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Chapter 13 ( Ricardo)
I watch over her while she sleeps and her words echo in my head. “Whatever this is between us, it can't happen. I love your father, Ricardo. He's a monster but I will always love him. Even if it makes me a monster too.”
I don't know if this feeling in my chest is because I can identify with that statement or the fact that she basically told me that given a choice...she would choose him.
Or the worst realization of all.
I've never wanted anything of my father's...until her.
But she's right...whatever was brewing between us can't happen. For a multitude of reasons.
The most important being that I have to keep everyone I care about safe, and giving in to my attraction to her will most definitely not accomplish that.
But that doesn't mean I can't still be her friend and protect her.
She opens her eyes and yawns. “I left my clothes at Tyrone's.”
“I'll get them for you.” I get out of the bed but stop myself because I can't believe I almost forgot. “Why exactly were you attempting to seduce him last night?”
She purses her lips and her gaze narrows. “Why the fuck does it matter to you, asshole?” she tosses back.
I stare at her in disbelief.
Last night I held a fallen angel in my arms while she wept. But this morning?
This morning it's like I woke up with the devil.
Or rather...the devil's mistress.
“I thought we were working together? I thought we were a team?”
She lifts the covers off the bed and snorts. “Fu
So that's what this is about. “Scarlet is my friend—”
“Save it. I really don't want to hear about your sasquatch whore.”
I stand up and walk over to her. “Whoa, why are you acting like this?”
“Acting like what?”
“You only act like this when you're threatened. Last night I thought we—”
“You thought what, Ricardo? We're not anything. I told you, I love your father.”
Anger pulses through me and I can't believe I thought I could ever be attracted to her. I can't believe I ever thought we could be friends.
I can't believe I let myself start having feelings for her.
I glare at her. “Look, I thought I could trust you. I really despise people who go back on their word. You agreed to work together and I believed you.”
I snatch my jeans off the floor. “But don't worry, unlike you I'm not a traitor. I won't tell DeLuca about you—”
“You said one night, Ricardo.” She looks at the ground. “You said I only had to drop my guard down for one night. Your one night is over.”
I open my mouth but her lips turn up in a snarl and she takes a step closer to me. “And just so we're clear, I really don't like Scarlet. She's a bitch.”
I almost want to laugh because this is the pot calling the kettle black but I'm trying to understand this girl and help her. I don't want to give up on her.
Despite the fact that my brain keeps firing off warning signals.
I've seen the good parts of Lou-Lou. I know that underneath this rough exterior is a girl who's scared, lonely and damaged in a way most people could never comprehend.
The truth of the matter is, she doesn't have to break...because my heart breaks for her.
She pops a hand on her hip. “So?”
I shrug because I don't know what she wants. “What?”
“Are you going to fire her or not?”
“I'm not going to fire someone just because you don't like them. Newsflash, Lou-Lou— the world is full of people you aren't always going to get along with. You have to learn to adapt.”
I grab a shirt from my closet. “Now, if she did something to you, tell me and I'll take care of it.”
She stomps her foot on the ground like a 2-year-old. “I want her gone. If you don't fire her I'm calling Bruno.”
I take a deep breath because she's really testing my patience. “Just tell me what the problem is and I'll talk to her.”
“The problem is she's a bitch!” she screams before she runs out of the bedroom.
That's it...I've had about enough of her antics.
“Well so are you,” I yell while chasing after her. “Frankly, I'm surprised you two don't get along famously.”
She walks out the front door and into the hallway. I follow her and I'm about to remind her that she's still only wearing her bra and panties but then she screams. “Get bent!”
“Goddammit, Lou-Lou—”
I stop mid sentence when I hear a throat clear and a pair of ebony eyes meet mine.
Shit, I forgot Momma was coming into town.
“Hi, Momma.”
“Hi, Sugar.”
She focuses her gaze on Lou-Lou. “So I take it this is the new neighbor?” Her lips draw in a tight line and she squints her eyes. “The very same neighbor who went on a date with Tyrone two nights ago.”
As far as first impressions go, this has to be one of the worst.
Lou-Lou blanches and looks at me. For a moment, I see the vulnerability swirling in those doe eyes of hers.
And I don't blame her...Momma's one hell of a scary woman.
I take a step forward and Lou-Lou ducks behind me, shielding herself.
Of course, that's when Jackson and Tyrone come out of their apartment.
Perfect timing as always.
Made all that much better by the fact that Tyrone has what looks to be Lou-Lou's ring girl outfit in his hand.
Momma puts two and two together and her eyes turn fierce. Everyone but Lou-Lou knows what's coming and there's nothing anyone can do to stop it.
She crinkles her nose at Lou-Lou. “Word of advice, darlin',” she says in her southern drawl. “Men don't buy the cow when they can get the milk for free.”
Tyrone looks like he's going to say something but I halt him. Maybe when Lou-Lou sees that I've got her back, she'll be a little more trusting and work with me.
“Look, she's not giving anything away for free, Momma.”
Jackson snickers and Momma raises an eyebrow.
Yeah, that didn't come out right.
“What I mean is...she's with me.” I turn my head and reach for Lou-Lou's hand. “Right?”
Something passes between us and she takes my hand. “Right.”
Tyrone appears confused and looks at me, but for whatever reason, he decides to drop it and not question it further.
I can't say the same for Momma, though.
“Why would she go on a date with Tyrone if she's with you?”
The fact that she's not even bothering to look at Lou-Lou anymore speaks volumes.
I swallow hard and stick to the plan. “We're not serious. You know, with it being so new and all. But she won't be going on any more dates with Tyrone.” I cast a glance at Lou-Lou. “Right, babe?”
“Right,” she grits through her teeth.
Momma shakes her head and claps her hands. “Well, get ready for breakfast, boys.” She eyes Lou-Lou. “Your lady friend is welcome to join us once she puts some clothes on.”
Lou-Lou starts to shake her head but I lean down and whisper. “Don't you even think about turning that woman's invitation down. Just keep your mouth shut and be polite.”
She gives me that 'fuck you' smile of hers. “Fine, Ricky.”
Then she marches into her apartment to get dressed.
Everyone starts to walk inside but I halt Momma. “Go easy on her, Momma.”
She looks like she wants to argue but I add, “Please. For me.”