Chapter 12They all turn wide eyes to me, including Rip, so I shrug, affecting an air of indifference. "What? It wasn't my fault she was easy.""You savage mother fucker!" It happens within the blink of an eye. Rip vaults up and tries to knock me out, but I throw the contents of my glass in his face. As he yelps, I punch him in the gut and he doubles up. I hold onto him and he mumbles in a pain-filled voice only I can hear. "You really are a motherfucker.""And you're playing along." I whisper back as I pat his back. Out aloud, I say. "Now you be a good boy and remember no pussy is worth coming in between two men."I pat his shoulder once more and watch as he hobbles off, mumbling obscenities."Well, damn, I missed out on all that fun." Capo says. He's the only one who I never had history with. I hired him a few years back but he's proved his loyalty to me time and time again.I shrug and pour some more g

Chapter 14Raven.A real high class bar and restaurant. They also have a live band that plays classical music every Friday. I know this because it was recently on entertainment news on TV. The downside is that it takes ages to get a table here, not unless you know someone that knows someone that knows-"Come on, Alicia, let's go." Leonard's voice drags me away from my thoughts.I look up just in time to see Clarissa and Tommy disappearing inside the building. She's definitely going to get an earful from me later, leaving me in the hands of a total stranger. I huff as I come out from the car and watch as Leonard hands the keys to the valet.It should have taken us almost thirty minutes, or we should have even been turned back. I certainly expected it. What I don't expect is for us to be immediately ushered to a table, smack in the middle of the already-filled restaurant. This guy called Leonard, definitely

Chapter 16I watch closely as Tanya throws on some clothes. There's a difference in her movement today, a certain bounce in her steps that wasn't there yesterday. She seems excited for some reason she won't let on. She came in late yesterday night, reeking of alcohol and wearing the skimpiest dress I had ever seen. I was too clouded with sleep to string coherent words together but I'm definitely going to address it now."Tanya!" I wait for her to acknowledge her name but she doesn't break in her movement. If anything, they become faster. She combs her shoulder length hair and packs it up in a ponytail.We are so different in every way imaginable. Where her hair is blonde, mine is pitch black. She's slim with a small stature, while I'm tall and hippy. I took after mother there physically, while she practically took dad's physical attributes. She's reckless and spontaneous but I'm careful and over think everyt

Chapter 18Definition of hot: Interesting or appealing.As I stare at Ash's side profile, I can't help but think he's all that and more. He's sexy in everything he wears. The suit clings to him showcasing his broad shoulders. He's not bulky, but he's undoubtedly solid, with a lean torso made more evident in the suit. He exudes a charm he doesn't even need to try to show. It comes off powerful and wraps up every other person around along with it."Keep looking at me that way and I might stop this car and fuck you on the side of the road where people will see us." He says without turning his head.My face flames, and big bad butterflies begin to swim inside my stomach. I might hate swear words but hearing it drop from his lips is so hot.My mind goes back to earlier as I'd watched him rip into the two men at the restaurant. It had set my blood on fire for him. Even when the man's hand he held onto had bent in an

Chapter 20 If I were to rate my life right about now, I'd say on a scale of one to ten, it's a five. That's not so bad, right? I mean it could be wayy better, for sure, but then I'd need loads of money to up the scales. I'd always dreamt of traveling to Paris, the city of love. I'm wistful now, thinking about all the things I could do with money. My damn boss didn't want to help, even when I threatened to inform the police about his nefarious activities. The fucker had found it hilarious. He said half of the LA police was under his payroll. I don't doubt it. You don't get to his position without having some form of insurance and assurance as well. That, he's got lots of. That's all well and good for him, but that still brings me back to square one. As I walk down the street leading to the dingy apartment I share with Alicia, I'm filled with a loathing so strong, it's eating me up from the inside. I can't stand this place. Yes, we've never had much, even when daddy was alive, bu