BOONE
Vanessa was checking over my motorcycle when our phones began to vibrate. Before I fished my phone out of my pocket, Nine opened the office door and called out to us.
“The Jokers are hassling the foxes at the grocery store! Dali is involved!” Nine explained in a rush. “Goldie and Nova are there!”
I looked to Vanessa, who tossed me her keys. “Take my ride and kick a Joker’s ass for me.”
I ran to her motorcycle parked out back and raced to catch up with Nine and Rowdy. We managed to hit a lot of green lights. At a red one, we were joined by Rock.
“Don’t kill them!” Rock yelled over our rumbling engines. “Painful yet livable injuries only!”
I wasn’t sure what I would find when we arrived. The Baton Rouge-born Jokers had a habit of harassing the foxes, whom they viewed as glorified club sluts.
When I considered those fuckers putting their hands on Goldie and Nova, my mind blocked out all other distractions. The world became very quiet. I went cold inside. I wasn’t sure I could control my temper.
A gunshot rang out as we rolled into the grocery parking lot. I saw two Jokers holding Goldie and didn’t hesitate to leap off Vanessa’s bike. The men had been so startled by the gunshot that they didn’t even register my arrival. Goldie did, though, and ducked when I came rushing at the two assholes attacking her. I threw out my arms and knocked both Jokers to the ground.
One of them struck the hubcap of a nearby car and seemed stunned. The other lifted his hand holding a switchblade. I stomped on his bicep, snapping the bone. He hollered and dropped the knife. Rather than back off, I lowered my boot downon the fucker’s head. Once, twice, and almost a third time before Rock jerked me back.
“I said not to kill them,” he muttered in my ear.
“The fuckers cut off my braid!” Goldie hollered nearby while talking with Dalisay. “They attacked Elle’s baby bump!”
Rock’s gaze met mine as he muttered, “They die, but not here in front of a hundred witnesses, okay?”
My VP was a difficult man to tell no. Rock held himself like an impenetrable wall. No one could move past him.His word was final.
Right now, I considered testing his resolve. My temper raged hot, blinding me to common sense. I didn’t want to see past it. I wasn’t interested in patience when killing these men would solve my problems.
Before I made my move, Rock said, “Nova and her kid are watching.”
My rage collided with his words. Rock got what he wanted when my concern for Nova and Lyric overwhelmed my need to destroy these men.
“She shot my motorcycle!” one of the Jokers yelled as I went to my sister.
Goldie held one of her braids in her hand. She looked at me full of horror and rage.
“They need to stop breathing,” she snarled to me.
“Yes, but not here.”
Goldie showed me her braid. “Elle thought they were going to cut off more than just my hair. That’s why she shot the fucker’s motorcycle. Zodiac is going to go ballistic. You should make sure to beat him to the punch when revenge time comes.”
Nodding, I looked at the front of the grocery store. Dozens of people stood outside, watching the show. I moved toward the crowd, searching the faces for Nova’s. People moved out of my way as I approached.
Nova sat on the ground, holding and rocking Lyric. I could hear her crying. Lyric’s face was hidden against her mom’s neck. They were sweaty and scared. My temper insisted I kill the Jokers. Only then would Nova and Lyric be safe.
However, I knew what my dad would do in this situation. Turning off my temper, I squatted in front of Nova and Lyric and stroked their heads. They flinched in unison. Nova’s eyes popped open. She stared at me for a moment before blinking.
“Boone?” she asked as if doubting her eyes.
“Are you okay?”
Lyric lifted her head and turned to me. “The bullies hurt Mommy.”
“Hurt you how?” I asked in a soft tone disconnected from my rage.
“I just got roughed up,” Nova said and wiped her cheeks before doing the same for Lyric’s face. “I heard a gunshot. What happened?”
