Page 44 of Only You

“Charise, I’m so sorry, sweetheart.” I looked at her and shook my head.

He was already going to die, so I didn’t have it in me to tell him his precious Ivy was a man-eater. I wondered if he knew she would willingly bend over for me, and any other man, for that matter. I moved back to the other side, which was covered in gauze, and began to remove it.

“You’re worried about me when you never asked yourself why Nina wanted you to finagle her in the first place. Not to mention, Nina is still out there somewhere, probably headed to get Ivy since she can’t find you. I’ve known her a long time, and Nina will alwaysbe about Nina and only Nina. Anyways, let’s get this kidney out,” I said, hoping to make him talk.

“Please tell him everything so we can get out of here,” Charise said.

“Damn, I almost forgot you were here. Don’t worry, you’ll both get to leave, assuming he told me everything. Did you?” I looked at Sin, tilted my head, trying to determine if the next thing to come out of his mouth would be a lie.

“Okay, if that’s all.” I shrugged, my hands to the ceiling.

“Tell him, Sin,” Charise begged.

“Nina is not looking for Ivy because she’s out of the country. She’s in Italy. We met downtown last weekend, and she told me not to contact her while she was away. Costa has a thing for her. They’re always together, but she doesn’t know that I know. She also didn’t say when she’d be back. That’s it,” he said in relief.

News I could fucking use!

“Thank you,” I said as I walked down to his feet and pretended to undo his restraints.

“When that morphine wears off, you can get Nurse Newton here to sew you back up. That’s if she doesn’t get up and finish your ass off. Oooohhh! You know what I almost forgot, though? I let you see my face. Can’t have that I said,” Letting off three quick shots, one head and two to his chest. Charise’s cries could be heard as Rock and I made our way out of the room.

“Go to work, Baby,” I said to Lynx as I kissed her forehead. She and Lioness descended upon the table before the door could closefully. Moments later, I heard her screams before three more shots were let off.

Guess I didn’t need that Potassium Nitrate after all. Two down. Nina and her fake ass Italian Mafia ties to go.

CHAPTER 24

Brice

When I pulled into the park and got out, I knew I wouldn’t be here long. The sun was already at its highest point in the sky, and it was hot as hell for early spring. Not only was it hot, but it was also humid. My skin immediately turned sticky and held a light sheen of perspiration, and I hadn’t touched the field. This would be it if I had to gripe about living in NC. The air in LA was typically a crisp seventy-four this time of year, and dare I say I missed it.

After we’d left the garage, Steph reminded me that we had a flag football game this morning. Football was another thing we’d bonded over since I’d moved to NC. I’d usually show if I weren’t working. However, I had missed a few weeks because of my hectic schedule. After last night, I didn’t understand how his ass found the energy. Steph was a morning person, while I would sleep all day if I could. Had I not needed to stay in shape, that’s probably where I would still be. I played quarterback in high school. I wasAll-State but smart enough to know that statistically my chances of going to the NFL were slim to none. I wasn’t a five-star recruit like Steph. Besides, I had other plans. Our little team consisted of me at quarterback, Steph as the wide receiver, Justin as the safety, Brody as the center, and Pierre as the running back.

My phone rang as I opened the back door to retrieve my book bag. It was my encrypted phone.

Shit!

I immediately tossed my bag on the floor and climbed back inside to take the call.

“Yeah,” I answered.

“Cariño, I’ve heard that you’ve got problems, problemas familiares,” she said in part English with a heavy Spanish accent, enunciating the last of her statement. I exhaled into the phone. It was the only person we answered to, the head of the Mexican Cartel. After all this time, she’d still never given us her name. I hoped she hadn't heard about our little issue, but everything doesn’t always go as planned.

“It will be handled,” I said pissed all over again at the situation.

“Lo sé,” she said before the line went dead.

“Fuck!” I yelled out into the car. She said family issues, which meant she knew that Tay had found her way back to me and that it was her mother who was causing problems. That ‘I know’ she ended the call with was also a subtle threat. I hated fucking threats I never issued them because I was about action. I grabbed my bag from the floor and hopped out. As soon as I reached the field, I wasglad I found myself out here because now I needed to work off this aggression.

Being the ever-observant, worrisome ass big brother that he was, Steph ran over grilling me before I could put my bag on the bench. I sat down beside it and began to put on my gear.

“Yo, you good?” I shook my head because I wasn’t good, but would be. I started to rummage through my bag for my football cleats before I continued.

“Damn, can I sit down…” I said, pausing for a bit, then exhaled deeply.

“She knows,” I said dryly.

“Don’t get fucked up Brice. Who knows?” he asked, eyes scrunched in confusion.

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