AllFreeNovel
Share Us
And what did it earn me?
Fame, fortune, and one hell of a fucking anxiety disorder.
And yet, since the day I slipped into this role, I haven’t had a single panic attack. Even in the wake of my sister’s assault, there were some close calls, but it never got to that point.
Why?
Because the life I now lead grants me damn near complete control of everything around me.
My business.
My men.
My rules.
You make a fucking move in my city? You better have my approval to do so. And should you break one of my laws? I decide your fate. My world comes with order and stability. My world makes sense. And after experiencing such a thing, there’s just no way I could ever go back to the shitshow I was barely treading water in beforehand.
My phone lights up on the table in front of me, drawing my gaze to JP’s name on the screen. I left him behind so he could keep watch over J and Daph at the senior bonfire tonight, and he’s been sending steady mundane updates throughout the night.
However, the first line of the text previews across my screen, and I barely make it through the fourth word before I’m snatching the device off the table and excusing myself from the discussion.
“I apologize. I have to take this.”
Rico gapes at me as I push back in my chair, muttering additional apologies before trailing me from the room. He hisses my name several times, though I barely register his presence as my tightening grip threatens to crack my cell.
JP: DAPH GAVE SOME GUY A LAP DANCE. I’M CALLING IT. WE’RE HEADING HOME.
ME: EXPLAIN. NOW.
JP: IT’S DAPH. NOBODY TELLS HER WHAT TO DO.
ME: YOU DO, JP! HENCE, BABYSITTING DUTY!!!
JP: DON’T TEXT SHOUT AT ME. I’LL TELL YA WHERE TO SHOVE THEM EXCLAMATION POINTS.
ME: DO YOUR FUCKING JOB AND I WON’T HAVE TO YELL AT YOU.
JP: DAMN, BRO. YOU KNOW WHAT? I’LL TEXT YOU WHEN THE GIRLS ARE HOME SAFE. BEYOND THAT, THIS CONVO IS OVER. DAPH’S RIGHT. YOU GOT A PROBLEM? YOU CAN COME DOWN HERE AND HANDLE IT YOURSELF.
ME: YOU ARE NOT TO LEAVE JONES UNPROTECTED IN THE HOUSE.
JP: FUCKING OBVIOUSLY.
JP: PS. I ONLY ANSWERED THAT BECAUSE IT PERTAINED TO J. NOT BECAUSE YOU THINK I ANSWER TO YOU.
“Nick!” Rico shoves my shoulder from behind, causing me to almost drop my phone.
“What?!” I snarl.
His brows arch with surprise before furrowing in anger. “What the fuck is the matter with you? These are not men you leave waiting.”
“They’ll wait as long as I need them to. I’m talking to JP.”
Rico’s hard exterior falters, instantly morphing into genuine concern. “Are the girls okay? Where’s J?” He snatches the phone, quickly skimming the messages.
“Yo!” I bite out, retrieving my cell from his grasp. “What is it with everyone forgetting their place today?”
“Are you kidding me?!” His hands thrust forward, connecting square in my chest and sending me stumbling backward. “I’m gonna need you to tell me when the fuck you started dipping into the supply, because I know there ain’t no motherfucking way you just spewed that shit at me sober.”
