Page 42 of Sexting the Don

Jimmy backs up a step, not used to being challenged like this. But I’m done watching from the sidelines.

The tension in the room could be cut with a knife as I face off with Jimmy, pan still in hand. He regains his composure, puffing out his chest as he tries to regain control of the situation.

“Don’t act all high and mighty to me, you little slut. I know where that money you’ve been giving your mother comes from.”

The pieces click into place, a horrible realization dawning on me. Rage and disgust twist in my gut.

"So, this is what the fight was about? You think I’m, what, selling myself to Enzo? For you?" My voice rises, each word sharp and accusing.

Jimmy's expression hardens. "I know you've been seeing him. I'm not as stupid as you might think. All of a sudden, there’s money coming in. It doesn’t take a genius to put two and two together."

His words hit me like a physical blow, making me nauseous.

"You're disgusting," I spit out, the words laced with every ounce of contempt I feel. "How could you even think like that about your own daughter?"

But Jimmy just shrugs, a smug, twisted satisfaction in his eyes as he watches the horror unfold on my face. "You better smarten up, sweetie. Use what you got. It’s how the world works."

Mom's eyes spark with something fierce, and her voice grows stronger as she turns to me. "You want your own daughter to be nothing more than a whore? You’re deplorable!”

Rage boils on Jimmy’s face. He’s not used to my mother standing up to him.

"Shut the fuck up!" He lunges towards her, ready to strike.

I jump in, grabbing his arm with all my might and brandishing the heavy pan over his head, stopping him cold. "If you lay another hand on her, you'll regret it," I spit out, my voice steady with a threat I fully intend to keep.

"And you can sort out your own damn messes from now on," I continue, locking eyes with him, daring him to challenge me. "I’m not hitting up Enzo for a single penny. Not for you.”

Jimmy’s face twists into a snarl, his anger boiling over. For the first time, I think there’s a chance he might hit me, too.

But I don’t flinch. I'm done being scared, done letting him think he can control me or Mom with his threats and violence.

It’s clear that I’ve struck a nerve. He's furious, but there's a hint of uncertainty there, too, because he knows I'm serious. I'm standing my ground, and this time, I'm not backing down.

Chapter 18

Mandy

Suddenly, Jimmy yanks his arm out of my grip, his hands clamping down on my shoulders and shoving me against the wall, causing me to drop the pan.

“You little fucking brat!”

It’s not hard enough to knock the wind out of me but I'm hyper-aware of the tiny life growing inside of me, needing my protection.

I can’t let on about the baby, not yet.

His face is inches from mine, and the fury in his eyes is terrifying. I can feel the heat from his breath and smell the booze on him.

Despite the fear coursing through my veins, I lock my jaw and meet his glare with one just as fierce. I refuse to let him see any fear.

“If you don’t start pulling cash from Enzo, I swear, kid, I’ll beat the shit out of you and your mother,” he hisses.

The threat hangs heavy in the air between us.

I jerk away from him, my back pressing against the cool wall. “And what do you think Enzo will do to you if you touch me?” I spit back, my voice razor-sharp.

He scoffs, his disdain clear as day. “You’re nothing but a toy to him. If you’re smart, you’ll use that to your advantage.”

“You mean toyouradvantage,” I snap back, anger boiling over. “I won’t do it.”

---