Page 29 of His Favorite Felon

“What's the most expensive thing on the menu?” The waitress laughed, but I didn't because I understood that Justice was testing me.

“Whatever it is, bring two,” I demanded, beating her at her own game. Although this was stupid as fuck, I wasn’t about to let her think money was that important to me. I had more than I knew what to do with.

Justice's smile disappeared for a moment before she continued. “And… I want dessert.”

“Bring the entire dessert menu,” I spoke to the waitress, never taking my eyes off Justice.

Her eyes narrowed further. “I want…”

I leaned forward, cutting her off. “Trouble.”

“What?” she rolled her eyes.

“You can't outspend me,” I whispered.

“That was some arrogant-ass shit to say,” she said with narrowed eyes.

I shrugged. “It's also true, though.”

She crossed her arms, but I didn’t care about her little attitude. I could bet she wouldn’t be acting like this if I was a new nigga. I have to keep telling myself, she don’t know you’re you.

CHAPTER 12

Justice

Chance was really impossible to hate or to push away. Every time I did something that I knew would get under his skin, he proved me wrong. It wasn’t that I was really trying to push him away, but I couldn’t take another lie, another ghosting act, or another disappointment. I was already trying to convince myself that if he passed all my tests, then maybe, just maybe we could work. I still had so many questions that needed answering because I knew he was lying about something I just couldn’t put my finger on.

“Well, I hate men with money.” I know I sounded like a brat, but I was kinda enjoying this back-and-forth thing we were doing.

When I was locked up, he was so sweet and gentle. Now, it was the same, but he was rougher, more intense.

“No, you probably hate men who think money means they own you.” He was right.

I cocked my head to the side and asked, “And which one are you?”

“Just a man with money, Trouble.” He shrugged.

“Mmhmm.”

“I don’t want to own you. And honestly, I wouldn’t change anything about you. That fire inside you burns bright, and I like it .”

“Good to know, because I’m not changing for anyone.”

His mouth curved into a full and genuine smile. “I just want to spoil you.”

Something about the way he said it made me slightly uncomfortable. I wasn’t used to people giving me shit without wanting something back. Everybody wanted something eventually.

Whether it be money, loyalty, protection, sex, or control. I was done being a pawn to others.

Chance’s eyes narrowed slightly, like he’d caught whatever had crossed my face.

“Trouble, regardless of what I give you or do for you. You don’t owe me shit.”

I gave him my attention. “Okay.”

“Nah,” his voice lowered but grew more serious. “I need you to understand.”

“I said okay, I know.” I didn’t know who he was trying to convince, him or me?