Page 95 of Stepson

Her begging makes me feel like I’m going to murder her and then burn her club to the ground. The thought might have crossed my mind when I worked for her before, but I’m not a monster. I just want what she owes me so I can leave her and this shit hole in the past where it belongs. This money will get us by until I can find a respectable job that doesn’t involve slutty bosses trying to fuck their employees.

I take the money and release the back of her neck before I step away.

“You’re dead to me, Pearl, and if you don’t want a visit like this again, you’ll forget I even exist.”

Shoving the wad of cash in my back pocket, I storm out of her office and never look back. She doesn’t mean a thing to me, and I can finally walk away from one of the darkest times of my past. Now I need a drink and a game plan. I’m still too on edge to go home to Bentley, and I want to figure out what to say to her before I do so. Losing her isn’t an option, and I don’t want to blow it with my angry, resentful words.

Chapter forty-nine

Bentley

My nerves are all over the place as I get closer and closer to Redd's bar, hoping he'll be there. I have no idea what I’m going to say to him when I find him, but it’s clear I need to say something, or I might lose him.

Gabe is scared, but so am I. He doesn't have the right to storm off without a word, doing lord knows what while I sit back at our little garage apartment wondering where he is. This is something we need to discuss whether he wants to or not. He’s about to become a father in a few short months, and I need to know if he’s in this with me, or if I have to go at it all alone. The sooner I know, the sooner I can figure out my next steps.

Redd's bar comes into view and my heart thunders even harder. If Gabe was here, I imagined he'd be pretty sloshed rightabout now. I haven't been around a drunk Gabe and have no idea how this conversation will go. I just hope he remembers how we feel about each other and listens to what I have to say.

I park Maggie's car along the curb and get out, feeling nervous as hell as I approach the front door of the bar. An old jukebox plays 70s rock music, mixed with the sounds of the regulars laughing and shouting. The smell of stale cigarettes wafts through the air, but I don't remember it smelling this bad when I met Gabe here last. I’m at the correct place, right? But one look at the red neon sign lighting up the words: Redd's Bar, confirms that I am.

As my eyes adjust to the darkness, I seek Gabe out but he’s nowhere to be found. Perhaps he’s in the bathroom? Then my eyes land on a familiar face, and even though the guy makes me uncomfortable, I know he'll be able to help me find Gabe.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” Jeff states as I approach him at the bar.

“Have you seen Gabe?” I cut right to the point, not wanting to be here any longer than I have to be.

His eyes slide over my appreciatively, making me uncomfortable, before he slowly shakes his head.

“Nope, haven’t seen him.”

I blow out a breath, irritated that I can’t find him as easily as I had hoped.

“Do you think he’s at the Kitten’s Lair?”

He chuckles. “I’m sure he’s having a great time with Pearl. If she had it her way, he’s probably naked and fucking her brains out as we speak.”

I cringe at his words, trying not to mentally picture Gabe with another woman at the moment. I just pray Jeff’s wrong and I’ll show up at the Kitten’s Lair and he won't be there. Sure, I’ll be right back to square one on trying to find him, but at least I’ll know he isn’t doing what I pray he isn’t.

“Thanks,” I reply dryly as I turn on my heel and try to leave.

Jeff jumps off of his stool and blocks me from leaving.

“Hey, hold up, let me buy you a drink. It’s the least I can do for interrupting your guys’ night together that one time when Gabe had to pick me up.”

“And getting Gabe arrested. No, thanks.”

I try to move around him but he blocks me again. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as I glare up at him.

"Let me make it up to you. Gabe and I shared women quite a bit back in the day. I can be gentle."

He reaches up and tries to touch me but I quickly swat his hand away. This situation is going south fast and I need to get out of here before Jeff does something to anger Gabe. I don't need Gabe going back to prison for murder.

"Oh, Gabe's here!"

The color in Jeff's face immediately drains as fear swims through his gaze. He looks around for Gabe as he steps away from me, and I take this time to make my run for the exit. I’m not sure if I'll tell Gabe about Jeff's actions or not. I mean, the guy totally deserves to get his ass kicked for what he just tried to pull, but I know Gabe's temper will explode. Look what he did when that guy thought I was a prostitute. I can't imagine what he'll do to Jeff.

I jump back in Maggie's car and drive off in the direction of the sex club. Jeff's words come back into my mind and all I can think about is Gabe fucking Pearl. I’m sick to my stomach and know that if I walk in on that scene,I'llbe the one going to prison for murder today.

The club comes into view and another familiar face greets me. This guy is much nicer than Jeff, and I pray this altercation goes better than the last one.