Page 24

CHAPTER 23

Rocco

If I didn’t think my cousin would beat the shit out of me for touching her, I’d bend Julia into a fucking lawn chair and please her with my mouth for her bravery. The police officer watching me came to my cell about an hour ago, spewing venom about having to let me go. And all I could do was laugh my ass off.

Dickhead.

When the eight cop cars pulled me over on the side of the road after my call with Max, I knew the jig was up. The only thing I could think of, care about, was if he and his Tinkerbell were okay.

Yeah, Tinkerbell .

She looks exactly like that little fairy—cute button nose, blonde hair, and some kind of magic that has made my cousin fall head over heels for her. He won’t admit it, but the guys got it bad. And honestly, I can see why. She may have been lying through her ass when she sat down to talk to me through the plexiglass of the detention center, but I could see every emotion in her eyes.

She was scared. Worried. And I couldn’t understand how someone who doesn’t even know me, would put their own freedom on the line to help get me out of jail.

I walk through the metal detector and approach the desk where an officer sits, looking at me like an animal.

“Where’s my shit, Chief Wiggum!”

“Excuse me?”

“Y’know, the cop from The Simpsons. You look just like him.” I snort, grabbing my wallet and burner phone from the counter when he places them there. “Don’t tell me you don’t watch it?”

“No.” He grunts.

“So uncultured…anyway. Thanks for the stay. I’ll make sure to review it on Airbnb…zero out of ten, would not recommend.” I chuckle loudly as I walk to the door and back into the outside world.

The moment the iron wrought gates open for me to pass through. I hold my arms out beside me, releasing a loud bellow of laughter. There, just outside, Julia and Max lean against the rented black SUV.

“You clever motherfucker!” I shout, jogging towards him, embracing Max in the tightest of hugs. A man that’s more than my fucking cousin. He’s my brother in every way possible.

“It wasn’t my idea.” He says as he moves back from the hug. “It was all Julia.”

“You’re fucking kidding me!” My eyes widen as I look between the both of them. “You,” I wrap my arms around her waist, lifting her off the ground and spinning her around, “are a fucking genius girl!”

Her sweet laughter permeates the air, and I grin. “You’re welcome.”

“Alright, that’s enough,” Max grumbles, and I put her down.

“Y’know,” I look at Julia, nodding my head towards Max as I speak. “If you’re looking for a better lover, I can help.” The feeling of Max’s palm connecting to the back of my head makes me jolt. “Hey!”

“Shut the fuck up and get in the car, asshole!”

“Alright, alright. Let’s go back to the cabin. There’re a few things we need to talk about.” I wink in Julia’s direction, and by the look on my cousin’s face, I see that he hates the way I look at her. Not that I would do anything because she’s not my type. She’s all his.

Yeah, my cousin… is, in fact…in love.