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)
“Not much to tell. Stepped outside to throw shit in the dumpster and have a fuckin’ smoke. Saw you on the ground rollin’ around. One fucker was beatin’ you with some metal thing, the other two were kickin’ the shit outta you.”
How could there only be three of them? At the time, it felt like a dozen. “They stopped when they saw you?”
“Fuck no. They didn’t fuckin’ scatter ’til I took a coupla shots at ‘em.”
Romeo must’ve been knocked out by then to miss that. “You hit any of ‘em?”
“Not sure since it was fuckin’ too dark to see. Don’t think this was random, right?”
“Could be.” But Romeo doubted it.
“If it ain’t, they know where you live.”
No shit. “Or they think I was hangin’ at Dick’s.” That was a long shot.
“Either way, Magnum’s on it.”
Just fuckin’ great.
If the attack had anything to do with Maddie, he’d never hear the end of it from his sergeant at arms. The man told him to leave Maddie alone. Romeo ignored that warning and now look where he landed.
In a fucking hospital bed.
Along with Maddie being unemployed. As well as pissed at him.
He closed his eyes and breathed. Carefully.
He needed to make shit right with her.
While he hated to admit that Magnum had been right, Romeo should’ve told her no like he said. He also should’ve told himself no, instead of being so goddamn selfish.
But he didn’t and here he was.
Bottom line… he fucked up.
“Just so you know, Sully was on stand-by.”
Wick’s words had his eyes flashing open. “For what?”
“Last rites, I guess.”
“Fuckin’ Sully. Don’t he know I’m too fuckin’ stubborn to die?”
Wick snorted. “Pretty sure I heard one of the nurses sayin’ it was touch and go for a while, too.”
“Well, everyone was wrong, weren’t they?”
“It was close, Rome. Good thing I stepped out back when I did. If I hadn’t…”
True, but it would’ve been even better if he’d went out back sooner. “Yeah.”
“You’re fuckin’ welcome.”
It also would’ve been better if Wick had better aim. Romeo kept that opinion to himself. “Thanks, brother.”
“You would’ve done the same.”
“I hope to fuck any of our brothers would’ve stepped in. None of us are pussies.”
“Truth.” Wick stared at him for far too long. “Who d’you think’s got it out for you?”
“No fuckin’ clue.”
“Magnum’s on it.”
Jesus Christ. “Already told me that.”
“He’ll find out who those fuckers are and why they ambushed you like that.” Wick tipped his head. “Might not be the Blood Fury but do you still think it got to do with that Fury chick?”
“No fuckin’ clue,” he repeated, but he was starting to think it was related. The only person he had a run-in with lately was…
Roger fucking Smith.
Did the fucker put out a hit on him? Maddie’s former boss probably had enough scratch to hire some crackheads to fuck him up. Since he survived, hiring some scumbags off the street would make more sense. If it had been a professional hit, Romeo doubted he’d still be breathing.
“Well,” Wick started with an amused grin, “the doctor said you’ll need physical therapy to help with healin’. Guess it’s good you got her in your pocket.”
Romeo frowned. How did Wick know Maddie was a physical therapist? “She ain’t in my pocket.”
Wick chuckled. “Just in your bed, then? Never knew you to chase a chick. She’s gotta be somethin’ special.” He wiggled his fingers and his eyebrows. “She good with her hands, brother?”
Romeo wasn’t liking this turn of conversation. “She ain’t nothin’. She’s property of an ally. That’s it. Was only lookin’ out for her, the same as they’d do for us if one of ours moved north.”
“For fuck’s sake, Rome. You really think we don’t got eyes and fuckin’ ears? Or brains to figure shit out?”
“What’re you talkin’ about?”
“Seen her comin’ in and outta your place for the last few weeks. How she looked arrivin’ ain’t the same as how she looked leavin’. You also disappeared a few nights. Since when are you crashin’ at some woman’s house?” He lifted a finger. “Never. You dip the second you pull out.” Before Romeo could deny it, he continued. “And the most obvious evidence? The sweet butts complainin’ that you’ve been ignorin’ them. When the fuck ain’t you gettin’ head from at least one of ‘em at the drop of a fuckin’ hat? Or zipper, more like it.”
Shit. Was it that obvious? Did he have a routine?
Of fucking course he did.
“Need some shuteye. More pain killers, too.” He was starting to hurt like a motherfucker. Whatever they had him on was wearing off. Fast.
Wick burst out laughing. “Truth can be fuckin’ painful, can’t it?”
A noise made them both look toward the door.
Could this fucking day get any better?
Apparently not.
“Get gone,” Magnum ordered Wick as he lumbered into the room.
With a grin, Wick unfolded his ass from the chair, gave Romeo a sloppy salute, a “Prez,” and wandered out.