Page 23 of Juke (DeLuca Brothers #4)

Rio

I’d been lying low in an Air BnB with Nessa while Boom bounced between the streets and his girl’s spot.

I didn’t mind the distance. It gave me time to think…

to plan, but every time I thought about Sophi sitting next to that boxer nigga like he owned her, my blood ran hotter that a hoe at a confessional.

Nessa was on the other end of the couch with her legs crossed, scrolling her phone like she didn’t have any care in the world.

“I’m taking Juke out,” I said finally, voice flat. “That’s the only way I can get her back. Once he’s gone, she’ll have no choice but to come back to me.”

Nessa’s head snapped up, and then she laughed. She was laughing so hard she damn near choked on her own breath. “You? Take Juke out? Nigga, please.”

“The fuck you laughing at?” I barked.

“You,” she spat, shaking her head. “You really don’t get it. That man ain’t somebody you can just take out. Don’t let that boxing shit fool you. Juke’s just as deadly outside the ring as he is inside of it. You put a target on him; you better be ready to get buried.”

Her words cut deeper than she knew. It wasn’t just doubt; she was talking like she had more faith in that nigga than she had in me, and that shit didn’t sit well with me.

My jaw clenched. “You sound real sure about another nigga.”

“I’m being real,” she shot back. “You think Sophi gone run back to you after you kill him? She’ll hate you for it. Juke ain’t just some dude to her. He’s her—”

I didn’t let her finish. My hand moved faster than my thoughts, cracking across her cheek so hard her phone hit the floor.

The sound echoed in the small living room.

She froze with her hand pressed to her face and her eyes wide.

Without another word, I snatched her keys off the table, shoved them in my pocket, and stalked out the door before I did something I probably wouldn’t regret.

Once outside, I lit up a blunt, letting the smoke burn my chest. My pulse was pounding like a beating drum…

I was that pissed off. She had a lot of fuckin’ nerve to sit in my face and doubt me like that nigga was untouchable or some shit.

She’ll see… they’ll all see. Sophi was mine…

always had been, and if I had to kill that nigga Juke to remind her of that, so be it.

***

I parked a block down from Juke’s condo building, just far enough to keep from being spotted but close enough to see the entrance. My eyes stayed locked on those doors, waiting for her. She thought she could hide behind Juke, behind guards, codes, and family, but I knew where she laid her head.

My phone buzzed with Boom’s name lighting the screen.

“What?” I answered, not trying to hide the annoyance in my voice.

“Nigga, you put your hands on my sister?” He snarled liked that shit was supposed to scare me.

I smirked, leaning back in the seat. “That bitch talks too fuckin’ much. She forgot who the fuck she was dealing with. I’on play with bitches… niggas either.” I warned.

“You got me fucked up,” Boom snapped. “I’on give a fuck who you are, you ever touch my sister again, I’ll—”

“Nigga, please.” I cut him off with a laugh. “Don’t think for a second I won’t kill you.”

I hung up before he could say another word.

I said what I had to say, and I meant every word.

That’s when I saw her. Sophi stepped out of the building, moving like she didn’t have a care in the world.

My jaw clenched at the sight of her living carefree.

I noticed she wasn’t alone, though. That nigga had security right on her, trailing close as they led her to her car.

I waited until they pulled off, then started my engine and eased into traffic, keeping my distance so they wouldn’t notice me.

It wasn’t long before they parked outside of a restaurant.

I slid into the first available spot I ran across before stepping out before she even made it to the door.

Inside, I found a booth in the back that had a perfect view of the entrance.

Moments later, she finally waltzed inside.

She headed to a table that already had three other ladies at it.

She looked peaceful and content, and for obvious reasons, that pissed me off.

I leaned back with my hat pulled low and a pair of shades covering my eyes as I watched her every move.

I watched as she looked as if she was having the time of her life.

She was acting normal, but I stared so hard I knew she felt it.

Eventually, her eyes lifted as she searched the room.

The moment her eyes locked with mine, I smirked because I knew she knew it was me.

The moment the fear flashed through her eyes, I was satisfied.

I didn’t move… just smirked, letting her see I still had control over her peace…

her body, even from across a crowded room.

She broke the look first, turning back to the ladies she was with, pretending like nothing happened, but it was too late.

I saw it. The way her shoulders stiffened, and how her smile faltered.

That was all I needed. I leaned back in the booth, satisfied.

She might’ve thought she escaped, but fear had a leash, and I was still holding on to it.