Page 58 of Never His Girl
Hell, it’d be quicker to list whatisn’tfucked up.
“I have the footage, sir,” Nelson says, rushing to my dad’s side with a tablet in hand. He hits play and the four of us—me, Vin, Dane, and Sterling—all lean in to watch.
First, there’s nothing to see but my once pristine car and flawless paintjob. Then, two bodies rush into the frame. Both dressed in black hoodies, one in black yoga pants to match, the other in sweats. The one with the tight fabric hugging a remarkably familiar ass, wields a pink softball bat, making the first dent in my hood.
I’m breathing heavy now, coming into the realization of whose handiwork this is. Glancing toward Dane and Sterling, they’re already eyeing me. There’s no need to question whether they’ve reached the same conclusion.
This was fucking Southside. She didn’t work alone, either. Seeing the wild, dark hair of the other guilty party, I’m guessing she called Rodriguez in for reinforcement.
Both keep their hoods up and they’re also careful not to look toward the camera, but I’ve watched Southside so long, her every move, I don’t even need to see her face.
What the fuck’s gotten into her crazy ass?
“I pay you well. Do I not, Nelson?” Vin asks a little too calmly.
“Yes, sir,” Nelson stammers.
Vin nods. “And you’re one job is to secure this fucking parking structure so shit like this doesn’t happen. Is that right?”
Nelson’s face is red as hell now, but he nods like he’snotabout to piss himself. “Yes, sir.”
“Yet… your worthless ass let a couple bitches slip in under your nose and beat the shit out of my son’s car,” Vin seethes. “Nice work.Verynice work.”
“I’m sorry, sir. I—”
“Where the fuck are the cops?”
Nelson just about jumps out of his shoes when Vin snaps at him.
“You told me to always call you first when things happen out here, so I… I haven’t reached out to them yet. Should I do that now, sir?”
Vin’s jaw ticks with rage and he slices a furious look toward Nelson. A look that answers that last question.
“Yes, sir. Right away, sir.”
As soon as Nelson turns to grab the phone from his booth, I speak up.
“No, not the cops. Just a tow truck.”
Vin’s wrath is onmenow, and I practically feel the heat of hell rolling off the man.
“What thefuckdo you mean‘not the cops’? Have you lost what was left of your mind?”
I meet his gaze, aware of this being the most we’ve spoken in weeks.
“The car’s in my name and I said no cops.”
We stare one another down and I know he saw the same thing I did. A tall blonde we both know has a long list of reasons why she could’ve vandalized my car tonight. Even if I don’t know what I’ve done recently that pissed her off, but that’s a whole other conversation. A conversation I intend to have about thirty minutes from now.
“You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me,” Vin scoffs, huffing with an incredulous laugh as he takes a step back. “Have you seriously gotten this weak? That you’d let somebitchsmash up your whole damn car and get away with it?”
Nelson looks more nervous now than when it’d beenhimon the hotseat.
Vin, on the other hand, looks disgusted. Like the only reaction any son of his should have is to fly off the handle in a rage. Sort of howhe’dhandle it. Only, I’m not him. At least, I hope I’m not.
“I can’t even stand to look at you right now,” he says scornfully. “I didn’t raiseanyof my boys to be doormats. You’re kings in this damn city. That’s the legacy I handed all three of you on a fucking platter. Maybe, one day, you’ll start acting like one again, West.”
He casts a disappointed glare my way that has both my hands knotting into fists. I want to swing on him. More than usual. It isn’t until my brothers step up, flanking me at either side, that I’m reminded they’re in this with me.