Bucked

“What? They’re fixing to kick you out?” He looks at me and back at the document. “Why?”

“That job I had, I guess it wasn’t exactly legal for me to do, and the guy I spilled beer on has a friend in the government.” I wipe a tear of frustration and anger from my eye. “It seems like he really has it out for—”

“Us,” Kanen finishes. His eyes darken. “Yeah, I wasn’t going to trouble you with it, but what’s happened here is a direct result of that gentleman’s dealings.” He says gentleman in the tone usually reserved for “asshole.”

“I suspected as much.” I look in his eyes, a little scared at the depth of emotion I see. “I saw him at the rodeo, Kanen. The night this happened.”

“Well don’t you worry, Chastity,” he says. “We’ll get through this. I’ve gotten through worse.” I bet he has. We’re both quiet. Darkness has fallen on this hospital room. “Goddamn it, me being in this hospital.” Kanen drops my hand as his dark eyebrows knit together.

It’s not long that we’re sitting there when some kids run in and then stop suddenly.

“Oh, sorry,” the tallest one says.

“That’s okay,” I say. “Did you want to visit Kanen?”

“Yes!” says the smallest. “We’re here to see the Wrecker.” He looks at me suspiciously. “Who are you?”

The oldest one elbows him in the side. “Shh!” he commands. “Do you want some privacy?”

“You’re all welcome here, fellas,” Kanen says. “Chastity, let me introduce you to Ricky, Damien, and Joe.”

They stand up straight at Ricky’s prompt.

“G

ood day, ma’am,” he says. “Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you,” the others echo in varying degrees of sincerity.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I say.

“Are you Kanen’s girlfriend?” the little one blurts out.

I look at Kanen, horrified.

“Um, how do you guys know him?” I ask.

“These are boys from the center that I run.”

“You didn’t tell her about us?” asks the middle one.

“Why, I was just about to,” Kanen says smoothly. “They’re wonderful kids, and I’d do anything for them.”

The little one runs and hugs Kanen, who catches him in one strong arm. Kanen’s mood has lifted, at least for now.

Thirty

Kanen

That fucker is messing with the wrong guy. What a complete and utter... prick. Playing with my career is one thing, but trying to deprive me of Chastity is something I won’t stand for. The anger is rising in my chest like an inferno. It’s so tempting to use anything I can muster to force him to his knees, but my brain is telling me to do things right. I almost see Jack’s face in my mind, urging me to take it easy, don’t be a hero, that the system works. But what I want to do is ruin him.

In any case this fucker’s not the only man who has friends in high places, and I won’t hesitate to bring in any favors that might be owed me.

I have the money to make this right, if I need to. But there’s one thing that I know will make it possible for Chastity to stay in the country: getting married. Once I get out of this hospital bed I am going to do two things: call Jack, in Philly, and look into getting a ring. After spending every night with Chastity, I know that I don’t ever want to stop making love to her. Over and over again.

He’s fucking with the wrong man.

The only question is whether I fight above board, or underground. But there is no question about this: I’m going to win.