What the hell was he doing?
With his hand still blocking my mouth, Nathan narrowed his eyes. “You think I’m a pussy?”
Bo glanced at me. “A real man would’ve beaten the shit out of him instead of throwing empty threats like a bitch.”
I never hated him more than I did right then.
Nathan’s eyes darted from Bo to me. “Are you going to get in my way?”
“Nah, I’ll just watch. I won’t let you kill him, though.”
“I’m not a killer, but I’ll take you up on your offer.”
He removed his hand from my mouth and took a small step back. Before I could try to flee, he sent his fist at the side of my head. Pain exploded, slicing through my skull. I tried to push him back, but he didn’t budge. I had never been in a fight in my life, but I had to do something. I sent my fist at his face, but he brushed it away before I could hit him, retaliating with a knee to my crotch. I gasped and sank to the floor, struggling to breathe.
“Careful with his pretty face.” Bo shut the door behind him. “And don’t rush it. We have time.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
2006
Hayden called when I was sitting at my station, making yet another pair of earrings. I muted Tori Amos on the stereo and answered with, “Jonah Carter’s Jewelry Services. How may I help?”
“Hmm, I’m calling about a nipple piercing.”
“We pride ourselves on being a respectable business, sir. I’m afraid we can’t cater to your nipples.”
“That’s a shame. Many people told me they were top tier.”
“Many?”
“A few dozen give or take. Is this your final decision, then?”
“I’m afraid so. May I interest you in a cock ring instead?”
He laughed, which meant I won.
“Doing jewelry again?”
“Yeah, I don’t have anything major I feel like working on.”
“Well, you always said it was a great way to switch off the brain.”
“True. I haven’t had a single thought in three hours.”
“Good.” He went quiet, and I felt that something was up.
“What is it?”
“I found him, Jonah. I know where Bo lives.”
We hadn’t talked about him since I’d identified his mugshot a few days ago. I’d almost gotten used to spending time withHayden without obsessing over the case, both of us trying our hardest to talk about anything else.
“Based on the records, he doesn’t live far, and he also made it very hard to find him.”
“Where does he live?”
“Lakewood, on a street called Hardwick. It seems he has a family.”
