Page 54 of Spiteful Heart

Newton said, “If that’s all—” He stood up and ran a hand down the front of his suit.

I labored to get up with him. “It’s not.” He stared at me, and I stared right back. This wasn’t something I did on normal occasions, so it was definitely an internal struggle to say what I was about to. “I wanted to apologize to you, partially for dragging you and your business into this, but also… also because I’ve had people following you for a while. I kind of thought it was you.”

He let out a frustrated sigh and stopped short of rolling his eyes. “Lola, you did what you thought was right. I’m no innocent man.” He took a step around the round table, standing directly before me now, less than a foot away. “But there are no innocent men in this city. Everyone’s dirty, one way or another.”

He was right. I couldn’t argue with him.

“And I knew I was being watched,” he informed me. “I figured it was someone loyal to you. After my little outburst at you when the body was found here, I assumed you’d suspect me. You and your men—” Newton paused to glance at Harvey near the bar. “—are lucky I let them be. Don’t do it again, or you and I will have a problem.”

I followed his glance to Harvey, seeing that he was trying to strike up a conversation with the other two men. They didn’t seem to be taking the bait. When I looked back at Newton, those dark eyes of his were on me.

I didn’t take kindly to being threatened. Maybe that’s why I’d taken such issue with Tony and his killing; it was all geared toward me, threatening me, trying to hurt me in the worst way. I said, “Trust me, Newton, if you and I have a problem, you’ll be the first to know.”

Stepping away from him, I threw a glimpse over to the stage. “Tell me when you’re re-opening, and I’ll stop by to show my support.” I gave him a smile and walked away. Newton was accustomed to getting the last word in, but I wouldn’t let him have it this time.

I grabbed Harvey, and we were out of there.

When we made it back to my house, we found the guys were there… and they were loading up their cars with loads of my stuff. This time, I didn’t wait for Harvey to park and open my door for me; I flew out of the backseat as quickly as I could, storming up the steps and practically colliding with Sylvester as he exited the house, carrying… my pillows?

Viper was stuffing things in the trunk of his vehicle. Maddox must’ve been somewhere in the house.

I set my hands on my hips and glared at Sylvester, asking, “What the hell’s going on here?”

“We’ve decided—” Sylvester paused as he stepped aside to let Viper back into the house. “—that until you’re all healed up, you’re going to stay with us. It’ll be easier for everyone that way.”

My mouth dropped open. “What? You can’t be serious. You can’t—” Forcing me to live with them, just because I was a little injured? Come on. It wasn’t like I was a baby. I could remember to take my pills on my own. I could even order takeout and have it delivered so I didn’t need to cook.

“Viper and Big Mike aren’t going to be home all the time to watch you,” Sylvester said. “So until then, you will be living with Mads and me. All of you.”

As if on cue, Maddox pushed out of the house, carrying a garbage bag full of something. Clothes, maybe. When he saw me, he gave me a smirk. Normally, I’d say that smirk meant he wanted to steal me away and fuck me long and hard, but until this thing on my stomach healed up, there would be no fucking.

No strenuous physical activities. No lifting things. No sex.Doctor’s orders.

Yeah, it was going to betorture.

“Why can’t you guys move in with me?” I asked, still not ready to give up.

“Our house is better,” he said. “Safer. People know to stay away from it. I’ll have a guard stationed near the road, just in case someone tries anything, and Maddox will be with you all day, even when we’re gone.”

“I’m not a child! I don’t need a babysitter—”

“For now, you do.” He went to place his current load in his car.

I rolled my eyes at him, unable to help myself. This whole thing was just ridiculous; I didn’t know why Sylvester couldn’t see that. Didn’t he stop and think,oh, maybe I’m going a bit too far? Or maybe he did and the answer was he didn’t give a shit. It wasn’t the first time I’d wondered if these guys were going to drive me insane.

Mike emerged from the house, Viper behind him. Both had more stuff in their arms.

“How much more?” Sylvester called out.

“I think this is it,” Viper said. “If we forgot anything, we can always run back over here and grab it.”

I stood there, wishing I could argue with them, but also knowing they were only doing this because they wanted to help me. Help me and keep me safe. Talk about annoying, right? Folding my arms over my chest, I turned to watch Harvey.

He’d gotten out of the car, watched the whole thing with an easy smile on his face. He leaned on his car, grinning.

“What the hell’s so funny?” I snapped at him.

“Nothing at all,” he said. He gave the roof of his car a single slap before moving away from it. He headed away from me, away from Sylvester, Maddox, Viper and Big Mike, heading to the mailbox toward the front of the property.

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