Page 21 of Hearts Held

“No, Elly, it is a saying. Don’t touch the snakes, ever. Don’t let anyone ever touch thesnakes.”

She nods swiftly in my direction and all four of us stand, getting ready to take defensive positions before we head directly into Hurricane Frederick.

He has draped himself over a chair, not a care in the world. He smells like cigarettes and booze—God, and something else. The stench is awful. I will have to have Elly wash down this room.

“What’s this shit about?” he moans out, scratching his face with both hands. I see the black eye and a couple scrapes on his cheekbone. Small stains on his suit. Disgraceful.

He is lucky Kenneth isn’t in charge, for he doesn’t have as much patience and Frederick would be dead by now.

I took my father’s words seriously within his will.Protect the Family, always. Family Always First.

Frederick spots Lloyd and Lyle walking into the room and he stands up. “The fuck they doing here!?” he shouts.

I grab my head. “Would you pipe the fuck down? You bellend, you fucked up. You attacked Lyle, and let’s just cut to the chase, Frederick. You fucking stole from the Den. You’ve been stealing booze and money. Thus, youare stealing from the family.” My icy tone seeps across the room and you can see every spine stiffen.

I’m at least three to four inches taller than everyone, except for Kenneth—he is almost my height, but I’m still taller and outweigh him.

Frederick spits out, “I am only getting what I deserve!”

An evil cackle comes from Kenneth. He peers over his glasses, glaring at Frederick. “What you deserve? You mean your fucking monthly allowance that is four to five times more than anyone else’s in this town isn’t enough? When you don’t lift a finger or get your hands dirty but indulge in everything and anything we get for free? Grow up, Freddy. I’m so fucking sick of you. You’re lucky Everett gives a shit about you.” His words slip out like venom.

Frederick’s face contorts. He wants to remark back but knows he’d be given a verbal assault by Kenneth.

I speak up. “You will be working the horse stables, no booze, no drugs, and you will be watched by members. They will have orders to beat the living snot out of you if you even look at a booze bottle or try to go against your punishment.” Staring him down, I dare him to bitch.

Frederick abruptly stands. “Fuck you!” he yells, then storms out of the building like the toddler he is.

Lyle speaks. “That went as expected.”

Then we all take a seat at the table to review the books and determine how to mitigate the losses.

After an hour or so, the calmness is disturbed as a small tornado of a brunette enters the room. She has blood on her top and skirt.

Ah.

The nurse.

I was wondering when we would run into each other. I’ve been keeping my distance, remembering how intrigued I was by her. I don’t need any distractions, but hell, I’ll welcome one to stave off this migraine.

Staring her down, I fight my urge to smile as her face indicates utter surprise.

My thoughts began wandering again. Studying her facial expressions, I find them to be adorable, and the blood splattered on her attire makes her rather enticing.

It’s nice to see a woman get her hands dirty—other than Baba, that is. Although I’m not too sure Baba is awoman—more so a heretic.

Bobby comes storming in after her. “I’m sorry, I tried to stop—”

She cuts off Bobby with the fierceness of a lioness swatting at a cub. “Who the fuck is in charge?”

Damn.

Her words slap me harder than any verbal assault from Kenneth. Quite impressive.

I never thought I had a type of woman, but she may be it.

“May I help you?” I say.

Keeping the icy composure of my facial features, I place my chin in my hand, contemplating my next choice of words and trying my damnedest not to show any emotion.