“Well, you haven’t yet,” she challenges.
She’s right. I haven’t. Not even been tempted. Why would I? I have my perfect woman right here, waiting for me.
“I love you.”
I shake my head. “You don’t even know what love is.” Picking up my Glock, I tuck it into the back of my jeans.
“No. That’s where you’re wrong. I do know what love is, and it wouldn’t matter if I was twenty or thirty-three.” She sneers the thirty-three. “I love you, and not even you can take that from me.”
I snort. “Give yourself time, baby. You’ll be amazed at how fast you can hate me.” Grabbing my keys, I leave her, not wanting any of this. It’s not what I do.
I text Rip that I’m on my way and head downstairs. He’s probably already at the dispensary. That particular store is one of our most popular ones and Jade, our manager, is pissed that she’s been sitting on over $200,000 in cash in the safe. I should have gotten it yesterday, but with the Benny shit, I didn’t get to it.
Kicking open the screen door, I don’t bother with coffee. Quite frankly, I can’t handle seeing Amy’s wise eyes. She’ll know instantly and I don’t want any questions.
“Axel.” I almost groan—it’s Ryder and he can be worse than Amy. He’s talking with some prospects.
“I’m late,” I grumble.
“Two minutes.” He nods at the prospects and walks over as I get on my bike, trying not to punch my best friend.
I hold up my hand. “Look. I’m not in the mood, so if you say you had a dream…”
“Nah. I had that dream a month ago.”
I snort in disgust and look down at my phone, hoping Ryder takes the hint. He doesn’t. I grind my teeth as I scan the numerous messages from Derrick. I’ll call him when I get to the dispensary. First I need to get away from Ryder’s judging eyes. I take a breath and pocket the phone, then look at him. “What’s up?”
“Just making sure Antoinette is here today.” His brown eyes bore into me as if he knows I’m in way over my head.
“Yeah, man. I need to get the cash out of the dispensary. Then I’ll be back.”
Ryder lights up a cigarette and his phone rings. I start my bike because I’m not waiting. How has my life exploded in a matter of hours? Thirty-three years of me being happy and content out the fucking window. My heart hurts, I’m angry, and I’m off my game, distracted by a pair of violet eyes.
I should feel better. Instead I’m flying on adrenaline.
I’m a liar.
I broke my own rule.
Never get attached.
Well, that went to shit. I’d say I’m attached and then some. More like obsessed.
Visions of her platinum hair wrapped around my tan hand, red lips, and that beauty mark I knew was gonna be my downfall run through my head.
The ride to the dispensary takes longer than usual with the fucking construction on Magnolia Boulevard, even with me zigzagging, daring someone to hit me. When I’m buzzed in to the dispensary at last, Jade and Rip sit at the counter laughing, waiting for me.
My dick vibrates with a text that I know will rip me apart.
Ryder: Antoinette just pulled up to the diner with Cindy. You said she was staying in your room.
My eyes blink at the phone. This is impossible. I can’t be reading this right. And then I fucking lose it and throw the phone against the wall. Jade screams and Rip looks up holding his hands out like that’s gonna calm me.
“Call Ryder,” I snarl. “Now.”
He pulls out his phone. “What’s happened?” he says, then gives me his phone.
“How the fuck did this happen? Where are you?” I yell, already out the door and heading to my bike. A man jogging by stops to look at me and runs faster.
“Watch it, Axel,” he says. “Shit is going down. I’m watching Charlie at the diner. The cops and fire department are at the Pussycat. Someone started a dumpster fire in the alley. Blade and David are having to deal with that mess.”
Cold dread slithers up my spine. It’s always like this when something bad is about to happen. Like ice water has been injected into my veins, I try to breathe.
“Ryder, don’t take your eyes off her. I’m on my way.” I hang up, beyond trying to be reasonable.
This is it. Benny dies today.ANTOINETTE“Thanks for taking me. I know you have plans today.” I wipe my tears away roughly as I slip on some black Ray Bans I stole from Axel’s dresser.
Cindy looks over at me. “No problem. It’s perfect. I’m meeting a guy for coffee down the street. Because that’s what you do these days. No lunch or dinner until you have coffee and make sure they look like their picture.” Her voice sounds happy, yet I suspect Cindy does a lot of crying in private. She’s way more sensitive than she lets on.