Page 95 of Dean

“Yeah. Who the fuck wants to know?”

“I’m here to speak to you about Avery,” I say.

His eyes flash to mine and narrow rapidly. “What about him? That asshole stole my money.”

“No. He didn’t.”

“How the fuck do you know, old man?” He stands up a little straighter, and I do too. I haven’t gotten into a fight in years, not since my days playing hockey, but fuck if this man doesn’t make me angry. I want to knock those yellow teeth from his face.

“I know him and he didn’t do it. Now, what will it take for you to leave him alone?”

He snorts, choking slightly. “When I get my money back.”

“He doesn’t have it.”

“The fuck you say! I don’t believe you or him. Especially him. He hides shit. You know that? You know what he likes?”

I arch an eyebrow and crack my knuckles. “I do.”

He snorts again and runs a trembling hand across the back of his mouth. “He tell you what he got up to when he thought no one was looking?”

“I don’t fucking care,” I murmur, even though that makes me a little curious. I want to know everything about Avery.

“Yeah, you do. Asshole, I can see you care. Your eyes say so. You want to know what your little queer boyfriend has been up to.”

“Fuck off.”

“I won’t. Not until I get what he stole from me.”

“How much was it?” I ask, and Nick cocks his head slightly.

“You gonna pay it?”

I don’t answer, just grind my teeth slightly, waiting for him to answer.

“Nah, you know what? I’m not going to tell you. You couldn’t afford it, anyway. You look poor as fuck. Fuck you and fuck him. You’ll get what’s coming to you both.”

That’s it. My hands unclench as I step toward him, grabbing his ratty shirt and pushing him up against the wall. He smells like piss, and as his toes brush the ground, an unmanly squeak slips from his lips.

“Listen, you piece of shit. I let you talk out of your ass because you look like a dick and I wanted to see what you had to say for yourself, but I didn’t like any of it, so I’m going to fuck you up. You have no idea who I work for,” I add lowly. “The things I will do to you if you continue to bother him…”

“Yeah, I don’t believe you. You wouldn’t hurt a fly. You’re too soft. Let me go,” he murmurs, but he looks slightly afraid.

Good. He should. I don’t technically work for Anthony, but I could call in a favor. I would, too. I’d make this piece of shit disappear. I wouldn’t even feel bad about it.

“No, not until you tell me you’ll fuck off. Stop texting him. Stop thinking about him. He didn’t take your money. You spent it and are looking for a way out.”

“No, Avery’s a thief. Just ask him. Ask him about it. You don’t know his secrets, man.”

I shove him harder against the wall, his head knocking roughly against the dented plaster, and he lets out a small wheeze.

“I don’t need to ask him shit. Just stay away from him.”

When he doesn’t answer, I shake him a little harder, making his teeth rattle.

“Fine.Fine!”

It’s only then that let him go. His feet hit the ground and he sags slightly to the right, catching his breath. I don’t move away, just stand there, looming, until finally I take a step back.

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