Page 158 of Driftwood Daffodil

No I wouldn’t. I could take his cruelty and hate. I’d been taking shit from everyone for most of my life.

“You already tried to kill me twice, what more can you do?”

“Oh, I can do a lot more.” I couldn’t help but back away from the shadows that darkened his face. “Trust me.”

I believed him, and the sad part was, I was still willing to sign myself over. Kato looked out for me my entire life. He looked out for all of us. It was time someone looked out for him.

“I don’t care.” I repeated.

Gio took two long strides closer as my back hit the wall. “Think real hard about this.”

I never felt more cornered than I did the moment Gio’s hands slammed down on the wall on either side of my head. My heart was pounding so hard that I could feel the pulse in the tips of my toes. He was so close the heat from his chest was warming my face.

“Once this deal is done there’s no getting out of it. Your life will belong to me.”

My chin lifted, rolling my gaze up to his. That’s when fear really took hold. I couldn’t stop my body from trembling at the glimmer in his jade eyes. Was he going to kill me?

As if he could read my mind, Gio scoffed, “Death is too easy. I prefer to play with my food.”

What the hell did that mean? Was he going to eat me? He looked like he wanted to eat me. That predatory smirk on the corner of his mouth, made me realize how much bigger he was than me. His arms were as big as my thighs. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea?

“Gio…”

“Rethinking your offer already?” He tipped his head and arched a brow down at me. “I thought you had more balls than that.”

I wasn’t going to fall for his school yard you can’t do that crap. But I totally could do it. “I can take whatever you dish out.”

Damnit.

“You sure you want to sign your freedom away?” he bent over, bringing his mouth a breath away from my ear and softly growled, “I will break you down until there’s nothing left but a hollow shell.”

Pfft, break me down.“Good luck with that.”

“Okay,” his lips pursed as he gave me a small nod. “Be at my house tomorrow night at eight.”

“And if I’m not?”

“Then this conversation never happened.” He said, then pushed off the wall and walked away.

NOVALEE

Iyawned and flopped my head back on the patio chair.

Suspension should’ve meant days off. Where I could lounge around the house and sleep in. But no. I got to spend the night tossing and turning while I went over my options. None of which seemed to have a good outcome.

I could either take the deal with the FBI and possibly put Kato in a worse situation. Or I could make one with Gio and put myself in a precarious position. I thought anyway. Gio wasn’t exactly clear with the details.

Bastard.

Memphis might’ve been able to help me figure it out, but then I’d have to explain the stupidity of my actions. And that was something I’d much rather do when I was already facing theconsequences. I did try to ask the doctor about it when I went to get my shot. Pretty sure he thought I was crazy though.

I probably shouldn’t have asked him if he’d rather swim with the fishes or strap on a badge. Veda gave me the same look, right before she asked if I was on something. Trust me, I wished I was on something. Then I could blame whatever decision I made on drugs. Not to mention my ass was killing me.

Note to self, needles and bruised flesh did not mix. Try explaining that to a doctor. And a back up doctor at that. Apparently mine had an emergency. He didn’t ask questions anymore after the toothpick incident.

I did find the location of said shot weird however. Normally it went in my arm. For some reason this guy needed to give me an exam, then he poked me in the butt. I was pretty sure he was a pervert. So I made sure to let out a nice fart while he was down there. He wouldn’t be pulling that stunt again.

Thank God for Maw Maw’s chili.

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