Page 160 of Romeo

“Needed to make a statement. One you wouldn’t forget.”

Romeo could guarantee he’d never forget this shit. Not sure he’d ever forgive it, either.

“You fuckin’ tell her to leave me alone, too? Or do you just think it was one-sided?” he asked Shade.

“Don’t give a fuck if she wants to marry you and have your goddamn babies. Ain’t gonna happen. Find a reason to cut her loose.”

Didn’t he know that Maddie had already cut ties with him? “How’s she gonna like you interferin’ in her life?”

Shade didn’t answer, but Easy did. “Ain’t for her to know and you ain’t gonna tell her, either.”

One side of Shade’s mouth pulled up and it wasn’t in a smile. For the first time in his fucking life, a sliver of fear slipped down Romeo’s spine.

He could hold his own if the threat came at him from the front. But it was well known among those in the alliance that Shade was quiet and deadly. Unlike Diesel. Unlike Judge. Unlike Magnum.

Shade was more dangerous than all of them. He was on the same ass-puckering level as Diesel’s Shadows.

You’d be dead before you know what hit you.

He needed to convince Shade to reconsider his plans. “She tell you about her dick boss? And why I stepped in?”

“She tell you not to get involved?”

Ah, fuck.

“But you did anyway, didn’t you?” Easy asked next.

The two Fury members were tag-teaming him.

Shade tipped his head at Easy. “Slide him in.”

“Wait!” Romeo shouted. “Does Maddie know you’re doin’ this?”

“Not up to her.”

“She might have a fuckin’ opinion.”

“Opinions are like assholes,” Easy said on a dry laugh, “everyone’s got one.”

Fuck Easy. Romeo needed to concentrate on Shade. Easy was just that psycho’s sidekick. “She didn’t wanna tell you about that dick she worked for. She was afraid somethin’ like this would happen to him if she did. So, I took care of it, instead.”

“By gettin’ her fired.”

How much did Maddie tell him?

“You should be fuckin’ thankin’ me for handlin’ that asshole. Only wanted to teach that fucker a lesson for abusin’ her. Was tryin’ to help her goddamn career not fuck it up.”

“Well, you fucked it up,” Easy said. “All those goddamn years of college and now what? She’s back to livin’ at home and takin’ odd jobs. All ‘cause you couldn’t respect her decisions.”

“What the fuck this gotta do with you?” Romeo bit off.

“She’s family,” was Easy’s answer. “We’re all fuckin’ family.” He leaned closer. “You ain’t.”

“Shoulda came to me,” Shade said.

“About that dickhead? Just said?—”

“To ask permission,” Easy interrupted.

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