Page 73 of Bad Boy Next Door
“You’re shitting me.” Frank twisted in his chair and worried his bottom lip. “But you’ve talked to the other Nick, right? Made nice?”
I shook my head. “I don’t even know how to find him.”
Frank looked like bees had invaded his orange jumpsuit. “I guess if he’s pissed off, I’d have heard… I hope…” He glanced around the room, paranoia in his eyes, then shook his head from side to side. “It’s okay. It’s okay. You can fix this, Jade. You gotta. The Nick who arranged my deal is someone you don’t want to mess with.”
In the two weeks I’d known the truth, I hadn’t given much thought to the fact that there was another Nick I was supposed to keep happy. But Frank was clearly worried. Sounded like I should put things right.
“Guess what, Dad!” Crystal piped in. “Jade’sdatingthe Nick who lives next door to her. Sounds to me like she’s keepinghimplenty happy.”
I shot her a look. I’d never admitted to dating him, and seriously, even if I had, Frank did not need to know.
“Is that right, Jade?” He started drumming the metal table with his fingertips. “Tell me about your new young man, then. I’d started to think you were into girls.”
I sighed. At least Nick gave us something to talk about. No way would Crystal spill all the stuff she’d told me on the drive up. Frank thought his youngest was still a virgin. Ha!
“Nick’s nice,” I said. “He’s the bouncer at the club where I work. From a big Irish family. Five boys. All his brothers live in Shady Oaks, too. Can you imagine?”
Frank’s eyes got wider. “What’s his last name?”
“Downey.”
Frank’s back straightened. “Those boys are trouble. Stay away from them.”
“You know the Downeys?” This was an unwanted development.
“By reputation.” Frank leaned toward me. “Just promise you’ll stay away from the big one, at least. The muscle man. The killer.”
“What?” I almost started laughing. “The big one? That’s gotta be Nick.”
Frank turned white and grabbed my arm. “Jade. I’m not kidding.”
“No touching,” yelled a guard.
Frank released me. “Stay away from that guy. The Downeys’ muscle man is a monster. Even guys in here are afraid of him.” He leaned forward. “Has he hurt you? Please tell me he hasn’t hurt you.”
“No, Dad. He’s actually a real sweetheart. I don’t know what you’ve heard, but it can’t be about the Nick Downey I know.”
“Ask around. You’ll see. Don’t go getting yourself killed.” Frank shook his head. “Where would that leave me and your sister?”
