Page 43 of Silent Damage

Yep. She likes what she sees.

I waggle my brows at her and say, “You know you wanna see this in action, babe.”

I flex my arms to show off the guns.

I’m being a meathead right now, but I need money, and she’s my collateral.

Our eyes meet, and she sighs. “Why do I have such awful taste in men?”

I chuckle, then turn back to the guy. “Let’s do this. Fifty for the winner. My lady friend, over here, has the money.”

Sammy, the bartender, screams, “You really gonna give those fellas fifty bucks to whoop that kid’s ass, Angelique?”

Angelique shoots me a sly look and then smiles. “I don’t know. I think he’s got the fire in him,” she replies, never taking her eyes off me.

I turn back to Bandanna Joe. “Let’s do this.”

He looks at his friends, and they nod their approval. “Whoop his ass, Fred.”

Fred…nah. He’s Bandanna Joe from now on. BJ for short.

BJ… Hahahaha!

Blowjob!

That’s his new name. Blowjob faces me with his shoulders squared, trying to look intimidating. He’s not.

He gets right in my face and says, “Looks like I’m buyin’ the next round, boys.”

We make our way to the side door and spill out into the alley. It’s cooler now, and the breeze tickles my skin.

I arch back and stare up at the moon.

I’ve always loved the moon.

I stretch my arms, basking under its glow, and take a deep breath.

“Hey, jerk-off. Let’s fuckin’ do this,” Blowjob screams.

I shoot him a surprised look. “Blowjob’s got nicknames, too?”

“What did you call me?”

I inch a little closer and say, “Blowjob,” elongating each vowel sound.

“Why, you little—” He lunges forward, and I let him get the first swing in.

His fist cracks against my face, and my vision blurs for a second.

Good.

I needed one good pop to get my head on straight.

He bounces back and forth on his feet like he knows what he’s doing, and a jolt of energy surges through me—nothing gets me going like a good fist fight.

I crack my neck and motion for him to come and get me. He lunges forward again, but this time, I throw a left jab right to his head. He hits the ground like a brick, and I pounce, beating the hell out of him.

His friends run over, screaming and cursing.