Page 88 of Hurts So Good

“What would Avery say if she found out her own father is the head of the O’Malley Irish Mafia from Boston, and you never told him he was a daddy?”

Knight took pleasure in the color draining from Debbie’s face. He looked up at Donovan and nodded, letting Donovan know he’d hit the nail on the head with his suspicion.

“I have no idea what you are talking about. I’ve never been to Boston or out of North Carolina in my life.”

“That’s two, Ms. Jones.” Donovan warned her before Knight could.

“Two what? You can’t touch me. I belong to Bruce Mackey! My daughter and I both do.” Debbie sniffed as she glared up at Knight and Donovan.

“Belong to? What the hell does that mean?” Avery asked, looking between her mother, Knight and Donovan.

Knight, Thomas and Donovan all burst into laughter. Knight had to admit Avery’s mother was entertaining.

Knight pulled out his phone and dialed a number Debbie couldn’t see. The whole time he was dialing, he stared Debbie down.

“Yo!”

“Mackey, it’s Knight. Do you have a Debbie and Emily Jones under your protection?”

“Um, yeah. Emily is my top earner on her back. Knows how to make a man’s toes curl. The mother though, she’s only good for her ass action. She’s the one we book for train action now and then. Why, you and Donovan looking for some action or something? Not like you boys.”

Knight had to look up at the sky and mentally count to ten before he could speak. His whole feature went stone cold at the same time Donovan’s did.

“She ever try to get you to go after her other daughter, Avery?”

“Now that’s a fine piece of ass. I know Emily was trying to set her up with a few of her regulars. Come to think of it, she set the sister up with Robbie. Promised him that the sister was a virgin, and he could do whatever he wanted to the girl. Robbie supposedly had plans to drug the sister and break her in nice and good before he sold her to some Mexican Cartel guy down in Mexico. Haven’t seen ole Robbie in a minute though.”

Knight went lethal. “Robbie’s dead. He laid hands on what’s mine. Donovan says to cut the mother loose. Do what you want with the daughter for now. The mother crossed the line. The daughter will be dealt with at a later date.”

Knight hung up the phone and nodded at Thomas. Thomas stepped forward and grabbed Debbie and escorted a suddenly mute woman from the premises.

“What’s going on Knight? What did he mean by what he said?” Avery asked, stepping up towards Knight, Delaney behind her.

“Meaning your mother allowed your sister to sell your virginity to the worst person on the planet. He had drugged your drink, the one you spilled on him. Had you taken a drink from it, he would have done what he wanted, and you wouldn’t have been able to fight him back. Donovan and I are taking out the trash.” Knight assured her as he pulled her towards him, his arms surrounding her.

“What are you guys doing here?” Avery murmured into his chest as she wrapped her arms around him.

Knight did what was surprisingly felt normal to him. He squeezed her closer and kissed the top of her head as he just held onto him a little while longer.

“I missed you. Donovan decided to have pity on me and agreed to let me out of my misery and come see you.”

“Aww, isn’t he sweet. Thank you, Donovan, for bringing Jeffrey to see me!” Avery winked over at Donovan as he patted Knight’s chest.

“Jeffrey?” Delaney and Donovan asked at the same time.

“Jeffrey Dahmer. Avery has a thing for calling people names of serial killers, horror movie villains or whatever comes to mind when she likes someone.” Mia laughed at the look on Donovan and Delaney’s faces.

“Makes so much sense now. I thought I was going to have to kill my brother when I saw another woman’s name on his phone.” Delaney admitted, glaring at Knight.

“Another woman’s name?” Avery asked in confusion.

“Yeah, you’re listed as Suzie Toller.” Delaney said in confusion as she looked between Avery and Knight.

“Ah, you do love me! I love her! I didn’t know you like ‘Wild Things’!” Avery preened up at Knight who winked at her.

“Well, you are a wild thing!” Knight laughed as he kissed Avery on the lips.

“Gag me with a spoon. Those two are totally made for each other!” Mia laughed as she rolled her eyes.