Page 23 of Outplayed

“He’s not getting me.”

“You got a past with him?”

“Yes. University days, but it doesn’t matter. He tapped my phones. He’s a pimp. He’s not for me any longer.”

Warden hummed under his breath.

“What?” I snapped.

“Nothin’, Vi. Good luck, and call if you need help.”

“I will. Later,” I said, then hung up as I pulled into Travis’s property. The gate was still open, so I drove through and saw Travis standing in his doorway. Another man, who was covered in tattoos—arms, neck, and no doubt body—stood outside the door and to the left of it. A woman, Kathleen I assumed, was up in Travis’s face, yelling, waving her arms around erratically.

Parking, I climbed out. Everyone paused to take me in as I made my way up to the front door.

“Who the fuck is this?” Kathleen screeched.

Stopping beside them with my hands on my hips, I looked up to the tall bitch and said, “Violet Marcus. Private investigator. It’s my understanding you’re in breach of a restraining order. If you’ll come with me calmly, I’ll take you to the station.”

I knew asking for calm wasn’t the best move since I hated it when people told me to be calm. Kathleen was the same. She came at me and pushed me back. “I’m not going anywhere until I see my daughter, bitch.”

“Ma’am—”

“Don’t fucking call me ma’am.” She went to push me again. I sidestepped her, and she stumbled forward, whirling to face me again.

“Fine. Kathleen, you can either leave right now and never return to this property, or I will take you in. I have the right to do so.”

“Fuck you,” she spat.

Sighing, I watched as she moved around me and got close to Travis. “Let me in to see Izzy, Travis.”

“For the final time, Kathleen, no,” he stated.

It was as if a switch flicked inside of her. She stepped closer, her expression softening, her body relaxing. Then her hand came out, and she managed to rub it down Travis’s body, heading towards his junk when I leaped forward, gripped her hand hard enough she yelped, and pulled her away from him.

“Do. Not. Touch. Him.” Realizing what I said, I quickly added, “Violation again against a restraining order.” I twisted her arm behind her back and glanced to Travis. “What do you want to happen?”

I felt like slapping that smirk off his face. He was probably pleased I stopped her groping him. I only did it because she was sick and twisted. She had no clue what her actions and words could do to a little girl who could be listening inside.

Travis’s face hardened when he looked to his ex. “Will you leave and never return?”

She didn’t say anything, so I pulled her arm back tighter. She cried out. “I’ll go.”

Turning her, I released her arm and pushed her forward. Crossing my arms over my chest, I raised my brows when she turned back. I waited. When she didn’t say anything, only glared, I gave her my back and faced Travis and the other silent man who stood with a huge grin on his face.

I listened to her footsteps, heard a car door open and then slam. It wasn’t until the car started and peeled out of the driveway that I said, “She’s going to be trouble again.”

Travis nodded. “I know.”

“Ring the police, tell them about this incident. I’m sure you have cameras, so show them the footage. You want this on record….” I paused. “Unless you don’t want her to go to jail.”

The other man snorted.

Travis’s upper lip raised. “I want her to rot.”

I nodded. “Okay then. Get this on record, and if she comes back again, call the police. They’ll arrest her.”

“I will.”

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