Page 16 of Towles

“Not yet,” I said, and everyone groaned.

Beast slammed the gavel against the table, and church ended. He held back Cinder, Big Kentucky, and myself. The three men stared at me.

“What?” I said and shrugged.

“Kentucky said you were going to take on the Punishers alone,” Beast said. “Tonight, when we go in there, we do this as a club. I need to know you’re on board.”

I nodded. This was a time when there was no gray area. I didn’t go against club orders.

Beast nodded at Cinder.

“I’m stepping down as VP,” Cinder said.

“That means someone else is moving up. Two, actually. Someone will have to replace whichever of you move to the VP.” Beast pointed at Kentucky and me. “Be prepared. Don’t get killed tonight.”

6

April

My hands and nerves had not stopped shaking since I left the bank. Even if the thieves were too foolish to shoot one of us, the gun could have gone off by accident. I could have been killed. Worse yet, Ethan Towles could have been shot and died at my feet. It was all the more reason to leave Paul. Why? Because you never know when life came to an end.

Jasmine sat on the couch and tucked her feet beneath her ass. “You’re in love with this man. I get it. I really do. He filled the room with more manliness than a sporting goods store.”

“Damn straight I am, and I feel foolish for acting like I’m back in high school, swooning over the school’s star quarterback.” I filled my glass with wine and sat across from Jasmine. “One of those assholes actually had a gun pointed at my chest.”

“Amanda called on the way over here. She said Ethan Towles called to make a follow-up appointment with you. He also asked if you were okay.”

“I’ve yet to convince myself that someone like him would want someone like me.” I cringed and said, “I looked up his medical records. I’m ten years older than him.” I swirled the wine in my glass. “Why would he go after old pussy with all the young pussy chasing him around town?”

“You’re not old, April.” Jasmine got up and filled her wine glass. “Since we’re the same age, that would mean I’m old, too. No, thank you. You’re a beautiful, sexy woman. I’m sure he recognizes that.”

“I acted like a fool.” I walked around the living room and stopped at the front window. “What the fuck?” Jasmine got up and joined me. “What’s he doing here?”

The front door opened, and Paul walked inside. “What?” he said. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I thought you wouldn’t be home until Friday,” I said.

Paul suspiciously eyed Jasmine. He didn’t like her and the influence he thought she had over me. Basically, he was jealous of her. “I was worried about you. Looks like I was right.”

Paul had never been worried about me in the past. “How’s work been?”

“I’m going to be on my way,” Jasmine said. “I’ll see you at work tomorrow.”

“You won’t,” Paul said. “I told Bob you wouldn’t be back,” he told me. “My understanding is that the clientèle has become too dangerous.”

“You can’t do that,” I said. “That’s my livelihood. That’s what I wanted to do with myself.”

“You have everything you need right here, April. There’s no reason for you to work.” He motioned Jasmine away with his hand. “I don’t expect to see you in my house again.”

“Damnit, Paul. Jasmine’s my friend. Don’t treat her like that! You’re such an asshole.”

Paul stopped what he was doing and glared. Not once in our marriage had I ever called him a name.

“She needs to leave before I call the police.” Paul walked away.

“We’ll talk,” Jasmine said to me and stopped on her way to the front door. Paul came out from the back hallway and followed Jasmine. “Fuck you, Paul. You ancient piece of shit.”

Paul opened the door. “Get out.”

---