Page 80 of Cash

I raised my hands in surrender. “I’m done. Get your arm off my fuckin’ neck.”

Ghost released his grip. “You cool?”

I rubbed my neck. “I’m good.”

“God damn it, Cash,” Baker stepped onto the deck. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“He deserved it, Bake,” I said. “Cocksucker’s lucky I didn’t kill him.”

Baker pushed Goose to the side and looked Reno over. “Call an ambulance,” he shouted over his shoulder.

“Fuck,” Ghost said under his breath.

Baker stood and waved his hand toward Reno. “Look at him, Cash. You’re telling me he deserved that?”

Ghost cleared his throat. “Hate to say it, but you’d have done the same thing, Boss.”

“What’d he do?” Baker asked.

Standing just beyond the deck, Kimberly gawked at the group with wide eyes. Wide eyes that were filled with fear.

I looked at Ghost and shook my head. “Tell him later. When we’re gone.”

As I stepped off the deck, I slowly filled with regret over everything that had happened. From punching Tito to pummeling Reno, however, one thing had been made crystal clear. So clear that there was no denying it.

Kimberly meant more to me than I was readily willing to admit.

I had my doubts, however, that she’d be willing to continue. I could apologize all I wanted, but Baker was right.

A tiger couldn’t change its stripes.