Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 115186 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 576(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115186 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 576(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Romeo turned his head until his ear was closer. “Didn’t get that.”
Smith’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water.
If he had to admit it, his chokehold might not be helping this discussion. “If I loosen my grip, you gonna run? Before you answer, just a warnin’… gonna have a discussion whether you wanna or fuckin’ not. Ain’t gonna be able to escape it. If it ain’t now, it’s gonna be later. Promise you that.”
All he heard was a gurgle.
Romeo loosened his grip slightly. “What’s that?”
Again, he heard nothing but a strangled noise.
“Glad to hear you’re agreeable and are up for a little convo. So, this is how it’s fuckin’ gonna go. Gonna release you and we’re going to continue this discussion like two fuckin’ men. Don’t disappoint me by runnin’ off like a little bitch. Got it?”
Smith managed a slight nod.
Romeo stared at him for a few more seconds, just knowing the asshole was going to run, before releasing Smith’s throat and taking a step back. He was ready to knock the fucker to the ground, if needed. And Smith couldn’t outrun a bullet. Not that Romeo was going to admit he was packing.
But at this point, the motherfucker hadn’t done anything to warrant a death sentence. Now, if he had put his hands on Maddie… That would be a whole different story.
“I don’t know who the hell you think you are, but I have a lot of friends in high places and you’re going to regret this.”
“Huh. ‘Magine that. I got friends in low places and ain’t lyin’ when I say my friends are fuckuva lot scarier than yours. But ain’t here for a dick sizin’ contest. Only want to have a word.”
“You could’ve called.”
“Nah, Roge, doubt you woulda answered. And anyway, this needed to be face-to-face.”
“I have nothing to discuss with you.”
“Don’t got the same opinion.”
“I have to get home,” Maddie’s boss insisted.
As he went to move away, Romeo slapped his hand across Smith’s chest—the same way Magnum did to him—to stop him. “Only need a few minutes of your time.”
“I don’t have a few minutes.”
“Ain’t askin’, Roge.”
“I was right to call you a thug.”
Romeo let that slide. He didn’t give a fuck what Roger Smith thought of him. He cared more about how the fucker treated Maddie. He wanted Maddie to be happy while Smith wanted her to be miserable.
The asshole got pleasure out of doing that. It was a whole damn power trip for him. Power that needed to be stripped from the pussy-ass bitch before him.
“Since you’re in a fuckin’ rush, lemme get to the point… You treat my girl like fuckin’ shit.” Damn, did he just call Maddie his girl? Had he lost his damn mind?
That had to be it.
“You know who else don’t like you treatin’ her like shit?” He paused. “Her family.” He wouldn’t mention that the Fury considered her family and if they found out about Smith’s treatment of Maddie, they’d be having a conversation with him, too. Only he didn’t need to mention that whole MC, just one particular member… “Ever meet her stepdaddy?”
His answer of “no” came out strained, like his windpipe had been bruised or something.
“Be glad you haven’t. Only’ll take one word to him, and he’ll infiltrate your nightmares. Take my fuckin’ word, you don’t want that.”
“You aren’t doing her any favors by assaulting me.”
“Didn’t assault you. Not yet, anyway. Only havin’ a discussion man-to-man. Don’t gimme a reason to show you the difference ‘tween talkin’ and you endin’ up not talkin’ ‘cause your jaw’s broken.”
“You’ll end up in jail.”
Romeo shrugged. “Nothin’ new. But here’s the thing… I’d still be breathin’. Unlike you.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Like I said, ain’t me you gotta worry ‘bout. Consider me the calm before the fuckin’ shit storm. You don’t want that shit storm, Roge. Promise you that. You might got connections but so does she.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“Exactly what I said, so I’m gonna make a suggestion you should heed… Gotta treat her and the rest of your employees better. Treat ‘em with respect. Give them good references.”
“I don’t have to do anything you say.”
Romeo went on like Smith hadn’t said a word. He leaned in closer and dropped his voice an octave to make his point. “Maddie hasn’t left your abusive ass ‘cause she thinks you’re gonna tank her career. That true? You hold that shit over her?”
“She doesn’t have a career to tank.”
“Bullshit. She’s doin’ time with you so she can move on to bigger and better things. You know what those are to her?”
Smith nodded. “She has this mistaken notion that she’ll get hired by a professional sports team. They’re never going to give her a first glance, forget a second. She’s too much of a screw up.”
“Then why didn’t you fire her if she sucks so bad?”