Page 71 of Benji

Flirting, playing it up. Being loud.

Being themselves.

Benji wore his black jeans that slung low enough to reveal his hip bones, and a pink Strawberry Shortcake crop top that looked hot as hell. His black curls shone under the neon lights, and I swear to god, I’d never seen anyone sexier than him right then.

A man approached them, aiming for Fitch, and the little punk flirted before he turned him down. Dominic growled, and I snorted. “He knows you’re watching. He wants you to punish him later.”

Dominic narrowed his eyes out the windscreen.

“You are seeing him later, yes?” I asked.

He cut me a dirty side-eye that told me yes, but also to shut up and mind my own business.

I smiled to myself, just as two men approached the boys. They trained in like sharks on Benji, making him take a step back. Then I saw what one of them was holding. My heart skidded to a stop. “He has a gun,” I said, fumbling for the door handle.

“Wait,” Dominic said, grabbing my arm.

Then Benji gave the sign. He put both his hands up, and in an instant, swarms of cops descended from the darkness and surrounded them. Fitch and Ky pulled Benji away, and after a two-second standoff, the two men were now face down on the ground, then Dominic let go of my arm. “Okay, let’s go.”

I was out of that car so fast and running across the street, crowds and traffic be damned. Benji was fine, I could see that, but he was searching for me, and he sagged when he saw me coming.

I collected him in a hug, holding him tight. “It’s okay. It’s over.”

He nodded into my neck. Because itwasover. Well, the two hired henchmen were done. Benji didn’t have to worry about them anymore. And after a tense week—and years of stress for Benji—it seemed surreal for this to be over. Even though the real battle hadn’t even begun yet.

Another piece of the giant Barbieri crime ring puzzle was sliding into place. There were a lot of pieces to go, but every step forward was a win. Benji had done more than enough, and now it was up to the police and legal team to do their parts.

I wouldn’t be on that legal team, but I’d be beside Benji every step of the way.

I pulled back and took in Benji’s face, his body. “Are you hurt?”

He shook his head. “No.”

Dominic was with Fitch and Ky, and the cops were hauling the two men away.

“What do you need?” I asked Benji. “You name it.”

“I just want to go home.”

Home.

Sounded good to me. The police knew where to find us if they needed to.

I tucked Benji under my arm and turned to the others. “Are you guys okay? Benji wants to go home.”

Fitch and Ky both nodded, and Fitch gave Benji’s arm a squeeze. “I’ll call you.”

He gave them both a hug.

I met Dominic’s eyes. “Do you need a lift?”

He inhaled deeply, his eyes darting to Fitch. “No, I’m good. I’ll make sure this one gets home.”

Fitch grinned, his tongue licking the side of his mouth.

“Ky, what about you?” I asked.

He started walking backwards, heading up toward the 180 club. He gave us a smile. “I’m all good, thanks. Talk to you tomorrow, Benj.”

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