Page 115 of Forever Golden
“And she’s protecting us,” I add with a nod. “She gave us an invitation to DM her, so I took her up on that and this is what she sent back.”
Southside’s speechless, but I’m aware of being on borrowed time. “Will your uncle let you take a break?”
She glances toward Dusty again and it isn’t surprising that he’s already watching us. Pretty sure my name is mud in this place, seeing as how the last impression I left on the guy was that I defiled his niece in a sex tape that has since gone viral. So, I can only imagine what he’s thinking right now.
“It’s slow. He won’t mind,” she answers.
We slip into a booth and it’s been weeks since we’ve been together in public. I reach for her hands across the table, and she meets my gaze.
“Are you okay?”
The question has her tearing up, on the verge of crying like she’d done when I first got her call little more than half an hour ago.
“I’ll live.”
That answer isn’t nearly good enough. Actually, it has me even more enraged than I already was. All because it serves as proof that Vin’s winning and we’re all miserable as hell because of it.
“We can’t keep doing this. I know we had a plan, but something has to give. If that asshole stopping in here tells us anything, it’s that nothing we do will ever be enough. Vin will trample anything—oranyone—standing between him and what he wants. We’re sitting ducks,” I point out. “He can do whatever the fuck he wants, and our best option so far has been to look like we’re marching to the beat of his damn drum. I’m fucking sick of it.”
She doesn’t speak, because she knows I’m right.
“I can’t just… not do anything,” I conclude. “We’re sitting around, waiting for a smoking gun we’re not even sure exists. Meanwhile, he’s tightening his plans, gaining power, gathering allies to vouch for his scheming ass, and soon there won’t be a damn thing we can do about it.”
When I finish speaking, I’m practically panting, thinking about how deep we’re in over our heads. Ricky made an offer weeks ago and it’s been going through my mind a lot lately. It’s made me wonder if the only way to save the lives of those around me is for Vin’s to end. He’s gone off the deep end and it feels like we’re fighting a losing battle. One that now calls for us to do something drastic.
“You’re leaving?” Southside asks, peering up when I stand.
“I’ve got something to take care of, but I’ll call when it’s done.”
Concern marks her expression. “West.”
I turn when my name’s called and she’s on her feet now, stepping closer. She takes my hand and my gaze shifts there as our fingers lace together.
“Promise me you’re not about to do anything dangerous.”
I’ve never lied to this girl. Not since she’s been mine. Not since I admitted to loving her. And as easy as it would be to tell her what she wants to hear right now, dishonesty doesn’t feel like an option.
She’s trembling when I kiss her forehead, letting my hand linger on her cheek. “I’ll call.”
With that, I leave and head back toward my car, but my phone’s already in hand. I’m dialing a number that’s been in my call log more than I ever imagined it would be. A few seconds later, Ricky answers and I know exactly why my first instinct was to call him in particular.
Because if there’s anyone who’s going to match my anger, be down to fuck Vin’s shit up as much as I am, it’s Ricky Ruiz.
“What’s up?”
“We’ve got a problem. It’s about Blue.”
“The pier. Fifteen minutes.”
Chapter 44
RICKY
Typically, news of a bruised wrist isn’t enough to have me grabbing heat and storming into my uncle’s office, but it was tonight. I’ve got no clue who showed up at Blue’s job earlier, throwing around threats and shit, but I sure as hell intend to find out.
As Paul stares me down from across his desk, I don’t think I’ve ever trusted him less.
“To what do I owe the pleasure, nephew?”