Page 14 of A Million To Fall

I react before I can think better of it.

“Get off her, you piece of shit!”

I grab Eddie’s shirt and yank him back. He barely moves, but at least he lets go of my mom.

One of the guys with a shaved head and a flag tattoo crawling up his neck steps forward. Eddie stops him with a hand up, then turns to me slowly, a grin on his face that doesn’t reach his eyes.

“You don’t want to butt in on this, boy.”

“Don’t fucking touch her.” My heart’s pounding so hard I can feel it in my teeth.

“Boston, please. Go back to bed, baby,” my mom whimpers. Her throat looks red and raw.

“You should listen to your mother, Boston,” Eddie snarls.

I don’t move. “And you should get the fuck out of this apartment.”

Eddie’s expression contorts like this is amusing and annoying at the same time. “Funny. Your mom always tells me how smart you are,” he says softly. “But you’re acting real fucking stupid.”

He steps in close, and, fuck, he reeks. Of whiskey and stale sweat.

My mom stretches a shaky hand out. “Boss. Baby, please.”

All I see are the red marks on her throat. And Eddie’s split-lipped, yellow-toothed grin.

I swing.

The second my fist connects with his jaw, I know I fucked up.

Callused hands clamp around my arms, two of Eddie’s guys yanking me back so hard my shoulders scream.

“Oh boy,” Eddie chuckles. “You really are stupid.”

He rubs his chin, contemplating me for a second, then slams his fist into my gut.

Pain detonates through me, sucking all the air from my body at once. I don’t have time to get my bearings before Eddie lands another hit. This time to my face, making my vision spark.

I try to twist free, but I don’t stand a chance against the roiders immobilizing me. I might as well be a damn coat on a hook.

Eddie smashes his fist into my mouth. Blood floods my tongue, thick and warm.

“Think you’re a big man, huh?” Eddie laughs like he’s having a great fucking time. “Trying to play hero for your mommy?”

My knees buckle with his next punch to my stomach. The carpet rushes toward me, then disappears again as I’m yanked back onto my feet.

“Your mommy doesn’t need saving,” Eddie spits. “That slut knows exactly what she’s doing.” The word slut lands like a slap.

He steps back, unbuttons the sleeves of his flannel, then rolls them up, making a damn show of it.

“Your drug addict of a mother decided to withhold some earnings from me. I’m generous, but I have limits, too, you know?”

He pulls back, then delivers another blow to my cheek. Then my jaw. My vision blurs to black. The ringing in my ears swells until it drowns out everything except my own ragged breathing.

“Eddie, stop!” my mom screams.

He doesn’t.

“Go wait in the bedroom,” Eddie barks at her. “The boys will be in soon.”