AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER EIGHT
___________________________
DUN-DUN
OPHELIA
JUDGE’S MOUTH OPENED then snapped shut before opening again. “You know I wasn’t—”
“Hey,” I interrupted, holding my hands up, “what you and your condiments do in the privacy of your kitchen is your own business.”
He grinned—transforming his face into a sexy masterpiece—and I couldn’t hold back my own. His eyes dropped to my mouth, and his smile fell as his eyes grew hooded. “Fuckin’ boom.”
“What?”
“Nothin’.” Leaning back, he shoved a bite of waffle into his mouth. “Eat, then we gotta talk.”
Even though his words killed my appetite, I still did as he said. I was glad I did because the waffles were the best I’d ever had and wasting them would be a crime against food.
As I ate, I tried to reprimand myself for letting my guard down—again. I tried to tell myself that he was dangerous. I tried to remember all the whys and hows of the fucked up-ness of the situation.
I desperately needed to build my walls back up or I’d fall right into the black hole of too-stupid-to-live.
Once our plates were cleared and Judge had refilled my coffee, he slouched back in his chair. “If I pull you back onto my lap—”
“I’ve always wondered if nipples could be twisted,” I made a pop noise, “right off.”
“Figured.” Crossing his legs so one of his shitkickers rested on his knee, he rubbed his jaw. “I’m tellin’ you all I can ‘cause some of this isn’t my story to tell. And I’m trusting you won’t go to the cops, but also that you won’t Nancy Drew it and get yourself pulled in any deeper. These aren’t men who’re gonna admire your give ‘em hell attitude. You don’t wanna be on their radar.”
Apprehension filled my stomach, but curiosity had me clutching my coffee cup and leaning forward like I was about to listen to an epic audiobook.
Something told me that wasn’t far off.
“This shit is confusing, so tell me if I lose you. Remember when Nox asked if you knew a man named Nash?” At my nod, he said, “He’s a nasty motherfucker who owns clubs—strip and otherwise—and uses them to run guns, drugs, and women. He used to be just a pain in the ass, but then he got greedy. Then, thanks to high-ups with a taste for his drugs, women, or both, he got cocky and thought he was invincible.”
Wow. This is like The Wire or Law and Order.
“He made moves a while back that blew up in his face and had…” He hesitated. “It got him some attention. We thought he’d smartened up, but then there were whispers about him teaming up with the Irish mob.”
And The Sopranos.
“I know Providence has a strong,” I automatically lowered my voice to whisper, “mob presence, but I didn’t know there was a big one here.”
Judge chuckled, his cream soda eyes filled with amusement at my expense. “It’s okay, they’re not gonna hear you.”
I would’ve flipped him off, but I didn’t want to delay the true crimes story he was weaving.
“Italians fly under the radar and run protection, though they’ll fuck shit up if pressed. Irish are always crazy, out in the open, and up for anything. They were happy to team up with Nash and were planning to go after a rival strip club. But the Irish also have big mouths, so word got out before it could go down.”
Thinking about the conversation the night before, I asked, “Does Nox own the other club?”
“No.”
“Is he involved in this?”
“Yes.”
I scowled in frustration. “Is this part of the story that’s not yours to tell?”
