Page 89 of Switch
Well.Shit.Okay.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him I’m not sure most people would bother to help, but I don’t.Ravi’s starry-eyed earnestness is refreshing.I’m not going to be the one to beat it out of him.I’m more selfish, is all.If I can take this piece of shit off the board, then Fallon won’t be in danger.He won’t have to be afraid.
And I will be the one to kill him, I don’t give a shit what Brennan says.I refuse to hide behind anyone.I’ll carve him apart, one tiny piece at a time.
“Look alive, man!”Jalen yells and then tosses something at me.A baseball bat.I manage to grab it right before it hits me in the face.
“What the fuck?You almost knocked me out.”
Jalen grins.“Needed to make sure you were alert enough to not get yourself killed.You’re looking a little rough there.Worst-case, if I knocked your ass out, at least then we’d get you to stay put.”
I give him the finger but wrap my hands around the bat.It’s solid and satisfying.Made of wood, not aluminum.It would crack a skull open easily.
“Okay.”Brennan zips up the bag he’s been rifling around in and looks at everyone.“Listen, no bullshit.We’re going in light because I’ve heard this guy’s a sick son of a bitch, and I don’t want people getting killed, or worse.”
Ravi holds up his hand again, and I’d bet my life he’s about to ask what’s worse than getting killed.I shake my head, telling him to drop it.Thankfully, he does.
Brennan points to Jalen and then to…Scott?No, I think it’s Mehmet—whatever his name is.“These two are my eyes and ears, and in my absence they give my orders.You fucking listen to them.I don’t feel too warm and fuzzy about taking you guys along, but this is a little like the parent who lets their kid drink at home so they don’t go out and party somewhere else.”
Ravi raises his hand again.This kid knows how to shoot a gun?“I don’t understand.”
“He’s saying he’s letting us come along because he doesn’t want us to try to go off on our own and do something stupid.”
To be fair, I absolutely would.I’d leave Ravi behind, though.
“Exactamundo.”Brennan, the asshole, gives me finger guns.Then he hoists one of the big bags, and Jalen does the same.
He points to Ravi and me.“You two keep your eyes open and your hands to yourselves.”
Ravi nods earnestly.I’m a little surprised he’s not taking notes.
“Form a line behind me, you murderous ducklings,” Brennan shouts.“We’re going to go show some pieces of shit they can’t fuck with our town.”
ChapterTwenty-Eight
Fallon
“I have to admit,I’m a little surprised you said yes to my invitation.”
Tomás leans back on the sofa and runs his finger over the rim of a wineglass.Since I’m not sure exactly what to say in response, I take a sip of the full-bodied red.I prefer beer, but even I can tell this is good stuff.
In the interest of trying to fill the aching cavern that opened inside me when I walked out on PJ, I’ve been pounding the pricey red as if it’s water.
“Easy there.”Tomás touches my arm with one hand, gently prying the glass out of my fingers with the other.
I try to shrug off his touch.Not that he isn’t a perfectly nice guy, but he isn’t the one I want touching me.In spite of my rant, in spite of PJ having more red flags than a wildfire area, I feel like I made a huge mistake.My concerns were legitimate, but when I replay our conversation?I believe PJ was being sincere.
In some ways this is harder than Marina’s death.That, at least, was final.What I feel right now is more like I took my heart out, handed it to PJ, and left it there.
“It’s good wine.”To avoid Tomás’s curious expression, I study the glass intently.“Marina was the wine connoisseur, but I learned a few things.I can tell it’s expensive.”
I take another gulp, because I want to and because I can.Because Tomás is a nice guy, but I know he’s a strict Dom.I’ve seen him at Daniel’s club.I’m trying to think of a kind way to let him know subbing for him isn’t a role I want to fill.
At one time I might have considered it.Not now.
Tomás gives me a curious look and then clears his throat.“I’m glad you like it.I enjoy sharing my collection with people.”He extends a finger, smoothing it along my forearm.“You look a bit lost, Fallon.”
I’m not lost.I’m just not where I belong.
