Page 62 of Rematch
As soon as the words left my lips, his hands were around my neck. He pushed me back against the wall and gave my throat a tight squeeze. “You listen here, you little shit,” he growled, his eyes livid. “Just because you’re my blood doesn’t mean you’re not disposable.”
“Clearly,” I muttered despite the lack of air. “You threw away the other one with no regrets.”
“Hewas a mistake.Youare my legacy.” Giving me a harsh shove against the wall, he added, “Don’t ever get that shit twisted.”
I refrained from coughing as he finally released my neck and allowed fresh air into my lungs. Scowling, I rubbed my sore muscles.
“Now,” my father said, strolling towards the inventory of weapons hanging on the opposite side of the wall. He glancedover his options before picking up a sharp blade. “Let me show you how to really take care of your enemies.”
“No, no, please,” the man whimpered as my father stalked up behind him. “Just let me go. Please. I promise it won’t happen again. Please!”
Ignoring his pleas, my father placed his hand over his forehead and tilted his head back.
I grimaced as he shoved the tip of the knife against the opposite side of his neck and dragged the blade straight across.
Chapter 25
Audrey
Knock. Knock. Knock.
I tore my eyes away from the mirror and glanced at my open bedroom doorway.
Papa was standing there, hand still resting against the door and a soft smile on his face.
“Max is downstairs,” he told me. “Do you two have a date you forgot to tell us about?”
“Oh, shit,” I muttered. “Sorry, I meant to say something, but-”
“It’s fine,” he said, holding his hands up. “We knew he was coming back in the picture sooner or later.”
Focusing back on myself in the mirror, I continued brushing mascara onto my lashes. “How much did Dad and Ms. Tatianna bet on us?”
“Fifty bucks. You’d think Benny would know better by now. She wins every single time.”
I smiled. “Well, that’s a mother’s intuition for you.”
“What do the two of you have planned tonight?”
“Dinner and roller skating.” I waved my hand over my crop top, jeans, and neon-graffiti decorated skater jacket laying on my dresser. “Hence the more casual outfit.”
Papa stepped behind me and smoothed out a piece of my hair that was sticking out from my ponytail. “It’s good,” he murmured. “That you two are hanging out again. You need a good friend in times like this.”
I nodded. Having Max around has been nice - even with all the additional stress he’s caused. The familiarity of his presence was comforting. With all the unknowns swirling around, it was nice to know there was someone I could clutch onto if I needed to.
And, with the other night still on my mind, I figured it was about time I stopped skirting around the conversations we needed to have and gave him the chance he’s been asking for.
Once I was finished getting ready, Papa and I headed downstairs.
Dad and Max were sitting in the living room, Dad on the couch and Max in the Lay-Z-Boy. Similar to me, Max kept his outfit casual with a sweatshirt and jeans. Pops of gold from the links around his wrist and neck spruced up his simple attire.
Both of their eyes darted to me as I appeared in the doorway. “You’re early,” I scolded my date.
Max’s eyes dragged over my body, lingering on my torso. “And you stole my jacket. You know how long I’ve been looking for that thing?”
I rolled my eyes. “About the same amount of time as I’ve had it.” I gave both of my fathers a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll be home later,” I promised.
“Mhm, you better,” Benny said. He looked at Max. “The same rules still apply. Keep your hands to yourself or I’ll whip your ass.”
