Little Hoodlum (Hood River Hoodlums Book 2) Page 17

  “It’s a date,” he says, beaming. “Great job on the test. You aced it.”

  I try not to grimace. My heart aches at the realization I’ve lost yet another friend. “Thanks.”

  I manage to pull away from his arms to grab my bag and purse. He waits by the door, blocking my path.

  “It’s so hard having to stare at you every day, Roux, and not obsess over you. You’re so fucking beautiful and smart and caring. If I weren’t your teacher, I would’ve publicly claimed you already.”

  Forcing a smile, I dart my eyes to the door. “Roan’s waiting.”

  “Bye, beautiful.”

  I close my eyes as he mauls me with a kiss that tastes like a mixture of desperation and obsession. When it’s over, I flee from the classroom. Rather than go to the parking lot, I make a stop by the bathroom to fix my face. Then, I head to the office.

  “Ms. Frazier?”

  Charlotte’s aunt feels more like my aunt sometimes.

  “What is it?” she asks, immediately sensing my distress.

  “I, uh, was wondering if I could change my schedule.” I gnaw on my bottom lip. “Starting tomorrow.”

  “If you’re having trouble with one of your classes, I don’t mind tutoring you like old times.” She smiles. “I’m sure it’s nothing that can’t be fixed over cookies after school.”

  As much as I want to confide in her, I don’t. If Jordy or Roan gets wind about Wes, they’ll freak out. With everything going on with Renaldo, I can’t afford that. I just need to fix this and make it go away.

  “My last class is with Charlotte. We’re not on speaking terms anymore. It’s distracting. I can’t focus.” Not a lie. “Please.”

  Understanding glimmers in her eyes. “Of course, honey. I’ll make the change. You can go to Miss Peterson’s class starting tomorrow.”

  “Thank you.”

  When I finally make it outside, Roan is sitting in his truck waiting. I all but run, eager to escape this hell hole. His brotherly stare assesses me, no doubt picking up on my distress.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. Just asked Ms. Frazier to switch my classes.”

  “Which one?”

  I swallow and level my brother with a hard stare. “My last one.”

  A million emotions flash in his amber eyes. “Good. Do I need to kick anyone’s ass?”

  “I took care of it myself.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yep.”

  “Of course you are,” Roan says, winking. “You’re a Hoodlum.”

  Damn right.

  Hoodlums are tough.

  We don’t take shit.

  He starts to drive off and we pass a parked car. Tom is sitting in the driver’s seat, his creepy stare on us. Roan nods at him as we drive.

  “You know Peeping Tom?”

  Roan whips his head to the side. “You know Tom?”

  “He’s my stalker,” I deadpan.

  Roan snorts. “Good. Everyone needs a stalker like Tom.”

  With those words churning inside my head, I wonder where my stalker was when my teacher went possessive boyfriend on me.

  “Where are we going?” I ask, shoving thoughts of Wes into the dark corners of my mind.

  “To bug Jordy. Maybe he’ll hook us up with some free food.”

  Getting to see Jordy erases every terrible thing that happened today.

  “Roan?”

  “Yeah?”

  “When will our lives stop being so hard?”

  He reaches over and takes my hand. “One day soon, Roux. We’ve earned it.”

  Jordy

  Every time I set a plate of food in the window, I catch Renaldo’s glare. He’s sitting with Juno and a few other thugs, causing a ruckus. Bob says nothing, clearly terrified of Renaldo. It pisses me off that Renaldo seems to hold power over everyone in this town. I’m about to start on another order when Roan and Roux walk in.

  Fuck.

  I shake my head at Roan, but he’s not looking at me. Renaldo, though, is boring a hole through me. Slowly, he turns around to see who I’m watching. I’ll give Roan credit. He doesn’t flinch the moment he realizes what he just walked into with Little Hoodlum. Acting as though he’s unbothered, he takes a table far enough away from them.

  I need to distract Renaldo.

  Rushing through the kitchen door, I make my way over to Renaldo and Juno. I crack my neck and level my glare on Renaldo.

  “Wow, man,” Renaldo sneers. “Someone fucked you up.”

  I run my tongue over my sore lip. “What do you want?”

  “Just checkin’ on my boy.”

  Juno smirks. “Bet you learned your lesson, huh, little bro?”

  “Fuck off, Juno,” I grind out.

  They all laugh at my anger. I’m about to explode. I wish to hell Roan would leave, but it would be too obvious. Plus, my stupid best friend won’t leave me to get my ass kicked if he thinks that’s where it’s headed.

  “My brother says you wish you were fuckin’ that young thing over there,” Renaldo says, losing all humor as he glowers at my girl.

