Page 126 of Don't Make Me Beg
“It was me. I was the one who spray-painted this building.” I glance back to Luka and say, “Luka took the fall for me… And my father knew the whole time.”
The rounding gasps of shock echo around us as everyone bursts into chaos.
“Is that true?”
“How could you do that to that poor boy?”
“You gave him the harshest penalty possible!”
My father’s hand latches on my arm in a bone-crushing grip as he yanks me behind him. “We’re leaving… Now!”
I try to shrug him off, but his grip is too tight. “Ow, you’re hurting me.”
He steps off the platform, yanking me behind him, causing me to lose my balance. My foot slips and I fall the short distance, landing on the side of my ankle.
The next thing I know, Luka’s by my side. “You okay?”
I nod, wincing as he helps me to my feet.
Then he’s in my father’s face. “Lay a finger on my wife again, and I’ll break every bone in your hand, so you’ll never be able to hold a pen… much less forge another signature,” Luka seethes, staring down at my father.
My father’s eyes grow wide in recognition.
“Yeah. I fucking know about all the shell companies you used Scout’s identity to hide behind.” Luka sucks his teeth and tilts his head, making his neck crack. “I was going to let the cops handle it, but I’m running out of patience. So If I were you, I’d get the fuck out of here before I lose my temper.”
“You just started a war motherfucker.” The shove that comes to Luka’s back barely causes him to stumble, pushing him only slightly forward.
A look of sweet relief washes over Luka’s face as he breathes out a sigh. “Thank God.” The devilish smile that spreads over his face is almost as terrifying as it is hot.
Luka spins around. He swings his fist, making perfect contact to Jimmy’s cheekbone with a sickening crunch. And chaos erupts around us.
The next thing I know, Guy’s at my side, “Let’s get you out of here,” he says, before tossing me over his shoulder. I lift my dangling head to watch the chaos ensue as he carries me to safety.
I watch as Jimmy stumbles on his feet, trying to collect himself. My father fists Luka’s shirt, but Luka doesn’t as much as flinch, just looks him dead in the eye, as if begging him to hit him.
He raises his fist, but before he can land the punch, Frank comes out of nowhere, grabs the back of his shirt, and pulls him back.
Jimmy dives at Luka’s waist, causing them both to fly back, landing hard against the cobblestone.
My father spins around just as Frank’s fist connects with his face. He shakes out his hand with a satisfied smile. “I’ve been waiting thirty years to do that.”
Jimmy tries to get up and run, but Luka grabs his ankle, pulling him back down. He climbs on top of him, landing blow after blow, until Jett pulls him off.
“That’s enough,” Jett says as Luka fights to get another hit. “Luka, calm down. I said that’s enough. The cops are on their way.”
Sirens wail in the distance, and my father stumbles to his feet, panic in his eyes as he tries to make a run for it. He shoves past a group of older women, but he doesn’t make it ten feet before something causes him to abruptly stop. He falls face first onto the ground with a hard thud.
Roman stands over him holding the rope tied around his feet. “Where do you think you’re going?” He drops to one knee as he loops the rope around my father’s hands, securing his hands behind his back as my father struggles uselessly.
Luka drags a teary-eyed Jimmy over to his brother, and Roman secures him with the rope just as easily as Jimmy wails. “Wait until my father hears about this!” His protest is cut short as Roman stuffs his sweaty bandanna into his mouth. He takes a step back, hands on his hips, as if appreciating his work.
My father and Jimmy lay on their bellies, hog-tied with their hands and feet tied together.
“Now, I may have to try that on Susan next time she tries to get mouthy,” Big Dan says, nudging the man beside him with a chuckle.
Luka makes his way over to us, thanking Guy for getting me away from the danger. He drops to his knees, already zeroed in on my swollen ankle. “I’m so sorry, baby, I?—”
“Luka, I’m fine.” I place a hand on his chest as I try my best to reassure him. I trace my finger over the bruise already forming around his eye. “Does it hurt?”
