Page 48 of Ready to Cash Out

He hadn’t been expecting that.

Sal growled and smacked Jupiter across the face. “Fuckin’ disgrace.”

“Hey!” Trev snapped. “Why don’t you…!”

Jupiter’s stern gaze pleaded for silence.

Trev shut his mouth, but just barely.

Sal’s glare found Trev, and he raised his hand again. “I told you to shut your fucking mouth, whore. Nobody was talkin’ to you?—”

“That’s enough.” Jupiter put himself in between them. “I’ll take him back to my room right now?—”

“Oh? Is that how it is?” Sal scowled. “Gonna be a big man in front of your little girlfriend? I swear to almighty fuck I don’t regret anything as much as I do bringin’ you in on this.”

“I’m not the one you should be angry with,” Jupiter replied calmly. “You should be taking a closer look at Howell?—”

“Mind your fucking business,” Sal warned, jabbing a finger in Jupiter’s chest. “Take your little bitch back to your room and keep him quiet.”

“Yes, sir.” Jupiter turned around and grabbed Trev’s arm, leading him back to the bedroom.

“Hey!” Trev tried to pull away, but he couldn’t wiggle out of Jupiter’s grip. Maybe he should take some notes from Ugo and bite more often.

Bonsai laughed. “Some things never change, huh? Jupe’s still a damn fuckup.”

“What? You’re just gonna let them say that—” Trev yelped as Jupiter heaved him up over his shoulder to carry him the rest of the way. It was a short distance since they were right outside the bedroom, but Trev’s heart pounded a little faster anyway.

That shouldn’t have been so hot.

Jupiter shut the door and then set Trev down, ordering, “Go sit down and be quiet.”

“Your family really fucking hates you, don’t they?” Trev taunted defiantly as he strolled over to the bed.

Jupiter glared.

“So! That old guy.” Trev sat down. “Ugo? He’s Sal’s dad, huh? What is it? Dementia? Alzheimer’s?”

Jupiter leaned against the door and crossed his arms.

“Oh! We’re back to you not talking to me and me just talking at you. Got it. Love this for us.” Trev leaned back on his hands, letting his legs fall apart. “So fun.”

Jupiter glanced over him, but still said nothing.

“You didn’t have to do that, by the way,” Trev said quietly.

“Do what?”

“Defend me.”

“Sal was out of line.” Jupiter loosened his tie.

“He’s a total asshole, no argument there.” Trev pursed his lips. “Why’d you do it though? You could have just let him knock me around and you didn’t.”

Jupiter appeared startled by the question, a look Trev hadn’t seen before.

Trev stared at him expectantly.

“Wouldn’t look good for us to deliver you to Boss Cold all beat up, now would it?” Jupiter replied.

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