Lead Me Home (Fight for Me #3)(48)

If she’d be pissed or pleased.

Thing was, it was a part of who we were.

On top of that, Nikki’s grandma was sick.

Loss was a motherfucking bitch.

What made it worse was I didn’t know things were so bad they were needing to sell stuff off.

I looked over at the twitcher who’d probably swindled the car right out from under them. “You said Todd sold you this car?”

“Yeah, dude . . . pretty sure that was his name. Looking to get rid of it fast. I didn’t do nothin’ wrong, so if you're not interested, let me know and I’m out of here. No big thing.”

I roughed a hand through my hair and turned my face up to the strikingly blue sky.

Blowing out a sigh, I looked back at him. “Need to make a call, and I'll let you know. Give me a minute.”

Asshole itched, eyes darting around, desperation flooding his tone. “Man, if you're not interested, I’ll find someone who is. Don’t have time for this bullshit.”

I flew at him, getting right in his face.

Off to the side, Sage chuckled, low and dark. Hell, the guy was probably more intimidating than me.

Punk staggered back, and I just backed him closer and closer into the wall until the only way out was through me. “Listen, asshole. I know the owner of that car.”

I pointed at it as I said it. “Now give me one fucking minute to figure out if this is legit. Otherwise, I'm gonna take matters into my own hands and make that decision for myself. If you want to leave, be my guest. But you won’t be leaving with this car. You got me?”

He shrugged me off, lifting his chin like he thought he was a badass who was going to take me out.

Bring it on.

I’d lay him out in a second flat.

He shook himself out. “Whatever. You have five.”

Punk asshole twat. Little fucker needed someone to teach him a lesson.

I gave Sage a warning look.

And he gave me one back.

This shit didn’t sit right with either of us.

I pulled out my phone and tapped out a message to Nikki. Hated that she was probably going to cringe when she saw my name come up on the screen.

But this was my job.

To protect her the best way I could.

Me: Hey, is your grandma selling some of her things from her place?





Three of us sat there in silence, waiting for a response. Five minutes passed, then ten.

The asshole smacked his hands out in front of him. “So, are we gonna do this deal or what?”

I groaned out a frustrated sigh. “What are you asking for it?”

“Ten.”

I laughed out loud and gave a harsh shake of my head.

With the way he flinched, I was pretty sure it sounded like nothing but a threat.

“I’ll give you four.”

“What the fuck, man, that’s bullshit.”

Hands curling into fists, I edged closer to him, not quite sure why I felt like taking the stain out.

Got the feeling he’d been doing plenty of shady shit on his own.

This guy radiated sleaze.

Wasn’t about to let him make out on this car. On Nikki’s family’s pain.

No fucking way.

“You’re free to leave here, deal or not. But you're not leaving here with this car.”





16





Nikki





“All right, everyone. Have a seat, and we’ll get started,” I called to the group of women who had congregated along the back wall of the secluded basement room, pouring themselves coffee and chatting before the meeting.

Everyone moved to their seats.

I glanced around at their faces. Some familiar, regulars who were there week after week, but there were a few new faces, all of which looked unsure of themselves and what they were doing there.

Their expressions ranged from hopeful to sad.

Their ages, heritage, and economic statuses didn’t matter. Each of them was so very different, yet in this setting, they were all the same.

Recovering from one trauma or another.

Abuse.

Loss.

Whatever it may be, it united them in solidarity.

Nerves strained tight across my chest at the anxiety I felt each time I sat in this position. The weight and the burden I was gladly taking on.

Their counselor.

Their encourager.

The chatter quieted as everyone settled into their seats, and Dr. Kathy gave me a nod, giving me the go ahead.

I was leading group tonight.

My stomach dipped as those nerves soared.

My gaze met Brenna’s, and she gave me a timid smile.

I smiled back and cleared my throat, letting my attention bounce around the group. "Good evening, everyone. Thank you for being here. It’s great to see your faces.”

“It’s good to be here,” echoed back.

“For those of you who may not know me, my name is Nikki Walters, and I’ll be leading group tonight. Before we start, I’d like to reiterate that this is our safe place. Everything said within these walls is confidential and won’t leave this circle. We won’t judge each other, but rather we will hold each other up.”

Agreement rippled around the circle.

“Let’s start this off with our group mantra. Our prayer. We’ll remember it with everything that is shared tonight.”