Page 61 of Dash

“Shame. I knew I should have hit him some more,” I mumble.

“Then you would be spending your life in prison, son. For murder.”

I drop my head to look at the bloodstain on my hands. “You’re saying you wouldn’t kill for your wife?” I ask as I look up at him.

He takes a deep breath and rubs his hand over his chin. He bends over placing him elbows on his knees. “I would. But…”

“But nothing,” I interrupt him. “Quit trying to make me think that what I did was wrong. I did what I did because I love Tabatha, and he deserved every bit of it. If he would have died…” I shrug. “Then I would be going to prison. That’s a small price to pay for love. Don’t you think?”

“You love her?” he questions as if he’s surprised.

I fall back down on the bench and sigh. “More than anything.”

He runs his hand down his shaved face as he looks at me with an expressionless face.

I sigh. “Why are you here? I quit.”

“I remember that very well. Considering that was only hours ago.” He sits up straight and runs his palms down his pants. “I got the call that you had been brought in. And here I am.” He reaches his hands out to his side. “And now you’re free to go.” He stands.

“That’s it?” I ask as I stand as well. “I almost beat a man to death, and I just get to go?” I ask, totally confused. I was prepared to do my time.

“I told you once, son. I have pull in this town.” He places his arms over his chest. “But it’s going to cost you.”

I hang my head. “Why didn’t I see this coming?” I mumble to myself.

“When I hired you to race for me, I knew you would be a pain in my ass, but I knew you would be worth it. What I didn’t expect was for you to be a quitter.”

I open my mouth to speak, but he holds him hand up to quiet me. “You’re free to go. But I expect to see you showered and wearing freshly washed clothes next time I see you.”

“And that is?” I question with a heavy sigh. The least I can do is show up for a man who is keeping me out of prison.

“In two days.” He looks me up and down. “I’m going to give you a couple of days to rest and get your shit together. Then you will be ready to get back to work. Do you understand me?”

“But I…”

“Do you understand?” He asks again.

I nod. “Yes, sir.”

He then spins around before walking out of my cell.

I’m not sure if it’s the fact that I just beat the shit out of Rodger, or that I just got my racing job back, but I walk out the cell with my head held high and a fuck you smile on my face.

CHAPTER THIRTY

TABATHA

I sit in a lawn chair as I soak up a beautiful day on the beach. It’s been three days since Dash, Blake, and Jake were arrested for going over to Rodger’s house, and I still can’t believe it.

“I don’t know what you expected,” Jackie says from beside me as she sits in her lawn chair while she watches the waves wash up on the beach.

“Well, I sure as hell didn’t expect him to go and beat up Rodger.” I have to say I was shocked at first, but then the shock wore off and I couldn’t help but laugh at the situation. I never in a million years thought that he would go and stand up for me.

“Plus…” she adds. “Blake spoke to him this morning, and I guess he’s back racing for your father now. You’re going to be seeing him all the time.” She gives me one of her evil smiles, and she even laughs.

I look straight ahead through my sunglasses as I watch the waves come in, crashing into the shore. I wish they would just carry me out to sea with them. “Maybe I should move,” I offer, thinking out loud. New scenery could be nice.

Her head snaps over to look at me. “Move? Because of a man? You’re kidding, right?” she asks. “Since when do you let a man get to you like this?”

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