Insolent (Crimson Elite 4)

He pours another. “Oh, trust me, I do. Especially if it has to do with any of the boys from that place. They’re like walking, talking, sex machines. You can see why their business thrives.”

I nod my head. “And assholes,” I say sitting up on the stool next to him.

“That’s right… you and Darby. What’s happening there? Tell me more.”

“Nothing to tell. Now you’re back, I guess I don’t have to see him again.”

He shakes his head. “Oh, no you don’t, you can’t hold back from me like that.”

“I’m going to stay in the city, though, run some accounts for my father from here,” I say changing the subject.

He claps his hands excitedly and pours another drink. “Now that’s awesome news, but I know what you’re doing. So tell me what’s really happening.”

I shrug my shoulders. “Nothing. I won’t see him again.”

He leans in close, his face inches from mine. “What really happened?”

“He was cruel, so fucking cruel,” I blurt out. Taking the bottle, I drink straight from it. The strong, clear liquid will help me, right?

“What did he do?”

“He tried to lock me in the dark.”

His eyes go wild. “He knows?”

I shake my head. “Pieces, but still… he knows I’m afraid of the dark.”

“That fucking bastard, where’s your phone?”

I point to where it is but then say, “Hold on, why?”

“Because someone needs to tell him off for his actions, he can’t go around doing that.” He unlocks my phone and starts keying in the number before I can stop him.

“Don’t Johnny, it will just make matters worse.”

He sucks in his bottom lip in deep thought as he types fast, his fingers sliding against the keypad of my phone. I get up when he doesn’t respond and reach for my phone. I hear the obvious sound of a message sent. He hands it to me and walks back to the bar. I put it in my pocket, not even caring what he’s sent, then my phone starts ringing. We both freeze, and my hand hovers over it in my pocket.

“Maybe you shouldn’t answer that.”

“What did you send?”

He bites his lip hard and looks down. “Just that he should jump from the closest cliff.”

“And…” I know there is more.

He reaches for the bottle as the phone stops and starts again. “Tequila?” he asks before he takes a sip for himself.

The ringing dies off, and then my phone bings, letting me know I have a message, then another message. Then it rings again.

“Oh fuck, turn it off or something.”

I pass him the phone that won’t shut up, and he does just that, placing it on the countertop before he finishes off the bottle of tequila.A loud bang pulls me from my sleep. The lights are still on, and my head is on the wooden flooring with drool coming from my mouth.

Shit! Did I pass out?

I sit up and see Johnny is in no better position, not even moving to the noise of the banging. Gosh, he would be of no help if we were to be home invaded right now.

“Olympia…” I jump on the spot where I sit on the floor, checking around for my phone. I spot it not far from me. Reaching for it, I see it’s off. Quickly I turn it on in case I need to call for security and a message starts to appear.

Then I remember Johnny sent him a message.

Scrolling up I see it.

My heart skips a beat.

Me: You lowlife piece of scum. Who do you think you are? Don’t ever talk to me again you piece of shit.

I didn’t send that.

Fuck.

Fuck.

That’s mean, I didn’t say that.

He repeats my name at the door again, while banging on it, and I cringe. I should kick Johnny awake, but he lies in his spot snoring, blissfully unaware as to what’s going on around him. I attempt to stand, my head hurts, and I regret the action the minute I do it.

“Olympia, don’t make me kick this door in. I can hear you swearing to yourself in there.”

Fuck.

I reach for the glass of water on the bench, drink it, then walk to the door. My hands shake as I unlock it, and the minute I do, the door is pushed open and wild eyes are staring back at me. It’s almost like he’s possessed. Those same wild eyes lock onto me, and his hand reaches out capturing my arm.

“You think you can send that and not speak to me after?”

“Ah, big man, back the fuck up.”

His lip twitches in anger. No happiness there whatsoever. “I’m scum, is that what you think?”

I cringe at the words Johnny used, and look behind me to see him still sleeping.

How is that even possible?

“You have another man here, what the actual fuck.” His hand leaves mine and he walks toward Johnny. When he sees it’s him, he shakes his head and comes back to me. “Bedroom, now.”