Million Dollar Devil (Million Dollar #1)(26)

Luke and I talk about the night, mine and his, and when we wrap things up, I can’t help but think of Elizabeth. Everything about her intrigues me. The way she tries to do the “right” thing but is so tempted to do the wrong one.

Next to every other word out of her mouth says that she’s disgusted by me. But her body? Her body is anything but turned off by me. That fact alone makes me hungry for more. More real, ungoverned responses, not the shit she’s been taught to say and do by Daddy Warbucks.

Oh, yeah, for sure the man wouldn’t approve of me. But I don’t really care what he thinks. It’s his daughter I want beneath me—fuck the rules of propriety. Lizzy may follow them to a T, but I’ve never had any problems breaking a few in my own self-interest, and for sweet little Elizabeth to lose her cool beneath me, I’m capable of breaking them all. Every last one of them. If she wants me enough—and I get the feeling she does—she’ll keep me around even if I break a few of those contract clauses.

A short time later, I’m on my way home when my phone rings. I don’t recognize the number, but it’s local, and I answer without considering the time.

“This Jimmy?”

“Who’s this?”

“A friend.”

“Yeah? My friends usually tell me who they are as soon as I pick up.”

“Not this one.” Static fills the line. “Shit. I don’t have a good connection. I’m calling about your kid brother. Text you the address. Meet me in twenty.”

The line goes dead. Seconds later, an address is sent, and I know the place. Every thug in Atlanta knows the neighborhood.

It’s where boys become men and men become criminals. Correction. They become thugs doing twenty years or more in the state pen.

Fuck my life.

I don’t have time for this shit. This is why I accepted Elizabeth’s offer in the first place. I don’t want to earn my honor or Charlie’s freedom in a street fight.

Right now, it doesn’t matter what I want. I flip through my contacts and find Luke’s number and get him on the line. “Hate to ask, but I may need some backup tonight.”

“What do you need?”

I tell him. He says he’ll be there. “This is about Charlie, Jimmy.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Street rule is if you take ’em all down, they’ll leave him alone.”

“Then let’s end this.”

“On my way.”

The fight ends about as quickly as it begins. Luke’s a brute, and while he was late, the gang never expected me to have backup. Having another guy show up for Charlie was a surprise, and it worked out to our advantage. After Denny’s brothers and their crew flee, Luke and I stand around and shoot the shit, half expecting to see another round with different guys.

When no one shows, Luke gets all sentimental. “Charlie has a tough time. If you ever need me again, I’ll be here. Tell Charlie the same.”

I have nothing but mad respect for this guy. I wish Charlie could find a friend who has his back.

Then again, siding with Charlie could get a good kid knocked up pretty bad.

It’s almost dawn when I creep inside our cottage-style house. The floorboards creak as I make my way to the bathroom. My cheek is swollen. My back is sore as shit, and my eye is turning a different color by the second.

I splash some water on my face and head to the kitchen.

“What the hell happened to you?” Charlie is already at the small table. “Let me guess. Somebody wanted to give you a haircut and shave, so they beat the hell out of ya until you agreed?”

“Very funny.” If only it were that simple. “Want bacon and eggs?”

“Toast is fine.”

“Coming right up.” I nod at his open book. “Thought you did your homework last night?”

“Mine, sure. Didn’t do Hank’s.”

I grimace. “Why would you do Hank’s?”

“So you don’t get your ass kicked again tonight.” He glances up at me. “I’ll do the kid’s homework from now on, and there won’t be a problem.”

I toss some bread in the toaster. “First, I didn’t have my ass handed to me. Thanks for the vote of confidence. Secondly, you’re not doing Hank’s homework. From now on, if a kid threatens you, come to me. I’ll handle it.”

“This time, a haircut. Next time they’ll shave your head. That’s the way these people roll.”

“They didn’t bring out the clippers, Charlie. I had the cut and shave yesterday.”

“Okay, well, in that case . . . who is she?” Charlie pours himself some juice.

“Just a woman.”

He shrugs. “Does ‘just a woman’ have a name?”

“Elizabeth. And it’s just business.”

“Don’t believe you. Since when do you hold frozen peas to your face?”

“Since you asked, we might as well do this now.” I tap my fingers against the table. “But you gotta keep it under wraps, okay? I’m the new model for an exclusive fashion line. Banks Limited. Have you heard of it?”

“A model? No fuckin’ way.”

“Language, kid. I’m guessing that’s good?”

“Hell yeah! I bet you’re making a busload of cash. Are you?”