Page 16 of Hold Him Like Gravity

Renzo took the opportunity to move in as soon as she walked out, giving me a chin lift.

“How’s Ricky?”

“Probably has a concussion. Hit ‘im pretty good. Whacked his face on the pavement on the way down.”

“Shit,” I sighed. “Gonna be down two people for a few days,” I said, feeling a muscle in my jaw start to tick.

I couldn’t have people behind my counter looking like they’d gotten attacked. People would put shit together, realize someone had the balls to rob me. That would open us up to more shit like that happening moving forward.

“Make one of your soldiers pull the weight,” Renzo said, shrugging. “Probably a good idea to have a little extra security around here like that anyway. At least until we know more. Did she say anything?”

At my blank look, he snorted.

“Didn’t ask her anything, did you?” he asked, a knowing look in his eyes.

“I’m gonna take her home. I’ll grill her then. Was more worried about her face.”

“Course you were,” Renzo said as I spotted Saff and Serano making their way in the back door.

“What do you need from us?” Saff asked. Serano, as per usual, loomed silently in the doorway.

“We don’t want this shit getting out,” Renzo said. “But keep an ear for anyone bragging about robbing the place. Rico is gonna walk the girl home and get more info. While he’s gone, we’ll go over the security footage.”

“I’m gonna take Ricky home,” Coal said from behind Serano.

“Yeah, appreciate that,” I said. “Tell him he’s taking a few days off. Paid. Plus some money for damages. I’ll drop by to see him tomorrow.”

And likely get my ass chewed out by his protective wife. I’d take that lashing silently. I deserved it. My employees should have been safe at work.

“You ready?” I asked, spotting Kick standing near the back door.

She gave me a nod.

“I’ll be back in a bit,” I told Renzo. “Come on, babe,” I said, leading Kick out the front door, wanting to avoid her seeing Ricky if he looked as bad as Coal claimed.

“I’m this way,” Kick said, leading me in the direction of her apartment. “I really am okay to work,” she insisted.

“Probably right. But I want you out for a few days anyway.”

She didn’t fight me on that again. Instead, asked something I was surprised it took her so long to get to. “Why didn’t you call the police?”

“The fuck they gonna do?” I asked, watching her profile, wondering if she, somehow, didn’t know who I was. Who Renzo was. What we actually did for a living.

“Don’t you need a police report for your insurance to pay you back for the loss?”

“I’m not worried about the money. I’m worried about making sure this shit doesn’t happen again.”

“This is me,” Kick said another couple of buildings down, making me look up at the building that maybe had twenty units, max. It was on a side street known for prostitutes and meth dealers.

Was this all she could afford on her salary?

Suddenly, I felt like I needed to sit down and rebalance the books, giving everyone a fucking raise if this was the best they could do.

“I’m gonna walk you up,” I said as she looked at me.

There was no good reason to insist on it.

Save for wanting to spend a few more minutes with her in private.

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