Page 20 of Condemned Soul

“Goes without sayin’.” He nods his head before making his way over to the bar to join Nyx and Jessie.

“Hey, Marty.” The asshole looks surprised when I let myself into his office, Troj and Jessie follow in after me, and he immediately stands up from his desk and looks panicked.

“I’m takin’ it from the look on your face that my message got back to ya last night?” I rest my ass on the edge of his desk, while Troj and Jessie casually move around the room, checking out the fancy art that's on the walls.

“Jimmer… I… I had no idea that the woman had anything to do with you. If I did, I would never have…”

“You had no idea, I can understand that.” I nod my head slowly, giving him the impression that I’m sympathetic to his situation. “Still don’t explain what you're doing offerin’ your services in my town.” I tilt my head and stare at him curiously.

“She ain’t from Manitou Springs. She lives in Castle Rock, last time I checked that wasn’t your territory.”

“You’re right, Joanne wasn’t from Manitou Springs, but the three other names that came outta your boy’s mouth, while I was reshapin’ his face, were.” Unfolding my arms I pick up the letter opener that's resting on his desk and check the sharpness of its tip. “You know, I heard a story ‘bout a girl who stabbed one of these right into her own father’s throat.” I chuckle to myself and enjoy the scared look on his face as I place it carefully back down.

“I’m sorry. That’s all I can say to ya, Jimmer, that and that I… I promise that I won’t do business on your territory again.”

“He’s sorry.” I look at Jessie and repeat his words. “That’s cute, ain’t it?”

“You sorry for makin’ the mother of my daughter get on her knees and suck your cock?” I turn things very fuckin’ serious. “Are ya sorry for puttin’ ridiculous amounts of interest onto her debt knowin’ she’d never be able to pay you back?”

“Jimmer, like I said. I had no idea.”

“Then ya need to be careful.” I take my knife outta my belt with one hand and pin him to his office wall by his forehead with the other.

“You wonder why only one of your boys came back last night?” I question as I slide the blade of my knife over his cheek.

“You let him go to give me the message,” he mumbles as he watches the knife slip over his skin from the corner of his eye.

“Give Marty our gift.” I look over to Troj who places the wooden box on his desk and opens it for him.

“What the fuck is that?” His nose wrinkles up in disgust.

“That is the ballsack of the poor guy who had to break the news to me, that you used my daughter’s mother like a whore. I lost my temper with him because I didn’t like what he had to say.”

“Is he…?”

“Believe me, that's the only part of him you're ever gonna find. We figured you might wanna bury it, or cremate it. Say a little prayer over it or somethin’.”

“You killed him… I… I…”

“I’ve been runnin’ this town since before you were an itch in your papa’s pants, you will have already heard about the consequences of fuckin’ with me. Now, maybe you’ll have the sense to listen. Manitou Springs is the town that I raise my family in, we don’t take advantage of desperate people and we don’t turn housewives into whores.” I make a long, deep gash in his cheek, a permanent scar will be a good reminder of this conversation. Then, backing away, I head out to my bike with my boys following behind me.

“Jimmer, please talk to me.” Joanne is waiting for me on my cabin porch when I get there, and when she stands up I move right on past her so I can get to the door and open it. I’m too mad to deal with her right now. I don’t want her to see a side of me that she won’t like.

“Jimmer, please,” she begs.

“What are ya doin’ here, Joanne? Don’t ya have a dinner date to be gettin’ back to?” I turn around and hate that she looks so cold and fragile. Hell knows how long she’s been here waiting for me.

After I saw her in the diner with that guy’s hands all over her, the only thing I could do to stop me from murdering him was ride. I’ve been gone hours, trying to clear my head, and I’m still not feeling any fuckin’ calmer about it.

“Just let me explain,” she begs.

“Explain why I gotta let another man have his hands all over my old lady and not do jack about it because her fuckin’ parents are sat there?” I laugh at myself. “Can you hear that, Joanne? You know who I fuckin’ am. I don’t let shit like that slide.”

“I’m not your old lady.” She stares back at me blankly as fresh tears build in her eyes.

“What?” I shake my head, wondering how that's relevant right now.

“I’m not your old lady. Mary-Ann is your old lady,” she reminds me.

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