Page 122 of Clinch'd

Would he hurt me? I don’t know and it’s a lonely, scary place to be.

As a result, when he swings toward me, I flinch away.

His brows slam over his eyes and he says, “How do we get in?”

Shaking my head, I whisper, “I don’t know.”

“Sure, you fucking don’t,” he growls, and I throw up my hands.

“You want to blame me? Fine! But I don’t fucking know how toget in,” I say making air quotes. “This is the first time I’ve ever been in the house.”

Before I have time to move back, he grabs my chin and tilts my head, searching my eyes. The grip stings but I bite my lip to keep from showing him a reaction.

He can fuck right off. Asshole.

“If you’re fucking lying to me…”

The veiled threat sends a shard of ice through my chest but I merely whisper, “What?”

He grunts in answer and pushes me away. I barely catch myself from hitting the window behind me and glance beyond, spying the trees passing by in a blur.

I should have run from Lorri and Sal earlier. I should have demanded to be taken to my brother. Fuck, I should have left town long before now.

Instead, I’m sitting in a car with two idiots who think I have the answers. Dammit.

“Call Lorri,” Beast says.

“No.”

“What did you fucking say?” Cooper says.

Biting back my frustration, I raise my hands and say, “If I call Lorri, he’s dead.”

If he isn’t already but this, I don’t say. A small mercy for the man who’s broken my fucking heart.

That’s all he’s getting though except my resolve weakens when he grabs his head and groans. The animalistic sound echoes in my soul and I press my fingers to my mouth, holding back the sob trembling on my tongue.

I’m angry and rightfully so but a man’s life hangs in the balance. Of course, he’s upset. I would be too. The problem is, I can’t help him. Castinetti doesn’t trust me, and I suspect he doesn’t trust Lorri either.

“Stop the car,” Cooper says and Beast wrenches on the wheel.

My stomach swoops and I hold out my hand but I’m powerless against the momentum and fly forward with a gasp. Cooper’s arm swings out but it’s too late and I slam against the seat.

Of course, pain immediately takes up residence in my skull, competing with the dull ache leftover from Jordan’s attack just a few days ago.

“Fuck! Minnie?” Cooper rasps but my gorge rises, and I fumble with the door before leaning over just in time to puke my guts out on the gravel.

“Shit,” I think Cooper says, the car shaking as he exits behind me.

Blinking back tears, I heave once more and damn my life as Cooper’s boots come into view. Unfortunately, I think I’m done because if I had anything left to give, I’d be vomiting on his shoes next.

Ha!

“Minnie? Are you alright?” he rasps but I just shake my head and turn away. I’m not alright but I’m not about to share it with this psycho.

“Bro?” Beast says and Cooper barks, “What?”

“Calm the fuck down. And think. Who do you know that can get us inside?”

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