Page 63 of These Deadly Vows

“Move, Hatchet.” I shove against his chest. He strokes his russet-colored beard as though I’m nothing more than a gnat he can’t be bothered by. He reminds me of that lumberjack guy I read about as a kid who had an ox. All he’s missing is a flannel.

“Does Ghost know you’re down here?”

“Yup,” I pop the P and knee him in the balls. I don’t have time to make chitchat. I have a black lipstick wearing emo cunt to destroy.

“Oof.” He grabs his junk as I shove on past him, hunting for that dark-haired bitch.

One of the other whores is staring at me from behind the bar. The redheaded one who smiled at me on my first night here. “Where’s your friend?”

“Huh?” she gapes, looking around the room like she’s lost in wonderland.

“Don’t play stupid with me. Is she hiding back there?” I lean over the bar, my feet no longer reaching the floor.

A palm curves to my ass, giving me a slap. I turn around, prepared to take someone’s head off to find my husband staring me down.

“She’s not here. Let’s go.”

“I’ll go when I’m good and ready to.”

“Get off the bar,” he growls, all low and scary, but I’m too mad to heed his warning.

“If you’re looking for Boo, she left with Axe.” Stray sniffles and I notice the tears staining her cheeks.

Disappointment fills me. I don’t know why it bothers me that Axe is with her. I guess I sort of thought we were friends. And friends don’t fuck whores who did you dirty. Guess I’m not the only woman Boo has fucked over, judging by the sad expression this chick is wearing. Her mouth turns down as her bottom lip wobbles.

I had no idea Axe and Stray were a thing.

The only man who has ever truly broken my heart was my father. I guess I’m lucky in that regard. If Carla were to ever go after my husband, I’d be devastated. And that’s how I know he means something to me. I fear losing him.

Afraid that what little smidgen of happiness I’m finding will be ripped away from me at any moment. Because I don’t deserve it.

I slide back off the bar. Lorenzo wraps his arms around me and kisses the top of my head. “Let’s go home, crazy pants.”

“I’m not crazy,” I mumble as he strokes his thumb up and down my back.

“You had scissors.”

“And I would have used them too.”

“I have no doubt of that.” He lifts me, carrying me back to the elevator. I bury my head in his neck to avoid looking at Hatchet. I know I owe him an apology for kneeing him in the nuts.

The man is doing his job, but no one is going to keep me from giving Boo what she deserves. I never checked the key she gave me. Stupid me for assuming she was mature enough to do the right thing. I know better now.

Lorenzo places me on my feet. “I’ll set up a house call. Malice’s mom manages one of the top salons in the city.”

“Great.”

“It’s not that bad.”

“I’m not a calico cat, and yet that’s exactly what my hair resembles.”

A low chuckle erupts from his throat.

“This isn’t funny.”

“My apologies.”

“Mhmm.”

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