Page 102 of Packed Up In Vegas

He swallowed hard. “Let me finish this hand?”

We agreed so security wouldn’t get involved on someone walking out in the middle of a bet, and we watched him lose two hundred dollars before he finally got up and followed us. His gaze darted around like a panicked fox when we herded him into the car where he sat between Kai and Diego.

“You’re not going to hurt me, are you?”

“That entirely depends on how well-behaved you are,” I replied. “We need to have a little talk.”

I got us on Highway 1 heading north before I spoke again. Jerry’s stench was sharp and panicked, filling up the car. “Would you like to explain the last text you sent to Callie?”

“I…I don’t recall.”

“Let me refresh your memory, then. You called her a vicious cunt for looking into a missing account you stole from her. You also included some rather colorful language about how much of a cheating slut she was for getting involved with us. The irony on that one was particularly potent.”

The pathetic jackass looked like he was ready to faint.

“Not that it matters,” said Diego, “but we didn’t even meet Callie until you had already abandoned her and married Katrina. I just don’t want you thinking your actions had any justification.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have?—”

“You’re damn fucking right you shouldn’t have.” Kai growled. “You say something about my mate like that again and I will personally remove all of your teeth. I didn’t make it to the end of med school so I never took any vow to do no harm. I know plenty of ways to make you suffer if it comes down to it.”

Jerry flinched.

“Maybe we should talk about the arrest warrant they have out for you in New York,” I added.

“How…?”

“Oh, Jerry,” I sighed dramatically. “Did you actually think you were hiding?”

“We know all about your little string of robberies in college, not to mention the money-laundering scam you ran a couple years ago, oh, and insurance fraud for the truck you claimed was stolen but you actually sold?”

“Jesus, what, are you guys stalking me?”

“Feeling vulnerable, Jerry?” Diego asked. “Maybe a bit like how you made Callie feel for years? We haven’t even gotten to the multiple affairs.”

While we navigated LA traffic, Kai and Diego grilled Jerry about his various sins in excruciating detail. I took us all the way to Topanga State Park, nearly an hour away from where we’d started. I parked at a rest stop no one else was at.

“Jesus Christ, you’re not gonna murder me in the woods, are you?”

“No,” I replied calmly, getting out of the driver’s seat and waiting for the others to step out. Jerry glanced nervously between the three of us before exiting as well. “If it wouldn’t mean going to prison and being away from Callie for years, I would break your kneecaps and push you into a ravine. But, since we know so many fun details about you, I do get to do one thing I’ve been wanting to without worrying about you going to the cops.”

My fist flew too quickly for him to react or dodge. Pain shot through my arm, but I knew it wouldn’t be anything compared to what he’d felt when his nose crunched beneath the impact.

“Son of a bitch!” Jerry clutched his bloody face.

“If I see one more call or message from you to Callie, I will make good on my threat about the ravine. Am I clear?”

“Jesus, fuck. Yes, you’re fucking clear.”

“Good. Let’s go.”

Kai and Diego slipped back into the car.

“You’re just leaving me out here?” Jerry shrieked.

“Yep. Kind of like how you left Callie in Vegas with no car and no money. Hope your phone is charged. Maybe you should call your wife and see if she’ll come get you.” I climbed into the driver’s seat and locked the doors while he was busy gaping at us. I rolled down the window nearest him. “I wouldn’t count on that, though. We let her mother know everything you’ve done, so you might want to start walking. You only have so much daylight and plenty of things in those woods might want to take a bite out of you.”

Kai and Diego waved to him out the back window as I tore out of the lot, gravel flying beneath the tires, forcing Jerry to dodge the projectiles.

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