“Yeah,” she whispers with a slight nod.
“Would give you the world if I could.” I kiss her once more, having a hard time doing what I know I gotta.
Alexa breaks away. “I don’t want the world. I only wanna live in yours.” Her words punch me straight in the damn gut and suck all the wind right outta me.
“Would if I could. Give you it all.” I drop my hand and peer into her eyes seeing the flecks of color brighter than before. “You gonna stop being a brat?”
“I think we both know that’ll never happen.”
“Right. You good?”
“No, but I will be.”
“Most girls your age don’t even know who they are, but not you. You’re a cut above the re
st.”
“I’m no one special. No one at all, but you treat me like I’m somebody.”
I climb back in the driver’s seat and drive back to Lily’s Hope.
“I’m glad you came back.” Anna welcomes Alexa with open arms. “We’re about to start on lunch, you can give us a hand in the kitchen.”
“Later, pretty girl.” I shoot her a wink as Anna steers her inside with her bag slung over her shoulder. It’s better this way.
The second the door shuts behind them Lily is up in my face. “What are you doing with this girl, James? How old is she?”
“Don’t worry about it. I got it handled.”
“That’s what you said when I got into trouble and look where it got you.”
“Shit is different now. Don’t worry.”
“What about Ruthie and Ro?”
“Let me worry about it. Just look after Alexa for me. She doesn’t leave and no one is to know she’s here.”
“I don’t like this. The way she looks at you...you’re fucking her.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Just promise me that you won’t do anything stupid.”
“Promise,” I lie. It’s too little too late. I’ve already fucked up more times than I can’t count. I’m already going to hell, and I’ll gladly burn for the night I shared with Alexa. I know I’m a dirty bastard for what I’ve done, but I’ve only just begun. The body count is about to get a lot higher. I made a promise to Alexa, and I won’t let her down. Todd is going to pay.
“Love you, James.” Lily wraps an arm around me, and I kiss her temple.
“You worry too damn much.” I run my finger along the scar on her left cheek. Yeah, I’d kill that fuck and serve my time all over again for the shit he did to my sister. You wouldn’t know the shit she’s been through just by looking at her. The sick fuck nearly killed her. Beat her so damn bad it’s a miracle she’s here today.
Took three reconstructive surgeries to repair the bones he broke in her face. I killed him for it, but he still got off easy. Todd won’t get that same courtesy. His death will be slow and painful. I was sloppy the last time. I won’t make that mistake this time around.
**
I lift the punk motherfucker’s head up as blood seeps between his lips. “How long you been working for Lion?”
Mustering a weak smile, he spits a mouthful of blood at me. “What’s it matter? I’m dead anyway. Did she tell you how she screamed out your name when I fucked her?” A gurgled laugh erupts in his throat.
“No but I’ll be sure to tell her how you cried like a bitch when I cut your balls off. Get him up,” I tell Slick. This isn’t usually his thing, but right now I don’t trust anyone else. Not when I know Lion, my club Prez played a key part in assaulting Alexa. He’ll pay, but I gotta do it right. I’ve wanted the prick gone for years. It’s time to take him out and turn this club back around. Too many brothers are hooked on Cloud Nine and dying. Lion can’t see what he’s doing or he’s too damn greedy to care. I won’t sit back and watch him dig our graves. A man like him there’s only one way to take him out—by surprise and under everyone’s noses. It has to appear natural. Gotta beat him at his own damn game.