Page 38 of Between Secrets and Obsession

“You ain’t really my type, Hank.” Visions of Maddie flash in my mind, but I blink them away. Now is definitely not the time to think about her gorgeous face and body. “And if you don’t stop moving, I’m gonna have to use physical force.”

He looks over his shoulder and sneers. “Isn’t that what you’re doing now?”

I slowly reveal a smirk, shaking my head at this clueless asshole before clicking them tighter. “This is just foreplay, baby. Wait till I get you in the back of my truck. Then the real fun begins.” I grin to myself that I’ve finally caught this douchebag.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?”

I chuckle darkly as I push off him and stand. “You ain’t the first to ask, Hank. Trust me.”

“Whatever,” he mutters, resting his cheek on the ground. “Just take me in.”

“Oh, thanks for the permission. So glad we’re finally on the same page now. You could’ve saved me three days if you’d just been at your last known address.” I bend down and pull him to his feet.

“Got evicted,” he tells me.

Gripping his arm, I lead us back to the house. “That’s what happens when you don’t pay the bills, man. Don’t you think it’s time you got your life together? Bumming off bitches ain’t cute at thirty-five.”

He snorts, stumbling as he walks. “And who made you Dr. Phil? Easy for you to say. I didn’t grow up with a silver spoon like you.”

I whip my head at him and scowl. “That excuse make you feel better for your shitty choices? I read your file and all the charges…” The moment we get to my truck, I push his face into the window. “I see you like to hit women. I saw the one you were with this morning, lookin’ like you smacked her around a bit. Is that what gets your dick hard?”

Wrapping my hand around the back of his neck, I squeeze.

“What the hell?” He strains to get out of my grip. “You can’t assault me for no reason.”

“Yeah?” I ask with amusement. “Who says?”

“Fuck off, asshole.”

I push his face harder into the glass. “See, I have a real issue with woman-beaters. A coward like yourself used to hit one of my best friends, and he got a bullet to the head. Then his dipshit brother tried to hurt her and ended up with a bullet to the leg before he died. So don’t push my fucking limits.”

“What do you want?” he hisses.

“You’re gonna get in my truck, sit quietly like a good little felon, and let me take you to jail without a fight. If you try anything, I won’t think twice about tasing your ass. Got it?”

Hank grunts, jerking in my grip and mumbles, “Yeah, got it.”

I lean in. “What was that? Couldn’t hear you.”

He clears his throat, shooting murderous daggers at me. “I said,got it.”

I pat his shoulder. “Good boy, Hank.” I pull him by his shirt, open the door, then help him get in and buckle up. “Gonna zip-tie your ankles so you don’t try to kick my window or me. Put them together.”

He does as I say, and once the plastic band is tightened, I boop his nose. “Road trip!”

It’s a three-hour drive to the jail, and once he’s booked, I head home.Finally.

No one’s home when I arrive. Maddie must still be at school, and Sophie and Mason most likely haven’t left work yet. I ate on the way home, so I hop in the shower.

Wrapping a towel around my waist, I step out, then jump at the figure in front of me.

“Jesus, Soph.” My heart nearly stopped. I could’ve sworn I locked the door.

“Hey, roomie. How was your trip?” she asks, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.

“Is there a reason you’re in here? I’m basically naked,” I say, tightening my towel.

Sophie rolls her eyes, then steps closer. “You don’t seem to mind when you walk around the house half-naked, so why is now any different? And relax, you don’t have anything I haven’t seen before.”