I struck out, my fist connecting with his gut, and he doubled over and I brought my knee up into his face. The sound of crunching bone gave me satisfaction. Using my leg, I swept out the broken man’s feet and he fell back on the ground.
Preparing to knock him out completely, I yanked my arm back to throw down a punch, but someone caught it and spun me from behind.
The darkness swayed a little as I spun, and my stomach lurched. I caught another fist to the ribs and all my breath whooshed out of my body. Pain lanced through my chest and I bent over at the waist, fighting the urge to hurl.
Arms caught me from behind, linking through my biceps and twisting my arms back so I was rendered useless. The second man approached, and I kicked him. The kick didn’t keep him down and he came back to deliver a series of blows that caused blackness to swim before my eyes.
I felt the warm ooze of blood as it trickled down my face, tracking a single line over my cheekbone like a tear. I twisted, catching the guy pinning me off guard, and fell to the side out of his embrace. I hit the floor, my knees taking the brunt of the fall, but I pushed up, not allowing myself to feel the sting of pain.
I grabbed the guy looming behind me and slammed his face into the side window of Dom’s car. The glass didn’t break, but the guy crumpled to a heap on the floor.
I squared off, facing the two remaining men. I knew they were both hurting, but so was I. This wasn’t a fight I was going to win. We started at each other, throwing fists, taking hits, and I felt my skin swell as blood gushed from cuts on my face.
Several minutes later, the overhead light clicked on and the three of us drew back, blinking as our eyes adjusted to the new harsh lighting.
The sound of footsteps behind me caused my feet to move quickly, twirling my body around to see who was there.
It was Dom. “Maybe I should have sent more than three guys out here.”
“Do I not looked fucked up enough for you?” I asked, squinting through the dripping blood and swelling facial features.
“You’re still standing,” he said, flat.
“It’s gonna take a hell of a lot more than three guys to put me down and keep me there.”
“I saw something today that was very unsettling,” he said, ignoring my remarks.
I swiped at the mess on my face. “You look in the mirror?”
He lunged, snapping out his arm, connecting with my face, and then composing himself like he hadn’t moved at all.
The insult was worth it. He disgusted me so much that I knew if I was packing heat, I would already be holding him at gunpoint.
“You should have told me the hot little piece you like to keep to yourself worked for one of my employees.”
“What hot little piece are you referring to?”
“The one you so kindly let me know was off-limits.”
I wiped at the blood on my lip. “You telling me you keep a hair stylist on your payroll? Do you not like making appointments like everyone else?” I snapped.
“You want the beating to continue?” he threatened.
“If you wanted me unconscious, I already would be.”
He stared at me for long moments. Finally, the silence broke. “I want an explanation.”
“Am I supposed to know what the hell you’re talking about?” I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at him.
“Don’t play stupid with me!” Dom yelled, some of his composure slipping a bit. “What are you, some kind of narc?”
I stiffened, like the term offended me. Then I lunged at him, hammering my ready fist into the side of his jaw. “I’m no narc!” I yelled.
“You might not be a narc,” he said, dabbing at the corner of his busted lip, “but you are a traitor.”
“How do you figure?”
“You trying to cozy up? Ingratiate yourself to me and the crew so you can edge me out and take over my neighborhood?”
“You invited me into the crew. I didn’t come looking for you.” I reminded him.
“Doesn’t mean you won’t take an opportunity when one is presented.”
I didn’t reply because he was right.
“So what? You have your bitch spying on me? On my business?”
My back teeth came together when he spoke of Julie like that. My body was stiff and sore, my face burned, and I was getting really, really cranky.
“I don’t have time for this,” I spat. “I did what you asked. I stole you a transport vehicle. I agreed to make the delivery. I went out on the street to deal. You even got my credits from LeBraun himself, and that ain’t good enough.”
I shook my head.
“Fuck this shit. I’m out.” I turned to walk away.
“You’re not out ‘til I say you’re out,” he said quietly from behind.