Page 121 of Romeo

The satisfying sounds of air being forcefully pushed from Smith’s lungs hit Romeo’s ears. Seconds later, Smith’s Adam’s apple shifted under his palm.

“Take your hand off my neck.”

Did Smith think he was in the position to make demands? It was time to prove otherwise. Instead of loosening his grip, Romeo tightened it. “No one’s stoppin’ you from removin’ it.”

Was Maddie’s boss trying to swallow? Was he struggling to breath?

Too fucking bad.

Smith yanked at Romeo’s wrist and tried to peel his fingers free, but Romeo was stronger.

More determined.

And, if anyone gave a fuck enough to ask, pissed.

One thing was for sure, he was tired of seeing Maddie beat down. And the man causing that was now in Romeo’s hands.

When Smith tried to pull free again, he only cracked his own head against the brick wall.

That had to hurt.

Damn shame.

The grin he wore earlier slid right back into place. “So… Got a reason to treat your employees like shit? Besides the obvious one that you’re a dick.”

A croak was the only answer he heard.

Romeo turned his head until his ear was closer. “Didn’t get that.”

Smith’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water.

If he had to admit it, his chokehold might not be helping this discussion. “If I loosen my grip, you gonna run? Before you answer, just a warnin’… gonna have a discussion whether you wanna or fuckin’ not. Ain’t gonna be able to escape it. If it ain’t now, it’s gonna be later. Promise you that.”

All he heard was a gurgle.

Romeo loosened his grip slightly. “What’s that?”

Again, he heard nothing but a strangled noise.

“Glad to hear you’re agreeable and are up for a little convo. So, this is how it’s fuckin’ gonna go. Gonna release you and we’re going to continue this discussion like two fuckin’ men. Don’t disappoint me by runnin’ off like a little bitch. Got it?”

Smith managed a slight nod.

Romeo stared at him for a few more seconds, just knowing the asshole was going to run, before releasing Smith’s throat and taking a step back. He was ready to knock the fucker to the ground, if needed. And Smith couldn’t outrun a bullet. Not that Romeo was going to admit he was packing.

But at this point, the motherfucker hadn’t done anything to warrant a death sentence. Now, if he had put his hands on Maddie… That would be a whole different story.

“I don’t know who the hell you think you are, but I have a lot of friends in high places and you’re going to regret this.”

“Huh. ‘Magine that. I got friends in low places and ain’t lyin’ when I say my friends are fuckuva lot scarier than yours. But ain’t here for a dick sizin’ contest. Only want to have a word.”

“You could’ve called.”

“Nah, Roge, doubt you woulda answered. And anyway, this needed to be face-to-face.”

“I have nothing to discuss with you.”

“Don’t got the same opinion.”

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