a Car

eded

of expensive cologne and cheap morality. It clung t

bathroom, intending to splash cold water o

he study was

rd vo

ut, low and tense. "Disrespecting her like that

x's voice cut in. It was arrogant, di

y chest. I pressed myself agains

said. "Did you see her

old, cruel sound that s

s is. She thinks she can freeze me out? Please.

ink of glass a

a little. She was getting too comfortable, too demanding. I'll play with Catalina for a few weeks, let E

h churned

like a dog," Ma

but property nonetheless. Once I break her spirit, sh

ped br

He was systematically trying to destroy my se

go to the

lked straight out the

neighborhood were safe only because everyone knew who

the streets felt cleaner th

in my knee a grounding rhythm. Le

ught he could kick me and I wo

My house was dark, my

a figure stand

lamp illum

a

had simply known where I wo

g a large, th

st my ribs. I recognize

Y

packet. The one Unc

at me. His expression was unreada

ing with a l

you doing

to the main secure mailbox at the

looming over me. "N

n't a

hat's the plan. I run the West Coa

our plan,

envelope against his thigh. "What is th

tepping onto the first step

anic in it. "You can't survive out there without me. Who'

e than eat from y

for the

nk this is a game? You think you can jus

. It's a federal offe

law here!"

, his ph

rd, then answered it without

through the speaker. "Jax! Baby! I think someone is fo

owed Outfit associates un

me. Then he lo

into my chest. I grab

t done,"

sing the damsel in distress over t

taillights fad

envelope. It was my

t we were

g. I was al