Page 10 of Restless
The amusement dancing in Bash’s eyes chilled Johnnie. Declining Gabby’s services wouldn’t cost her job. It would forfeit her life.
Gripping the girl’s arms, he got to his feet and backed her to the seat on the other side of him. Pity rose in him at the stark fear on Gabby’s face. He smiled gently. Once he sat, he took her hand in his and kissed the back of it to buy time. Though he didn’t appreciate the censure in Brooks’s eyes, he ignored it and kept Gabby’s hand in his. He’d want a motherfucker to find a way to save his daughter, too.
“I take it you’ve read everything I sent to Brooks,” Bash started.
Gabby trembled. Johnnie drank. “I did.”
At Bash’s nod, Cleaner ambled behind Gabby’s chair. Tension settled into Johnnie and he emptied his glass. Foregoing the pleasantries, he swiped the bottle and guzzled.
Snickering, Cleaner placed his hand on Gabby’s throat.
“Mr. Banks, I’ll pay you double her rate for the night,” Brooks blurted.
“Double?” Cleaner ran a long finger over her chest, not commenting on the way Brooks addressed him. “But you don’t know her asking price, lawyerman.”
Brooks snapped his mouth shut.
“Take her now or else it won’t be pretty, Johnnie,” Cleaner swore.
Her death would be long, painful and gruesome.
Dropping her hand, Johnnie looked at Bash. “Let’s conclude our business first, then I’ll enjoy your gift.”
“No!” Cleaner insisted. “I want you to fuck hernow.”
Bash finished his beer. “I’m a reasonable man,” he said around a sour belch. “Let her suck your cock for the time being. Show good faith before we proceed.”
“Otherwise, her tongue’s useless,” Cleaner said, drawing a knife out of his cut.
Gabby burst into tears as horror washed over Brooks’s face.
Grabbing a handful of her hair and yanking her head back, Cleaner slid the knife from the corner of Gabby’s mouth to the edge of her jaw, ignoring her struggles. It wasn’t a deep cut, but it was long. Blood bubbled to the surface.
Johnnie’s nostrils flared. Somehow, he ignored the sudden urge for gore and death. The scent of blood still held power over him.
Yet, there would be no saving this girl, now or later. If Johnnie allowed the travesty to continue, Gabbywouldsuffer grave indignities and tremendous pain.
“Tell your fucking cousin to stand down,” Johnnie snarled.
Bash grinned. “He’s your cousin too, asswipe.”
True. If Cee Cee Caldwell and Sharper Banks were first cousins, then their sons and daughters would be second cousins. Meaning, Cleaner wasn’t only Mortician and Digger’s half-brother but Johnnie and Christopher’s cousin. Unbelievably, motherfucking Rack had been their uncle.
Gabby’s blood still flowed. Her sobs reached Johnnie through a tunnel covered in red and scented with death.
His temples throbbed. “My mistake,” he said softly. “Tellourcousin to stand down.”
Bash nodded to Cleaner. A moment later, the motherfucker resumed his position in front of the table.
Brooks dug in his suit pocket and got a handkerchief. Sliding his chair closer to Gabby, he pressed the silk against her cheek.
“You’re not here to nurse a cunt,” Bash snapped.“I summoned you for advice on the OGs and Hoochie Mamas.”
His hand trembling, Brooks glanced over his shoulder, keeping the handkerchief in place at Johnnie’s nod.
“Do you even know what a hoochie mama is, Bash?” Johnnie said with a snicker.
“Do you, boy?” Cleaner demanded, glaring at Johnnie.
