“She’s fucking dead.” My eyes slowly lifted from the couch to his shocked face, “I can take you to her grave if you want.” Though, I’d much rather bury him in the same dark hole.
There was a moment of stunned silence, where I could see the reality of the situation register on his face. His open mouth morphed into a tight-lipped frown as his wide eyes narrowed in a hateful glare.
“I knew you’d get her killed.”
“I got her killed?” My gun was back up before the last word left his mouth. “You best take a look in the mirror, asshole.”
Apparently, Sam’s stubbornness was a family trait because Derek didn’t back down. He pulled his pistol and charged forward.
“I’m not the criminal here.”
I shook my head and snickered, “You think criminals are the only ones with blood on their hands.”
In my experience, cops were the worst kind of criminal. They used the power of a badge to mask the shady shit they did. At least I was upfront about it. The world knew who I was.
“Don’t put this shit on me,” Derek’s rage was showing. Arm shaking as he thrust his pistol closer.
Good. I hoped he pulled the trigger.
Give me one reason motherfucker.
“Did you even read the letter she sent you?” I reached in my pocket and tossed an unopened letter at his feet. “Or did you just send it back?”
Derek’s brow cocked down at the letter. I knew what was in it because I encouraged Sam to write the fucking thing. When we found out she was pregnant, I suggested she move to Mayberry with her brother, where she’d be safer. Ashen Springs was only three hours away. I could still run the club and come home to my wife when shit didn’t need my attention. Bought a place down here and everything. And then her letter came back with three words written on it.
Return to sender.
Whatever Derek was about to say was cut off when Tanner pressed the barrel of his 9mm to the back of his head. Tanner might look like a scrawny little shit that couldn’t hold his own, but the cold look in his eyes said the opposite. Death was nothing to this kid.
“You want me to kill him, boss?”
Derek’s eyes locked with mine as a grin spread across my face.
Chapter 1
Naomi
One year ago:
My lip curled as I followed Logan in the small building. There were plenty of other tattoo parlors to pick from. Like say in Miami. This town wasn’t known for artistic enterprise, and the ink marking Ashen Spring’s playboy weren’t anything to scoff at. Then again, when it came to Logan Hudson, a child could clumsily etch something on his skin, and he’d still look good. Still, the tattoo junkie didn’t have to drag me along with him. My time was precious.
Huffing, I crossed my arms and eyed the brick exterior of Mather’s Tattooing. Knew I should’ve went with Sean. He might’ve expected a little something extra–most quarterback’s were sex-crazed douches–but at least I wouldn’t be here.
Logan waggled his eyebrows and held the door open, “After you, sweetheart.”
“Why are we here?” I sneered at the sparkle in his green eyes and walked in.
Two steps in, I sighed and rolled my eyes.Things just keep getting better.
Sitting behind the counter next to Mason Kessler was Riley Adams. Her deep blue eyes narrowed in hatred as her lip curled, making me scoff.
Don’t worry, honey, the feelings mutual.
“Wanna check it out,” Logan explained while shooting Riley a look. “My sister neglected to tell me she works at a tattoo parlor.”
Sister, pfft. Please. Just because their parents were married did not make her his sister. It annoyed me that Logan would even give her that title. His family came from old money, owned one of the most successful avionics engineering companies across the globe. Know what Riley Adams had? A record and a bad attitude. Hudson Avionics had contracts with the military, while Riley painted stupid pictures on buildings in the dark.
“Fucking finally,” Mason grumbled to himself and gathered his bag. “I thought this day would never end.”
