“Nah…” Peters cracks his knuckles, mean-mugging Zaza, who’s been intentionally keeping his distance since they were released from where we’d been holding them in the prison forsafekeeping. “I’m not betting. I’mfighting.”
Hancock and Jasper cheer. “Fuck yea! Major Josh Peters for the win!”
“Sounds good to me,” Ivory hums. “I’ll put another two-fifty on Peters to beat Carlito into the ground.”
“And what about you?” Linetti grunts at Ivory. “You’re pitting us against each other when you’re the one who should be taking a beating! This is all your fault!”
Ivory doesn’t appear amused, or concerned. “The only person I will allow to fuck me up is Jonathan. Or this one.” He smirks down at Angel. “I’m sure he’ll get me in a vulnerable positionlater.” Angel bites his lip, flushing. “But if Jonathan wants, he’s more than welcome.”
I’m sort of just gawking at him while he grins.
“Whaddya say, my pet,” he hums teasingly. “One free shot to the face?”
Angel steps out of the way. My mouth hangs open.
“Ooh!” Joy stomps over. “Tag me in!”
Rook joins her. “Me too.”
Seeingmyman cracking his knuckles, fury etching his features, is supremely hot.
I had no intention of bringing Ivory any physical harm. I had my chance to kill him, but I don’t think it would’ve solved anything as much as forgiving him and moving forward has.
That said, if my partners want to kick his ass for me… Who am I to stand in their way?
NowIvory looks worried. “No, I saidJonathan.”
“Proxy!” Trevel shouts, and everyone cheers.
“Yes! Oh my God, that’s amazing!” Dash is so excited he literally hops.
“Hell yea!” Byron claps.
Ivory frowns.
“What say you, Mr. Blanco?” Joy sneers. “You ready for a beating from Velle’sproxies?”
His mouth opens, but Rook swings before he has a chance to speak.
“That was rhetorical,” Joy sighs. “We don’t need your permission.”
And then she launches the butt of her hand at his nose, while he’s still hunched and disoriented from Rook’s right-cross.
The Ivory grunts, head flinging back as a collective “Oh shit!” Rings out from the crowd.
Rook grabs him by the hair, holding him in place for Joy to spin-kick his head.
Angel whimpers, eyes wide, mouth covered with his hands. But of course, he’s not interfering.He knows his man deserves this.
It’s entertaining as hell, I won’t lie. And cathartic for Joy, and Rook, and pretty much everyone watching. Even Angel, who seems to be enjoying this on some level he’d probably never admit to us.
That said, for me, it’s just that. Strictly entertainment. I don’t need to fuck him up to feel better. All I needed was that recognition he finally gave me, after a decade of hiding it on purpose, pulling it away any time I got close to uncovering it.
My catharsis happened the moment he surrendered.
Only a few minutes later, Rook and Joy let up, panting and grinning triumphantly at El Diablo bleeding on the ground. They high-five, and I have to bite my fucking lip, becausedamn… they’re hot as fuck.
I have to look away before I get hard over this.
