Page 50 of True North

“I know! I know. You’re the boss and Hastings is a fucking shit bag. But that’s not what I was talking about.”

I took a step closer, gnashing my teeth. “Then get to the fucking point before you piss me off.”

“He’s got a girl,” he spat out in rapid fire.

I paused, letting his words sink in. “What did you say?”

Simmons’s face stretched into a creepy Joker grin that sent a shiver up my back. Jesus, how was a man as ugly as him married? His wife must not have had any self-respect at all. “He has a girl. Saw him with her today. She was at the scene, and he about lost it on me when I threatened to cuff her.”

So the prick finally had a soft spot, I thought to myself, my own smile growing as I gave that some thought. That was what my dad and grandpa had been talking about. The man had no leverage that could be used against him.

Until now, apparently. “Who is it?”

“That redheaded chick that sells houses. Don’t know her name, but she’s got a nice ass. I’ll tell you that much.”

“Don’t give a shit about her ass, dickhead. I need something I can use.”

“I-I’m sorry, boss. Real sorry.” He held up his hands, placatingly, and I could see that fear steeping in his wide eyes. God, I loved that fear. It fed me, breathed air into my lungs. Knowing this fucking town feared me and my family was what got me out of bed most mornings. Each time I saw it was like a hit of heroine entering my veins.

Now that I was hard enough to pound nails, a part of me wished I still had that bitch from earlier. Her pussy might have been stretched to hell, but that filthy mouth of hers could have done with a beating.

Maybe there was still time to hit that bar again and pick up another bitch. Get my rocks off while she choked on my dick.

Yeah, I told myself. That was exactly what I planned to do. Just as soon as I got done with this fuck weasel.

“I want everything you can dig up on the girl, and I want it yesterday.” I drilled my index and middle fingers into his chest. “You hear me?”

“Y-yes, sir. I hear you. I’ll get on that right away. Top priority, sir.”

Fucking right he would. Because now that Hastings had someone to leverage, this election was all but in the bag.

And if I had my way, I’d soon be shoving my success down my dad’s and grandpa’s throats.

And I would make goddamn sure they choked on it.

TWENTY-FOUR

IRIS

Lennon

I vote to kick Iris out of the friend group. Unless, of course, she agrees to coffee today to give the rest of us the scoop on her new man.

Phoebe

Seconded.

Me

Rude.

Lennon

What’s rude is you disappearing on your girls for three days with no word.

Phoebe

Unforgivable. You’re breaking girl code here.