Page 23 of Into the Blue
It feels like a punch to the gut, but I admit, “He doesn’t care, Lee. The man has probably had manylong-lost kidspop up asking for something. He was jaded. Not even the least bit surprised. More… annoyed? I don’t know. Neither of them are viable options, I have to go about it the hard way.”
“That’s your specialty,’ she reminds me. “I’m sorry, babe. It’s his loss. You’re a badass daughter. Gennie knew it and keeping him out of your life was probably for the best.” She always knows what to say.
I sigh, ignoring the twinge in my chest when I think about the loss of my mom. She lived the life she wanted and I know she’s in a better place now. “Right. So, the hard way it is. Tell me what’s been going on back home.”
Chapter 8
Two weeks have passed since I was formally rejected by my father. In the grand scheme of things, it changed nothing. I would get what I needed from Blue and take over brutally when I had to.
The problem was I saw Blue less and less since the night I told him about Dejuan. Maybe he suspected something of me and was creating distance because of it.
He did say that he didn’t mix business and pleasure. This could be my boot.
I tried not to worry about it, but it was hard not to because… I missed him.
No, no, no. Not in a romantic way. Romance was completely lost on the man at this point. The first night we met was contractual. And I supposed, every meeting after will be as well.
However, I’m still empty inside where there should be… him. I feel like I’ve been teased to a breaking point and it’s getting serious without anyone to scratch this itch.
What was he doing telling me how big he was? If that wasn’t a taunt, I don’t know what is.
About as much as me twirling on the pole and ignoring him is.
Not the point.
It’s Saturday and I thought I’d see him, for sure. But instead, I felt someone else watching me too closely since my second set tonight.
Not Blue—he always watched like a king surveying what he already owned. This was different.
Menacing and slimy is how this man’s attention felt.
I caught him leaning against the bar, sleeves rolled up to show a cuban link bracelet and not enough respect to the bartenders.
Jimmy LaFayette. As far as family goes, he would be my second cousin and that only makes the ick much stronger. He likely has no idea that we’re family, but if we weren’t—I still wouldn’t appreciate the way he watches me. Only malicious thoughts are behind those eyes.
He had the kind of face girls in the club pretended to like—angular jaw, eyes like empty pits, icy gold fangs. His taper fade and scraggly beard did not do anything for me. I suppose I developed a taste for shoulder length locs and a trim beard since I’ve been here.
Jimmy doesn’t come here often, but when he does, I make sure to avoid him from the sleazy energy coming off him alone.
Tonight, I’m his target it seems and I can’t escape his gaze.
I didn’t show that I figured that out. Didn’t flinch, didn’t waver. I know better than to give a creep the satisfaction of fear. But the minute I step off stage, I feel him trailing behind me like a stain I can’t wash off.
The break room is small, and too damn quiet for a Saturday. Not a single girl is in here and that was suspicious in itself.
Where is everyone?
I make it halfway to my locker when the door shuts behind me with a loud, deliberate click.
“Diamond,” Jimmy coos, voice as fake as the gold chain strangling his neck. He has no sweet intentions coming into this room.
I don’t turn around from my locker. I don’t keep any weapons in here because we usually don’t have to. In a pinch, I might be able to use my heel if he doesn’t suspect what I’m doing. “Don’t call me that.”
He laughs and the sound grates on my nerves. “But that’s what you go by, ain’t it? ‘Sides, I think it fits. Precious. Pretty. Real easy to hold against the light and see straight through.”
I turn then, asking, “You need something?”
He takes a step forward, licking his teeth. “Just came to introduce myself. Officially. We’re family, after all.”
