“Do it,” Killian tells her.
She smirks. “Yeah?”
“Be my guest,” Killian invites, gesturing toward Ray, as if we’re his guests and not in my living room. “After what he just called you, seems to me he’s given you a reason.”
I twist the other way, unable to watch as I hear the crackle sound of my bestie zapping him, then the thud with Ray making a howling sound.
Susanna steps into my periphery. “Call you later,” she winks. “Love you.” She leans over and drops a kiss on my cheek while squeezing my shoulder reassuringly. Her eyes are dancing.
I stare in shock as she goes, trying really hard to not look at Ray who’s on the floor, making a horrible sound of pain.
“Get your things, Violet,” Killian instructs. “Whatever is most important to you and what you’ll need for the next two weeks.”
I blink stupidly. I want to speak up and say that if he could simply ask Ray to leave it’d solve all my problems and I’d be forever grateful, because I was trying to break up with him prior to Killian coming, but for some reason, I can’t find a single word.
He approaches me, then lifts me off the table by my hips and gently sets me down on my feet.
I stare up into his green eyes. His expression is serious. Very. He fingers a curl beside my temple and looks deep into my eyes. “I can’t stand here much longer fighting the urge to do bodily harm to him so help me out by hurrying, okay?”
“Okay,” I mouth and then hurry toward my bedroom to start packing, not sparing Ray a glance on my way there.
***
Killian stares at the two big trash bags I’ve dragged into the hall and gives me an inquisitive look.
“He took my suitcase to Atlantic City and I don’t know where it is.”
I’ve been in a daze while I threw most of my clothes and shoes into the bags.
He flexes his jaw and glares at Ray. “You lose her suitcase?”
“Yeah,” Ray says, staring at the floor.
“I need my bathroom stuff.”
“Go ahead,” Killian jerks his chin.
I hurry into the bathroom and start filling a duffle bag with my bathroom stuff, then carry it out with my purse and stop dead, spine tingling. I drop my bags before heading to the kitchen where I open a drawer and fetch that pawn ticket for my jewelry. My hands are shaking as I lift it from the drawer.
Killian tracks me this whole time. I feel his eyes on me. I’m about to slip it into my purse when he reaches out a hand.
“Let me see?”
I bite my lip and he gently takes it from me. As he studies it, his eyes move to Ray and then back to me inquisitively before he hands it back. I stuff it in my purse.
“Uh, Killian?” I call out.
His eyes come back to me.
“Is this … me going with you… really necessary? I mean, I can…”
Ray looks up at me with hope.
My eyes meet his and I look away quickly.
“Eyes to the fucking floor,” Killian snaps at him and then the anger melts away when his eyes bounce back to me. “Yeah, baby. It is.”
I don’t know how to respond to that, so I just say, “Oh.”
“Take that bag and your purse and wait in my car.” Killian hands me his keys. “I’ll bring your other things.”
I stare at the keys.
“Don’t worry,” he adds.
“You’re not gonna hurt him, are you?” I whisper.
“Not right now,” he says, coldly.
“Violet,” Ray croaks out from the floor where he sits between the coffee table and the couch. “I love you. I’m gonna fix this. I’m so fucking sorry.”
“Shut the fuck up,” Killian shouts. “Eyes off her, Ass-wipe. I told you, the next two weeks, she’s not yours. She’s mine. Take your eyes off what’s mine before I put a bullet in your forehead.”
Ray closes his eyes and stares at the floor, looking defeated.
I rush out of the apartment and woodenly press the elevator button.
And then I’m blinking at the steel doors, listening to the elevator coming up to get me. Coming up to take me away from Ray for the next two weeks. Is this real? Did that just happen?
11
Killian
“I mean it. You stay away from her. You spend your focus coming up with that money. Do not piss me off further, Iadanza.”
“I’ll find it,” he promises. “I’m sorry, man. I shoulda told you that gig wasn’t a good fit for me. The devil on my shoulder, Kill…”
“It’s your devil, not mine, so not my problem,” I say and lift the bags filled with Violet’s clothes. “Two weeks max - you show up with my money including the juice, no excuses.”
He stares but it’s not blankly. His eyes are active and the vibe coming off him is not good.
I jerk up my chin. “What?”
“What if I can’t. You’d hurt her?”
His eyes are wild with fear. And I want to punch the fucker out. Piece of shit. “You love this girl?”
“I really do, man. Don’t fuckin’ hurt her, please. Please, Kill,” he cries.
Stupid, weak fuck.
“You think I’d hurt a sweet, beautiful girl like that?” I ask.
He looks away and sniffles like a snot-nose kid.
“You think I would,” I state.
“I know we go way back, but just… please … don’t. She’s a good girl. It’s not her fault I’m …” he trails off.
“A loser?”
He flinches.
“Yeah, I can tell she’s too good for you, that’s pretty fuckin’ obvious.”
He nods. “She is. Way too good for me. But she loves me in spite of it.”
Self-deprecation isn’t a redeeming quality in my eyes. I had no respect for this little fuck coming into this and now he’s sunk even lower in my estimation.
“I can think of a lot of things I’d like to do with a girl like that,” I muse and then smile. “Hurtin’ her ain’t top of the list. What if I fuck her? How you gonna feel about that?”
His face twists with agony. “Don’t.” His mouth contorts.
“Tell you what. We’ll talk soon. You let me know how things’re goin’ with your efforts to get me my money. Maybe I’ll knock off a few bucks every time I fuck her. Believe me, though, you come near her before you have my permission, or fuck with her friend, her job, or anyone or anything she cares about, I’ll fuck with you.”
He puts his head down.
“You flexed with me three years ago that she gave world class head, right?”
His shoulders slump further, and he shuts his eyes, pain slashing across his features.
“So she does? I bet she does. Maybe that’s one thing outta your mouth that hasn’t been bullshit. And if she’s as sweet a lay as you say, maybe I’ll keep her. Chances are, you’re not coming up with that cash, right?”
He glares at me and his back goes straight.
Maybe he has some balls left after all.
“You’ll get your money, Kill.”
I snicker. “I’m not a piece of shit, man. The only way I’ll lay my hands, tongue, or cock on that girl is if she wants me to. You bring my money the day it’s due, though, or you won’t like what happens.”