“Don’t be stubborn, it’s not about you, it’s what’s best for Amelia at this point.”
“This isn’t me being stubborn, Mr. Haynes.”
“She needs something to focus on…”
“Then I’ll go see her and make her see sense.”
I hang up and the first thing I hear is Clare’s shrill laughter coming from upstairs. Her and Tariq disappeared up there a few hours ago.
Jermaine and mine eyes meet, he heard it too.
“Your girl got two years because of her, when does that bitch get her comeuppance?”
Swiping my tongue over my bottom lip, I fucking snarl. Like a dog. A Dog of Dog City.
“Tonight.”
Jermaine jumps up from the chair and rushes the stairs. Moments later, I listen to him banging on Tar’s door and the laughter stops.
“We’ve got somewhere to go,” he says vaguely. “Get your girl ready and let’s go.”
I don’t catch what Tar asks him. I lean back on the couch and tuck my gun into the holster strapped to my chest.
Jermaine comes down the stairs with Tar and Clare close behind him. Rising from the couch, I ignore her as I have been doing. I don’t want to give her reason to feel uneasy and run off. Or worse, make a scene and bring unwanted attention to us.
“Where we going?”
“There’s trouble over at Haver’s place,” I lie.
“Why’s Clare coming then?”
“She wants in, she can prove herself. I thought that was what you wanted?”
Not another word is said as we head out and not until we pass Haver’s bar and head for the city limits.
“What the fuck, Dar?” Tar snaps.
Jermaine sat in the back and pulls out his gun, aiming at the two of them to keep them under control.
“You fucking liar,” he snaps but I keep my mouth shut.
I drive for over an hour until we’re no longer in view of anyone. The clock ticks over to midnight and I cut the engine.
Throwing open the door, I climb out and open the back door. Grabbing Tar by his hoodie, I drag him out and he lands on the ground with a thud.
Jermaine shoves Clare out and for the first time ever, the bitch is too scared to say a word.
To Tariq, I say, “You know how this goes down. You’ve always known.”
Climbing to his feet, he pleads, “It doesn’t have to be this way. Don’t make me do this, bro.”
“Until this is done, I’m not your bro. I’m the head of the Dog’s Blood Crew and you’re the one who has brought a rat into our lives.”
“If you don’t, it’ll be the both of you. Rules are rules,” Jermaine reminds him.
Clare finds her voice. “What rules? What’s going on?”
Ignoring her, I focus on Tariq.
