re cute. Wanna go to Oz with me. It’ll be fun,” she purrs, licking her lips.
“Let’s follow the yellow brick road,” I reply, making her giggle as the pinch of the needle hits my veins and a sudden rush of heat flows through me.
I close my eyes, take a deep breath and revel in the numb feeling.There’s no more anger, no more hurt, no more sadness. There’s nothing. Absolutely nothing to fear as we fly through the sky leading us to Oz.
Chapter 28
Presley
“Gentlemen, sorry for the intrusion, but we need a word with my soon to be daughter-in-law,” Jake announces, and I squeeze Spade.
“No, no, no! Don’t leave me alone with them. Please?” I whisper, begging them to just stay put for the love of god.
“If our fathers order us out of here, we have no choice but to listen, Cherry,” Spade whispers back.
“Please. I’m afraid. They are going to hurt me,” I say as tears fall down my cheeks.
“Shh, we won’t leave here until they do,” Dario says, then looks up at Spade. “We will tell them we are going to enjoy some of the ladies here. They will believe it, ” he says, and Spade nods.
“It’s not like we have anything else to do. Jay is at Whitestone General and Jade won’t speak to us. Fuck it,” he answers, and I raise a brow. There’s that name again. Jade. Just as I’m about to ask who the hell she is, Jacob Lee rips me away from them, and I yelp.
“Yo, bro. Easy. She’s a lady,” Spade warns, and Jacob Lee scoffs.
“Yea, and mine to do with as I see fit. Move along trash,” he grits, and Spade laughs.
“Trash? Wanna run that back, bitch boy?” he growls, lifting his shirt and showing off his pistol. I look up at Jacob Lee who visibly swallows as Dario cracks his knuckles.Please, please, please say something else so he can get his ass handed to him. It would so make my fucking day.
“My apologies. I just lose my head when it comes to her,” he counters, and Spade smirks, muttering “Bitch.” And I grin.
“Next time you want to run your mouth, you might wanna check who the fuck you’re talking too,” Dario threatens, and again, I look up at Jacob Lee who is now shaking like a leaf. I wonder what happened to his face. He’s got a black eye and a bruise on his cheek.
“And who are you?” he asks.What a fucking idiot. He never learns to keep his mouth shut!
“Dario Roselli, and this is Spade Rodriguez,” he answers, and Jacob Lee’s eyes widen.
“Please forgive me for my rudeness. I didn’t know who you were, and I saw you both with your hands all over my girl,” he retorts, making Spade snicker.
“Funny how she’s at a brothel that trains girls like her to be the perfect wife. But you’re jealous? The math isn’t mathing my guy.” He laughs, and as Jacob Lee starts fumbling his words, a hand touches my naked back, and I stiffen.
“Boys, excuse my idiot son. I’m Jake Radley Senior. I’m one of the investors of this house. It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” he states, sticking his hand out for them to shake, which they do, along with introducing themselves. “Well, thank you for keeping her company. I look forward to doing business with you both in the future. Today is on the house for my son’s behavior. Enjoyyourselves,” he tells them, and they nod. Walking away. Jacob Lee’s hold tightens around my arm, making me wince as the rest of the men leave, clearing out the room. Jake walks over to the door, locking it as the last man leaves.
Jacob Lee shoves me away, and I fall back into the bar. A hand slaps me across the face, making my head whip to the side from the impact.
“You thought you could run and hide with Dalton and I wouldn’t find you, Presley. How many times do I need to tell you? You. Are. Mine!” he yells as Jake walks over and grabs me by the hair, forcing me to look up at him. His eyes are wild with his teeth baring at me in anger.
“Bartering with your life is going to get you killed. Do you think Dalton will treat you better than we can? No, he won't, he's more of a monster then the two of us put together! End this game now before it costs you your life!” he threatens, spitting in my face.
“Fuck you! I already tried leaving this fucking world. I would rather be with him than either of you any day!” I fire back as a fist flies out at me, hitting the side of my temple, making the room spin for a second. I lose my grip against the bar, but someone catches me and hits me again and again. I can’t fucking breathe—I can’t see as my body is thrown around the room, crashing into shit while glass shatters against the wood floor. I cry out, but a kick to the ribs has me doubling over, coughing. The room continues to spin the more my body is used as a punching bag. My chest caves in as I try to take a deep breath but it hurts so fucking bad.
