Page 36 of Nuts

“Nothing’s wrong. Shithead’s home. I’m headed over there.”

“Are you uhhm. Are you going to tell him I’m staying here?”

He barked out a laugh. “I ain’t gonna tell him shit. He’ll see your car sooner or later, though.”

“I’ll uhhm. Okay.”

“If the cops come and haul me away, shut the garage door, and lock the house when you leave. I’ll be back sooner or later. Either that, or Smoke will come by and let you know what’s up. Set of keys on the kitchen table for you. One fits the front door, and one fits the back. The little key locks the garage from the outside.”

“You’re not going to kill him, are you?”

His face was expressionless. “Depends on how things go, I suppose.”

He extended his clenched fist.

I swallowed hard, walked to the door, and pounded my fist against his.

“See you in a bit, Smudge.”

I bit against my quivering lip and gave a sharp nod.

He pulled the door closed behind him.

Then, it hit me.

I yanked the door open. “Be careful. He’s uhhm. He’s a former Marine.”

“A former Marine?” He glanced over his shoulder and let out a laugh. “Well, I’m currently the meanest son-of-a-bitch I know, so this ought to be fun.”

Chapter Fourteen

Percy

If a man raises his hand to a woman, he’s earned an ass whipping. But for a man to raise his hand to one of his children, especially his daughter, he’s earned far more than a simple ass whipping.

I told myself as I walked across the yard that killing him wasn’t the answer, but despite my mind’s thoughts, my soul struggled to accept anything short of burying him in the backyard.

I stepped on the porch, checked over each of my shoulders, and then knocked on the door.

The door opened.

“Something I can do for--”

I swung a straight right hand as hard as I’d ever thrown one. The punch caught him off guard – and directly in center of his face.

His nose splattered beneath my knuckles, undoubtedly broken by a punch he had no idea was coming.

I had no intention of beating him and walking away.

None whatsoever.

My plan was to beat him, educate him on matters of moral behavior, and then beat him a little more.

As he stumbled to catch his footing, I stepped into the house and pulled the door closed behind me.

He lowered his hands.

Blood dripped past his lips and down his chin. For an instant, he appeared to be confused. Then his fight or flight instinct kicked in.