Page 47 of A Kingpin's Weakness
“They’re friends.”
“No, Stormi. Seth is Ronnie’s plug. That’s business. Far from friendship.”
I exhaled. “Still. Seth’s a hothead. And he has a son. He can’t afford this kind of trouble.”
“I’m pretty sure Seth has handled worse and came out clean.”
“That’s what scares me,” I whispered.
“What does?”
“His lifestyle. I don’t want to be a part of it. I’ve tried so hard to stay away from that life. I won’t survive it a second time.”
“I’m at the door, Stormi.”
“Okay.”
I hung up and practically sprinted to the front door.
“RJ”
The second it opened, I crashed into his arms like my body had been waiting for permission to fall apart.
“Stormi, you’re okay.”
“I hate it here. I really, really hate it here.” I cried, sounding like that exhausted teenage girl who was balancing a life she didn’t ask for.
“I know. I’m sorry I called you back.”
“I would’ve come back regardless.”
“Let’s get your stuff and go.”
Packing didn’t take long. One suitcase, one duffle. RJ grabbed both. I clutched my purse and phone like lifelines. The drive to his place was quiet; my brain wasn’t. I wanted to go home. Back to peace. But I wanted Noah to come too. And that complicated everything.
Ring. Ring.
I flinched. The sound of my phone sliced through the silence. My phone lit up on my lap like it had something to say before I was ready to hear it.
“Is that Ronnie?” RJ leaned forward, peering at the screen.
I shook my head. “No. Seth.”
“Did you call him?”
“No.”
“You gonna answer?”
I stared at the screen. My chest squeezed. “No.”
“Why not?”
“Because he’s gonna know something’s wrong.”
The phone stopped. My breath didn’t. Then it lit up again. Second call. Like he had this shit on a timer.
“What the fuck,” RJ muttered.
