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“Get the money, handsome,” says the man on the left, who is holding the suitcase.
“Do you know the saying: the bigger the muscles, the smaller the penis?” Dale is not amused. His eye twitches. He would like to knock me to the ground right now, but Chip gives him a warning glance and he holds back. Chip is like Caden, so I turn to Dale. He is easier to provoke because he ticks like me and I want to provoke. I really want to let off steam. Okay, they’re armed, but whatever. So am I.
“So, your mother...” I say to him and his eye twitch intensifies. “She was really hot when I fucked her in the ass. But she wasn’t a virgin.” Immediately, Dale comes at me and gives me a blow that almost sends my head flying. Reflexively, I raise my arm to fend off the next blow and punch him in the side three times, until he groans and ribs audibly break. I haven’t had enough yet and this is so entertaining. From behind, Chip flies at me like a squirrel, trying to kill me. I step aside, grab his arm, and his momentum sends him flying past me and I kick his ass so that he falls into the dirt. Dad used to train a lot with Caden and me back in the day. Boxing, Muay Thai, kickboxing, all that shit. Until recently, Caden and I trained together. I’m used to him as an opponent and he’s the toughest opponent you can have, but I allow Dale one more punch because I need it. Under the force of the huge fist, my eyebrow bursts open and blood splashes across the ground.
Oops. Shit.
For a moment, I see stars and the pain explodes through my head, but I don’t let it distract me.
I knock him out with a well-aimed blow that Dad taught me when I was twelve and the other stops trying.
I grab the suitcase and throw the bundle of bills I have into the dirt, then I turn around, light a cigarette, and stroll back to the car.
That felt good.
Really good. And badly needed.
* * *
After I deliver it to Luca, the boss’s backer, and he has examined my battered face because he knows there will be consequences, I drive to Melissa’s house.
I have to fuck it away, whatever is raging inside me.
A short time later, I park my car in front of the Portmans’ garage door. All the lights are off except hers upstairs. There it is always bright. She knows I’m always awake at night and hopes that I’ll come by. I do that sometimes too, then she is happy and greets me in lingerie as if she is always ready for me. The blood on my eyebrow is dried, some of it still sticking to my cheek. My knuckles are cracked and burning, but I don’t give a damn. I need the pain. I have always needed it and I often passed it on to Melissa, who I broke bit by bit — in my own way.
I get out and flick my cigarette away as I stroll toward the front door. I think this time I’ll stay for a few days and fuck myself empty. That sounds like a good plan.