Speaking of meant to be, I look at the text I sent to Roni earlier. She hasn’t replied. A part of me says I freaked her out.
At the same time, I want to think it’s something else. It’s time we talk about our relationship. At thirty-one, I’m watching all of my brothers settle with the women they love.
Wyatt’s on his second baby. Toby’s twins are growing so fast. I’m sure Noah will have Bean pregnant in no time. Felix is engaged and has an instant family. Hell, I never in a million years thought Brax would be married before me. Ryan is the only one not in a relationship.
I go to call Roni again, but my emergency text alert goes off. It’s a text from Wyatt that Noah is in trouble. I jump up without thinking and head out the door.
My adrenaline is pumping. I still don’t know what’s going on with Roni and Torque. I have an uneasy feeling in my stomach.
“I knew it was too quiet. Roni, where the fuck are you?” I mutter as I jump in my car.
Roni
I pull into the lower level of the garage and come to a screeching stop. Torque already has his laptop open with a visual of the chaos happening on the upper level. I’m seething. The drive back took way longer than I would have liked.
“They’ve ceased fire,” Torque says.
I look over at the screen. My sights are set on one person and one person only. When she comes up on the screen, I’m in motion again. I drive up a few more levels before whipping into a spot.
“That phone is her all right.”
“Stay here,” I say as I take the comm Torque offers me.
“I can help.”
“I said stay here. I’ve got this.”
I shove my way out of the car and look around the level that I’m on. An idea pops into my head and I start for the trunk to get the harness out. I plan to drop in on my little friend Missy.
I take a blade from the stash I have in the trunk and tear it through the fabric of the bottom of my sundress, then rip the entire thing off. Once geared up in the harness, I take off in a jog for the level they are on.
“John’s up there. All the guys are,” Torque says into the comm.
“Almost there.”
I get to the garage level where the action is happening and take a quick look around. It’s exactly like the level I parked on. I spot a ladder that leads to the rafters and head for it, my gun aimed for anyone that dares to get into my way.
Once at the ladder, I tuck my gun away and start the climb. I can hear that whiny ass voice from here. Ugh, I don’t know what John saw in her.
Moving into the shadows, I inch forward slowly. Everyone’s too distracted to notice me up here. I tune out their chatter and keep my focus on the blabbering idiot that has been taunting me for weeks.
I’m almost right above their heads as I vaguely dial into their conversation.
“I don’t know. I didn’t think that out. If I can’t have you no one can,” Missy says, causing my blood to boil. “Mr. Coleman promised me one million dollars if I could get you all here. I wasn’t sure you would all come for John’s little friend, so I brought this guy in once I saw what he was up to.”
“Interesting,” Wyatt says.
Noah turns to Wyatt and shakes his head. “I told you. Stupid… dumbest plan ever.”
“Listen, she promised me half of the money. You’ve made my life hell. I had nothing to lose. Just leave me the hell alone and we’ll all walk away like nothing ever happened,” the guy holding Bean says. He looks like he’s about to shit his pants.
“I don’t think you have that option any longer,” Noah says menacingly. “Isn’t that right, baby?”
“Absolutely.”
“Where is Coleman?” John asks.
They are working this in my favor. The more they talk the closer I get. I want to be up close and personal when I drop this bitch once and for all.
“I don’t know. He said he was leaving the country for a while. Once I call him, he is going to wire our money,” Missy huffs.
A few of the guys begin to laugh at her reply to John’s question and her stupid plan. “Don’t laugh at me. You’re all always laughing at me. John you just give me the money. Five hundred thousand and I’ll walk away.”
“Or what?” Wyatt asks.
“Or I’ll kill myself,” Missy and John recite the words at the same time.
“Oh, my God,” Bean gasps. “That’s what she’s been holding over you all these years?”
John shrugs and frowns. “Sadly, among other things.”
“I will, you know I will,” Missy whines.
This is it. I’m in position. I quickly hook up my harness, pull my gun, and release the feed to zip down right in front of Missy. She never sees me coming.
I hold my gun out and aim for her head. “No need,” I say and pull the trigger.
I told her I was going to drop her ass on sight. My job is done. I don’t even care to watch her fall. I’m mildly amused by Bean as she takes out the asshole that had a gun to her head. I already know I’m not the only badass around here.
“I found Roni,” Ryan says dryly.
Braxton claps his hands. “I love the women in this family.”
“Roni.” John sighs.
I look at him and drop down onto my feet, then unhook as if nothing has happened at all. “She’s been threatening me for weeks.” I shrug.
“And you didn’t think to tell me,” John says, his tone telling me he’s pissed off at me.
I wrinkle my brows in confusion and shrug again. “Why?” I ask.
John throws his arms in the air in exasperation. He then points at me. “You. Let’s go. We’re having the talk… tonight. I’m not doing this anymore.”
The talk. Oh yeah, this has been a long time coming. I definitely can’t use Missy as an excuse anymore. It’s time we face the music.
“Is that an order, Johnathan,” I say, knowing it’s going to rev him up some more.
John bares his teeth. “Yes, Roni it is,” he growls.
“Whatever you say, Boss.” I walk over to him with some extra sway in my hips.
From the energy surrounding us, I know the game has changed. Our relationship is about to take a complete turn. For once, I think I’m ready for it too.
Chapter 51
Boss
Roni
The ride to John’s has been silent. I’m still stewing that he forced me to let Torque drive my car home. I hadn’t expected John to bring me back to his house. I thought we were all heading to the apartment.
Now we’re pulling through his gate and into the courtyard, I have some idea why we’re not at my place and why he sent Torque home in my car. This knowledge makes me more nervous than I’ve ever been, but I refuse to let it show. At least, I think I’m not allowing it to spill through.
Without a word, John gets out of the car. I step out without waiting for him to make it around to my side. When I close the door, he’s standing at the hood of the car with his back to me, a hand on his hip and his head bent.
I draw my brows. Is he really that angry with me? Like, come on. That chick was getting on my fucking nerves. I sigh and move to his side.