Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 37728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
21
LANE
“You good?” Lawson asks when I get off the phone with Birdie. The call being on Bluetooth through the truck gave him the whole conversation. We’re currently sitting on a side street, waiting for Junior to walk out. Fletch’s report gave us every detail about the woman beater. Apparently, he gets off on leaving marks on a woman, threatening them enough to make them do the sort of things no one should ever have to deal with. How this fucker has been able to stay out of the limelight, I’ve got no idea. I guess that happens when dear old Dad owns a digital social media company and is rubbing elbows with the local politicians. His son must be costing him a fortune in hush money along with a lawyer on retainer for victims to sign a nondisclosure agreement.
“Yep, Birdie may not like what I’m doing, but she gets it.” At least, I hope she does, with Dad being there and what he told her.
“You better hope, or you’ll have a cold bed to go home to,” he states, and he probably has plenty of experience in that department since Juniper hasn’t given him the time of day.
“She’s good.” My phone vibrates. I glance at the screen and smirk at the text she sent me.
Birdie: I love you, Lane. Please be safe and come home to me.
“She’s real good.” My eyes are looking up from my phone as I shoot a quick response back.
Me: Always, Birdie, I’ll love you always.
“Ready to rock and roll?” he asks.
“It’s go time.” I look up from my phone, throw it in the cup holder, and quietly exit the vehicle. Lawson is doing the same. We’ve got a plan. Doing this at dark is pivotal in getting in and out. Included in the file on Pauly Boy were his usual haunts. It was pure luck that he was coming out of a building with a one-way alley beside us. A little bit of recon showed there weren’t any cameras, and now the rest is up to us.
“Hey there, Paul. Wanna have a little chat?” I sidle up to one side, Lawson on the other, and he’s already looking like he’s going to bolt. I take hold of his arm, squeezing it tighter, and luckily for me, my brother is right in tune with me.
“No, no, I’m good. Thank you, though.” We lift him up, and the tips of his shoes drag along the ground.
“Imagine that. He’s saying no. Kind of like the women do who he bullies, harasses, beats, and assaults.” Fletch did us another solid on how to play this out. Record him but not video. There’s some kind of loophole he can handle, and he’s going to do that, but with a guy he knows. No one can be trusted in this city.
“They wanted it, I swear.” I look at Lawson. He shakes his head in anger. Yeah, I feel the same.
“I’m pretty sure the women you battered did not ask for it. I’m pretty sure no one ever wants to be bruised and used.” We walk to the corner. Darkness has settled all around us, and there’s only a small light above. Should anyone happen to walk by, all they would see is shadows.
“You have to believe me. What do you want? Money? I’ve got money. I have loads of it. Don’t hurt me,” Paul begs. This fucking dick thinks I want money. No amount of cash can replace what he did to Birdie, never mind the rest of his victims.
“Don’t want your fucking money.” Lawson looks at me. I told him it was going to be me who did the dirty work. I wanted him to be beaten the same way Birdie was, and I’m going to be the one to deliver it.
“What do you want, then?” he asks, dumbfounded. Fucking hell, this piece of shit thinks money can buy him everything. No wonder he is the way he is. Whenever he fucks up, daddy sweeps up the pieces.
“You’ll find out soon enough.” My fist rears back and goes flying, hitting him right in the nose. Blood spills out. I’m going to have to clean myself up after this.
“Stop, stop, help!” he tries to cry out. Lawson steps into the fold, no longer needing to hold the prick since he’s cowering like the little fuckwad he is.
“I want the names of each one of your victims, starting with the most recent.” I stand back, letting Lawson get a few licks in. He goes after his stomach, and Paul makes a noise like he’s going to throw up. I’ve had a few tussles with Lawson. It’s a wonder Paul is still coherent. He doesn’t fuck around; neither do I, for that matter.
“Shit, he’s pissed himself,” Lawson says. I smirk. This guy is a grade A pussy.