  I want to grab his hair and bash his face against the table for even looking at her.

  “Your brother is an idiot.”

  Renaldo studies me for a long moment. “He is, but he’s a fuckin’ kid. What’s your excuse?”

  “I don’t know what sort of bullshit baby Ramirez whines about when you two are watching the Disney channel together late at night during family time, but he doesn’t know shit about me. I grew up with them. I’m not interested in what high school brats are up to. I certainly don’t want to fuck them.”

  Renaldo whistles. “You two. Get over here.”

  Fuck.

  I can practically feel Roan’s protective rage pouring over me. Roux comes to stand beside me, between me and her brother. Renaldo looks her up and down, and I’m thankful she’s wearing a hoodie so he can’t check her tits out. Today she seems messy and frazzled. I’d rather him see her as a young kid than someone fuckable.

  “You’re my brother’s girl?” Renaldo asks.

  She straightens. “He wishes.”

  Juno snorts and the other two guys with them laugh. Renaldo simply smirks.

  “He does,” he agrees. “He’s in love with you for some reason. He misses you.”

  “We broke up,” Roux tells him. “I don’t care if he misses me.”

  “I’m having a party tonight at my place.” He licks his teeth and winks at her. “You should come.”

  Roan steps forward like he might lunge at Renaldo, but a sharp glare from me stops him.

  “She’s grounded,” Roan says, laughing cruelly. “For life. Tell them what you did, Roux.”

  She crosses her arms over her chest. “No.”

  “Aww, tell us, little girl,” Renaldo taunts.

  “No.”

  Renaldo laughs.

  Roux, playing into the weird ass vibe, says, “Kayden really misses me?”

  I want to crush Kayden for even existing, but I don’t say a word.

  “Yeah, kid, he does. Apparently he’s a pussy for a virgin. Still a virgin?”

  “Yep,” Roan growls. “And will stay that way too.”

  “I want to go,” Roux says, glowering at her brother. “To see Kayden.”

  “You shouldn’t have fucking gotten kicked out of class,” Roan snaps. “You know grades are fucking important.”

  Roux turns on the waterworks. “You never let me do anything!”

  “Because you’re seventeen,” I chime in. “And quite frankly, everyone gets tired of you tagging along. I sure as shit hate babysitting. Ask Renaldo. He knows how much I hate that bullshit.”

  “Fuck you, Jordy,” she hisses.

  “The little kitty has claws,” Renaldo observes, making his crew bowl over in laughter.

  “Nah,” I say, chuckling darkly. “You’re jailbait. Besides, that’s what my attorney’s for. Least she has tits.”

  Roan elbows me. “Don�
�t be a dick.”

  Roux doesn’t have to fake the hurt in her eyes. It’s natural. She’s not a fan of Samantha’s to begin with. I know this throws her insecurities in her face.

  But I’ll do anything to get Renaldo’s attention off my girl.

  Even if I have to be a dick to her.

  “I hate you guys,” she snarls, storming off, a sob echoing after as she pushes out the door.

  Thank fuck, she’s gone.

  “I’ll be there,” I tell Renaldo. “Since Kayden can’t do shit without me. Fucking pussy.”

  Renaldo laughs. “He’s just a kid.”

  “A kid who should be grounded. Like that kid.” I nod toward the door where Roux left. “Not trying to be a badass at parties.”

  “The cop’s kid took a cheap shot at my brother,” Renaldo grinds out. “I’m going to deal with him.”

  “Kayden made the mistake of buddying up to Cuntingham.” I shrug and laugh. “If you fuck with the cop’s kid, the cop is going to come after you.”

  “That cop won’t do shit,” Renaldo snarls. “I’ll burn his fucking house to the ground.”

  Roan stiffens.

  “Say that a little louder so the whole town hears,” I deadpan.

  Renaldo’s lips curl up into an evil grin. “Who the fuck do you think owns this town?”

  The front door opens and some people walk in. Garrett, dressed in a sharp suit, saunters in with a couple of other guys in suits. Hollis’s dad doesn’t greet us. Instead, he walks right past us, telling the guys with him how he’s going to knock down the wall on the other side of Renaldo and his gang to expand his office.

  Garrett and the suits make their way to Bob. Bob, clearly uncomfortable with Renaldo’s glare on him, fidgets.

  “Let’s get the fuck outta here,” Renaldo says. “I’ve got shit to do before tonight.”

  The assholes leave and pile into Renaldo’s SUV parked out front. As soon as they’re gone, I feel like I can fucking breathe.

  “Hey, boys,” Garrett says, coming to stand behind us. “Take a walk with me.”

  The guys he came in with settle into a booth while the three of us walk outside. Garrett takes us next door.

