Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 76365 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76365 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Lotto smiled at my gruff demand and pocketed his phone. “Should I tell her to come back for a little one-on-one chat? I quite enjoyed ours.”
As much as I wanted to be alone with Ari and really talk some sense into her, I knew we’d fall into old habits. Yell, kiss, bang, rinse and repeat. Something like this, that affected all of us, deserved a more serious conversation.
“Call up Bones and tell them both to head back. I’ll shower off so we can discuss.”
“You’re making the right decision.” Lotto slapped a hand on my shoulder. “It’s just sometimes the right decision is a fucking bomb.”
“I’d rather try my luck with the bomb.” I sighed and shrugged him off. “It would be easier to deal with than Troy Godwin.”
“Leave him and the Perk siblings to me.” Lotto’s smile took on a menacing edge. “They’ll know what they’re dealing with soon enough.”
“Sometimes, you scare me, dude.” I smacked his side with the dirty towel. “Call ’em up. I’ll be out soon.”
I went before I could change my mind. Was Lotto right? Was I making the right decision? I didn’t know, but being lost in my own head wouldn’t do any of us favors. If we couldn’t get out of this stupid contract, we might as well fight tooth and nail to end it on our terms.
And if not, I’d hop into the ring myself and give Troy his goddamn money’s worth.
Chapter 16
Ari
Ifelt like I was back in school again, sitting in the principal’s office with a disappointed teacher and an angry dad demanding answers for why I roundhouse kicked Stacy Burnham in the face during gym class.
That answer was simple: she’d mouthed off one too many times and got what she deserved.
The current one? A fuck ton harder to navigate.
Especially since my favorite three guys in the world sat before me, each with a different pinched expression. It was like a gradient of frowns, starting with a little tug of Lotto’s lips and ending with a half-moon sneer on Frankie’s.
Ever since we’d stepped into Smiley’s office, and I plopped down on my messy desk, it had been awkwardly quiet. We didn’t know who was going to break first. Part of me hoped it was Frankie, apologizing for being a dick over the past few days. Or maybe Lotto, who usually worked us through tough situations. Unfortunately, they all stared at me, waiting for me to be the first to crack.
When the silence grew too heavy, I smiled awkwardly. “Should I start a prayer or something?”
“You can get on your hands and knees later.” Frankie leaned back in the leather chair. I shivered at the hooded look he gave me. “Got other things to talk about now.”
“Hard to do when no one is talking.”
“Remember how you asked why I didn’t want you in the ring?” Bones questioned.
I nodded, and he sighed.
“Your turn. Why do you want to step into the ring?”
“And don’t say it’s for us.” Lotto eyed me with a raised eyebrow. “Because that’s what you’re about to say, isn’t it? To protect us?”
My smile was laced with my guilt. Busted. “Then what do you want me to say?”
“The truth,” Frankie said. “Why the hell did you accept Troy’s offer? I thought you were trying to keep Smiley’s legit.”
“I was. And I still am.” I drew a deep breath to stay calm. “Look, this is the only way to keep going. I hate being under Troy’s thumb just as much as you all do. I didn’t want to say yes.” I looked between the three of them before sighing. “But the options were limited. To keep this place from being another damn parking lot, I had to do something.”
The room was quiet for a moment as the guys considered my answer.
Lotto snorted. “And now the real reason, angel. Go ahead.”
I chewed on the side of my cheek before blurting, “I want to kick Misty Perk’s ass. I fucking hate that bitch.”
Frankie’s laugh warmed me. At least I’d broken the tension with my admission. I didn’t realize how tired the events of the past two days had made me until I slumped forward slightly, fatigue etched into my bones. Well, more than fatigue. I still had evidence of convincing Bones all over my chest and filling my holes. Whenever Lotto’s eyes flicked to my hickies and bruises, he smirked. I’d have to thank him later.
“Get in line,” Frankie answered and flexed a fist. “This punch has Jace’s name all over it.”
Bones turned to Lotto. “Are they still posting shit?”
“Did they ever stop?” Lotto didn’t even bother pulling out his phone. I had a feeling he’d seen enough of their bullshit to recite it from heart. “Doubled since Ari agreed to the contract. It’s all the same shit. ‘We’re the best.’ ‘Mess with the bull you get the horns.’ Other stupid southern shit in case you forgot Jace is a cowboy at heart. They’re talking big game to rile us up.”