“What the fuck man? Jesus fucking Christ,” he managed to say.
“Make my fucking day.” I squeezed tighter.
I could feel the panic in his body attempt to fight me off. He wasn’t going to win, and I was completely fine with that.
Strong hands gripped my shoulders, hoisting me backward. “Shooter!”
Stray and Hank yanked me back as hard as they could, breaking the contact I had with Chris. Chris heaved over, gasping for air. Stray held me back; Hank stepped in front of me. “What the hell is going on here? Hound is going to have your ass.”
Hank and I were around the same height and build but he was ten years my senior. He had been around the block or two including the ring. He was the one that we trusted with the money and looking out for the businesses. I was already pissed at the match up with Dillon’s opponent, but stepping in front of me prevented me from spilling a little blood. One good swing, that’s all I needed.
“Fuck off.” I raged.
Chris stood up, rubbing his neck. “I could sue.”
“Good luck with that. Might have to explain everything else and why you were here.” Hank spat out, not even looking at him. He kept his gaze on me, tracking my movement.
“Your fighter cost me money. I could get my money back by taking you to court.” Chris convinced himself.
“You bet on the wrong person.”
“He wasn’t supposed to win anyway. The dude was half the size of the other man. You all cheated or something.” Chris kept spewing bullshit.
Stray kept his grip on me, leaned down. “You and I both know this man, don’t cause a scene.”
Stray wasn’t stupid, but he also was one of the main people I talked to about Amelia, especially after he was snooping and almost got in the crossfires when I got caught sneaking off to watch Amelia.
“Do yourself a favor, find another place to gamble your life away. You’re not welcomed here.” Hank ruled.
In a flash, Chris went from a cowardly rat to a raging bull, attempting to break the barrier of Hank. “You’re all gutter trash. Con artists, bastards that think you’re kings of the streets.”
“Then you should know not to piss us off,” Stray hissed out.
“He assaulted me.” Chris pointed at me. I scoffed. Ibarelyassaulted him.
“And he’d do a lot more if I let him go. Think before you speak.” Hank whipped around, bucking himself against Chris.
Chris shoved him, but Hank barely moved. He stood his ground, but Chris kept running his mouth. “You know what?” He straightened himself up. “I know there’s someone worth my time.Mywife. She can help with my mood.”
Darkness consumed me, and it took every strength I had to break free of Stray and push past Hank to land one good hit, bringing his ass to the ground. My chest heaved from the adrenaline pumping through my veins. If he knew what was good for him, he’d stay away from her, or he’d stay on the ground.
I crouched down to his slumped body. “You touch her and I will fucking kill you myself.”
He groaned, his ego shattered on the ground. He would never step foot again if I was around. I needed to make it official. Amelia was going to be mine.
I needed to hide away, blow off some steam. The fucker got a warning to stay away from us, from Amelia.
Chapter 18
Amelia
Maybe the girls were right. I needed to take a break, even if it was a couple of days. What I wouldn’t have done for a cruise or maybe a beach. Maybe a margarita in my hands, the sun on my skin. That was the one thing I missed about being back home on the farm, I was always out in the sun. But once I got married and moved, I had missed the sun working longer hours indoors and barely having time for myself.
Maybe that’s why I enjoyed some of the walks with Shooter; it was one of the few chances I felt the sun kiss my skin, warming the soul if you would.
Pulling almost doubles was some of the hardest I have felt. But necessary for what I needed. The week before I had made the weekly contribution to the dwindling debt. A drop in the bucket that felt like it was still overflowing.
Night was still coating the sky and the moon shined brightly, lighting my way home. Though dark, stormy clouds were rolling in. Exhaustion ruled my body, and the ache in my feet from constantly moving, sleep was calling my name. Part of mecouldn’t wait for the lullaby of an evening rain to drift me off into my dreams.
