Page 196 of Malice and Surrender
“I can’t! Do you know what he said to me?” Roach pointed at Wilder, and I shook my head. “That Lane has a boyfriend. A fucking boyfriend. When did she get a boyfriend, and how did she get one? This is not happening. I will cut his cock off with a butter knife if he touches one hair on her head.”
“They’ve already kissed,” Wilder said, and Roach went volcanic.
I stepped back as he shook like he was going to erupt. “He’s a dead man. This fucking punk is mine.”
“He’s actually—” Wilder started, and I cut him off.
“That’s quite enough info for today, Wilder. Thanks.” I glared at him, hoping he would get the message and shut up.
I grabbed Roach’s arms and forced him to look at me. “Bro, you know I love you like a brother, right?” He nodded, his nostrils flaring and muscles twitching under my hands. “Great, take this advice from someone who cares if you remain breathing. You need to calm the fuck down and back off Lane’s doorstep.”
“What? I’m not...”
“Yeah, you are. Keep denying it all you want, but the problem is Hollywood will castrate you if you go anywhere near his baby sister with anything but pure thoughts. She needs to live her life, and you’re only supposed to be watching her to make sure she doesn’t end up in a dangerous situation. She has your number to call if she gets into trouble.”
His body slumped in my hold. “I’m so fucked.” His worried eyes met mine. “I can’t go near her again, can I?”
“I wouldn’t, but I’m not the one with the best friend in jail who is counting on you to keep your cock to yourself. You need to reign this shit in.” I shrugged. “Unless you don’t give a shit about Hollywood and your friendship anymore.”
“I’ve known that family my whole life. I was at the house playing video games with Hollywood when they brought her home from the hospital,” he said. “How the hell did this happen?”
“I don’t know, but that’s even more reason to stay away. Roach, do you really think she won’t see through your I don’t like you act? Or Hollywood, for that matter? What if she gets freaked out and tells Hollywood? Just get control for your own sanity.” I pulled out a smoke and lit it up, taking my usual two drags before putting it out. “Take it from someone that has been consumed by a woman for over a decade. The shit will not get better if you continue to stalk her ass.”
“I wasn’t stalking. I was dedicated to my promise.” My brow arched at the perfectly worded statement only a stalker would use. “Okay, fine, I might have been taking it a little too seriously.”
“Why are you watching this girl at the sorority when I already am,” Wilder asked, and Roach glared at him.
Sometimes I really wish Wilder would learn to shut up. “Remember, Chase asked him to protect the sorority,” I said before Roach tied himself into another knot.
“Well, I guess that settles it. I don’t need to anymore,” Roach said, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
“It’s for the best.” I laid my hand on his shoulder as he looked down, his face so miserable it was like I’d just told him he was dying.
“You get an address,” Wilder asked, effectively ruining the moment. He was right, though. We needed to get going.
“Yeah, I do. Let’s roll.”
We found the place easily enough. It was a run-down shack on a cul-de-sac, surrounded by mostly abandoned homes and crack houses. Not exactly a warm and fuzzy kind of neighborhood for a man trying to convince people to better themselves. It made me wonder what the fuck this guy was really doing with his members.
“What do you think?” I asked.
We were currently parked across the road from our target. The driveway was in such bad repair that I thought it would swallow the truck when Roach parked. The house wasn’t any better, and the badly damaged roof had collapsed. Anyone living inside wasn’t gonna be a credible witness.
“Looks like an abandoned shithole. Are you sure this is the right spot,” Roach asked.
“Mutt swears this is the joint.” I peered up at the sky. It would be dark in about twenty minutes. “I don’t think he’d lie, he has nothing to gain, but there is a good chance that Frank no longer uses this location.”
“Only one way to find out,” Wilder said and jumped out before I could stop him. I didn’t even get the button pressed on the automatic windows when he ran across the street and disappeared behind the house.
“That guy is fucking crazy,” Roach said, dumping the last of his chip bag into his mouth.
“You don’t know the half of it, but I’d rather have him as a friend than an enemy.” I pushed open the passenger side door. “I guess we better follow him.”
“Oh, you mean you want me to get out and not just be the sexy getaway driver?”
“I think you need a new mirror. Yours is definitely broken.” I closed the door as, asshole, was yelled loud and clear. I smirked as I pulled my knife and flicked it open. Switching the grip, I held it in my fist and let the flat of the blade lay along my arm.
Walking across the road, I kept my eyes and ears peeled for sirens or any sign of life. The whole street was eerily quiet, like nothing living wanted to stay here, and a shiver raced down my spine. I wasn’t much for evil spirits and shit, but everything felt off.
