Page 95 of Slayin Villain
We pulled up to the gates at Royal Road, and Pagan was already out front.He’d be my tail.I helped Rachel out of the car.
“I’ll be back,” I said, brushing her shoulder.
“Sure,” she replied, eyes glinting.“Unless she convinces you into her bed again.”
I didn’t answer that.
Sassy’s Slop House was empty except for the flicker of neon beer signs and the dull hum of a jukebox someone forgot to shut off.The door creaked open as I stepped inside.
No Ember.
Not yet.
But I wasn’t alone.
Rome was there, leaning against the bar.Behind him, three men I recognized.None of them friendly.
“Rome,” I said flatly.
He grinned.“Hey there, brother.”
I didn’t like the look in his eyes.I didn’t like the way he rolled his shoulders.
“Where’s Ember?”
“Oh, she ain’t comin’.”
The world tilted just slightly.I took one step back, just in case.
“That message,” I said.
“That wasn’t me,” he said, pulling out his phone.“But I caught her.”
I clenched my fists.“Why?”
“You knocked up my girl.You don’t get to walk away from that like it didn’t happen.”
“You don’t even know whose baby it is.”
“I don’t care.She picked me.”His face twisted.“But now she cries every night over you.Still dreams about you.Still loves you.”
“That’s not my fault.”
“You made it my problem.”
My hand went for my Glock, for Selene.But I didn’t find it.I’d not gone crib shopping with Rachel armed.A fucking mistake.
The first hit came from behind.
Something cracked across my back and sent me to my knees.I fought back, hard, elbows flying, fists landing on ribs and jaws.I caught one guy with a knee and heard him groan.
But there were too many.
Rome got in one last hit before they dragged me down.My head slammed against the corner of the bar.The world swam.
My last thought before blacking out was of Rachel.
Waiting.
