Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 44562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
“I don’t like spending your money, Brick.”
“You’re mine. Don’t think that way. Besides, I’m the one who didn’t let you go back to work, so blame me.”
It was odd not needing to work anymore. She used to sell her soul for a paycheck.
They entered the market where they had a grocery store in back and fresh farm produce in the front. She usually couldn’t afford any of the good stuff, but Brick took a cart and told her to add whatever she wanted. When he grabbed a can of whip cream and winked, her body immediately reacted. The man was sinfully delicious and knew how to tease her.
“I’m buying this too, so don’t complain,” he said.
Brick put the chocolate cake in the cart. It looked delicious. She wanted to shout at him for tempting her when she was trying to watch her weight but bit her tongue. Life was too short to not enjoy simple pleasures, especially when her boyfriend loved her curves.
Then she saw him. Her body immediately recoiled, a wave of nausea threatening to make her sick. Her uncle was in an aisle, looking at the canned food. He tucked something into his jacket. She hadn’t realized she’d been standing frozen in place when Brick jostled her.
“Baby, what’s the matter?”
She forced herself to focus on him. “Nothing.”
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Callie shook her head. “Let’s go.” She tugged him in the other direction. The last thing she needed was for her uncle to spot her. Most of her relatives were criminals, addicts, or both. It was embarrassing. Plus, she didn’t want a confrontation. This uncle, in particular, was abrasive and rude, and he’d definitely say something to upset Brick.
Her heart calmed a degree as she put distance between them and her uncle—until she turned around and realized Brick wasn’t there.
She abandoned their cart and rushed back to the canned goods aisle. Brick was nowhere in sight, but she caught her uncle’s attention as she rushed over.
“Little Callie Johnson, is that you?”
All she could do was breathe. Her feet felt like lead, and her mouth wouldn’t work.
“Your mother was wondering where you’d gone off to. She said you owe her. The fridge broke within a week after she moved into the trailer. Fuck, she was pissed with you.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but no words came out. Her family brought out all her insecurities. Once again, she was a little girl in the midst of the dysfunction.
Then he was there. His strong hand on her side, his breath against her ear. “Aren’t you going to introduce us?”
“Ain’t he a little old for you?” Her uncle looked Brick up and down in the same judgmental way she was well familiar with. “Or is he just a sugar daddy? You don’t look like you’ve been suffering.”
“You should mind your business.” Brick took an aggressive step forward. She didn’t want him to get hurt. He had no clue her family was dangerous. They had no value for human life or decency.
“Who the fuck are you?” he asked.
“I’m the man taking care of her.”
Her uncle laughed. “She sleeping with you for rent money now?”
Brick shoved him, a couple of cans falling from inside his jacket. Her uncle reached in his pocket and flipped open a knife, brandishing it back and forth.
“Uncle Pete, no!”
“Shut up, you little whore. And get this asshole to pay for your mother’s fridge. Otherwise, you won’t be happy when she finds you.”
She should be used to this, but it always cut deep.
Brick reached out faster than her eyes could follow, snatching the knife and twisting her uncle’s arms until he begged for mercy. He whispered in her uncle’s ear. “I’m going to burn that fucking trailer to the ground. And I don’t give a shit who’s inside, so tell her mother not to sleep too lightly.” He twisted his arm further, making him cry out. “And if you see Callie around, do me a favor and pretend you don’t know her. She’s nothing like you, and never will be. If I find out you so much as speak to her and move your junkie ass within ten feet of her, I’ll come and find you. I’ll take my time before I put a bullet in your brain. Do you understand? Nod if you understand.”
Her uncle Pete nodded rapidly. Brick shoved him away, then took her hand, leading them back to the cart.
“What was that about?”
“No one talks down to you. No one, Callie. Don’t fucking forget it.”
She looked back over her shoulder. “He’s been to jail.”
Brick chuckled. “He’s a petty criminal. He’s a joke and waste of our time.”
Callie couldn’t argue with him. It felt so good to watch Brick put him in his place and put some fear in him when he’d terrorized her for most of her childhood. She felt liberated.