Page 57 of Ride or Die
I look to the ground and chuckle to myself that this fuck won't tell me anything. When I look up, he’s got a stupid smug smirk on his face, probably thinking he can buy me off. Quicker than he sees coming, my arm pulls back, and I punch him right in the face. The blow sends him to the floor, and he falls onto his ass, groaning with his hand pressed to his face.
“We’re still not good. You know how this works, Franky. Stay the fuck away from us. Mark my words, if I find out you knew who she is to me when you sent that fuck after her, I'll fucking kill you. Let whoever asked you to do this know I'm looking for them," I growl out and turn away.
“It’s alright! I had that coming. See ya soon, bud!” he calls out after me.
What a crazy fuck. I hit him, so he thinks we’re even. He paid someone to get to my girl, and that will never be forgotten. If I find out who did this, I’ll have them fucking killed. I have my suspicions, but I can’t do anything until I know for sure.
I exit through the garage party only to see Simone sitting in there, looking high as fuck. I shake my head with disbelief. I can’t believe she is hanging out with this crowd now.
When I arrive home, I open the bedroom door to find Layla sitting up in bed. I feel guilty that I left her here, but I needed to establish some boundaries with Franky. Layla got caught up in my shit, her main worry when we first started dating. I let her down, and she almost paid the price for it. I’ve gotten soft sincebeing with her, and I need to remind people who the fuck I am, a man in a fucking position of power in this place.
Just because I have a girlfriend doesn’t mean I won’t destroy their fucking lives if I have to.
“Hey, babe. I’m sorry, I had to take care of things,” I say softly, starting to undress.
“I know, I saw your note. Thank you for saving me tonight,” she says, eyes glued to the TV.
I finish changing and hop into bed beside her.
“Of course, baby. Are you okay?”
She nods. “I’m not lying when I say I need to learn self-defense, Colt. That was way too close, and you can’t always be there to protect me.” She leans into me, and I pull her in tight.
“I know. I think teaching you how to physically handle someone and use a switchblade are your best options. Guns are too risky. They can easily end up in the wrong hands or go off accidentally. But a knife to the thigh will take a guy down and keep him from going after you,” I say gently, resting my head on hers.
She bites her lip, deep in thought, then looks up at me. “Okay, we will do that. I trust your judgment. I was so stupid to go through the park. I have to remember I’m not invisible anymore. I need to make smarter decisions and be more aware of my surroundings.”
“Yeah, not really a good idea for you to be walking alone at night, period. Don’t lie and take trains either. I’m so fucking lucky I was looking for you when I pulled into the ‘burb, and my lights flashed onto the park. I should have been there for you instead of doing that shit for Williams. I’m sorry I keep letting you down, Layla,” I say with shame.
Layla tightens her hold on me, silently reassuring me as if I’m the one who needs comfort. I don’t deserve her.
“I’m sorry my life decisions have put you at risk. I’m sorry I brought you into this shit. I should have left you alone until we were closer to finishing school. Maybe I should send you somewhere, like get you a studio apartment in the city closer to school, away from all of this.”
She sits up quickly, turning to look at me with worry on her face.
“No! You can’t just ship me away!” she yells, and I sigh in frustration.
“Layla, look what happened tonight! Because of me!” I say angrily, practically yelling because I’m still riled up from everything. “I can make people think you got scared and ran. And I’ll just secretly visit you in the city.” I try to make it sound like it would work, but really, it would break my heart to not have her here with me.
“No fucking way! You’re not doing that to me! They will probably find out we’re still seeing each other, and I’ll be all alone in the city, even more vulnerable and at risk instead of here, safe with you!” she bites back, crossing her arms.
“I just can’t risk you getting hurt. This is so fucked.” I rub my hands up and down my face.
“Colt, I knew what I was getting myself into. Remember me taking the jabs at you for all of this right here? Not wanting to be involved? I wanted you, and I took you, and I have you. All my decisions. Was I blinded by love, unaware of the actual risks? Yes, but now it’s time for me to toughen the fuck up. I love you and want a life with you, and right now, this is our world, and I need to be the bad bitch on your arm. People have to stop fucking with us. I’m not being the predictable little good girl who runs away. Not fucking now.” She is breathless by the time she finishes, and I’m nearly smiling because she is so much stronger than even I give her credit for.
Filled with pride for my woman, I take her chin and pull her to me, capturing her lips with mine. She is fucking incredible, smart and badass, and she’s all mine.
“I am so lucky to have you, babe,” I whisper against her lips. “Tomorrow we begin training.” She smiles, and we snuggle in close to watch some TV. This girl right here is all I’ve ever needed in my life.
Now I just have to make sure I keep her safe.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-EIGHT
WINTER BREAK
LAYLA