  “Used to be a dentist office,” Garrett says to me, gesturing at the space. “I’m going to gut it completely and redo it. It’ll be perfect for what I need. There’s an apartment above the space I’ll be looking to rent out if you know anyone looking. Probably have it ready by the spring.”

  “What do you want?” I ask.

  Garrett sighs, scratching his jaw, reminding me very much of Hollis in this moment. “I just wanted to make sure you two were okay.”

  “Just dandy,” I lie.

  “Have you seen your face?” Garrett asks, frowning. “I’m a physician. You should have called me.”

  “I don’t need your pity.”

  “It’s not pity…goddammit.” Garrett spears his fingers through his dark, golden blond hair in frustration, messing it up. “Where the fuck did Kelsey move my family to? This place is overrun by that Renaldo asshole and his thugs.”

  “Did you drag us over here to tell us what a shitty place we live in?” Roan challenges. “Because if so, we already fucking know.”

  Garrett frowns. “No…I…”

  “You bought the restaurant too?” I ask through gritted teeth.

  “I bought this entire strip of buildings to protect my interests.”

  Roan snorts. “Come on. Let’s go.”

  “I’m only going to make things better,” Garrett calls out to us as we reach the door. “That’s all I want to do.”

  “I don’t question your intentions,” Roan says, looking over his shoulder. “I just hope no one, especially your children, gets caught up in a war you don’t intend to start.”

  “No one is going to war, son.”

  Roan growls. “I am not your son, Garrett. And you waged war when you rolled into Renaldo’s territory and let it be known that you purchased something that he clearly believes he owns.”

  Roan’s right about that. Renaldo pulls Bob’s strings, so he’ll be fuming at this new development.

  “I won’t let that thug or the one seeing my daughter bully me,” Garrett calls out behind us. “They’re about to learn just how deep my pockets are. How fucking far my reach is.”

  I sure hope to fuck this guy knows what he’s doing, because right now, it feels like he might be making shit worse.

  Roux

  My heart is in my throat as I speed walk down the sidewalk, eager to get away from Renaldo. Roan and Jordy have never thought twice when it came to protecting me. I could practically hear their thoughts.

  Get the fuck out of here.

  So I bailed first chance I got.

  I’m not sure where I’m headed, but when I see a cop car parked outside of a couple of shops, I head that way. A crowd of people are frantically looking around.

  “What’s happening?” I ask an older woman who’s sitting on a bench watching the whole thing.

  “Little boy went missing. The momma said she turned her head for a minute and he was gone.”

  A cold, sick feeling slicks over me. I don’t think Renaldo and his guys are in the business of grabbing kids, but it still makes me worry.

  “What does he look like?” I ask. “I can help look.”

  The lady shrugs. Useless.

  Pushing through the crowd, I locate the cop. When I get his attention, I recognize him immediately. It’s Captain Fitzgerald. Same cop who was there the night Jordy shot all those men. His brows lift, clearly recognizing me as well.

  “A kid is missing? I can help.”

  He nods and lifts his phone to show me a picture. “His mom sent me this. Brown hair. Brown eyes. Three years old.”

  “Sebban!” a woman shouts. “Sebban!”

  I’m surprised to see Sidney rushing around calling for this child. I give Captain Fitzgerald a nod and then start pushing into shops looking around.

  “Sebban! Sebban!”

  They said they’ve turned the candy shop upside down and the gift store next door. No one seems interested in the yarn store, so I head in there. It’s quiet and vacated. The owner must be outside looking.

  “Hello? Anyone in here?”

  I stop and listen.

  Nothing.

  “I’m going to find you and then tickle you for making us worry,” I call out in a playful voice, hoping that will draw the kid out.

  A shuffle.

  Could have been outside…

  Or a cat.

  Another sound.

  “You’re really good at hide and go seek. Your momma isn’t that good at finding you.”

  A small giggle.

  My heart races in my chest as I look behind crates of yarn. If I were a kid, I’d definitely like hiding in a place like this. Reminds me when the Hoodlums would play hide and go seek with me at Cal’s house. They have a big house on the river near their campground and have tons of places to hide there. I’d wedge myself in the tiniest nook and have them searching for hours until they were worried sick.

  I peek behind the register, but it’s boring back there. No, if I were a little kid, I’d want to hide someplace fun. Skimming my gaze around the store, I find a trunk full of loose yarn meant for decoration.

  Yarn that is slightly moving.

  Prowling over to the trunk, I kneel down and say, “Where could Sebban be? We’ve looked everywhere for him.” Then I playfully gasp. “Except one spot. I should check the very last spot.”

  I reach through the yarn and tickle the toddler hiding there. His squeals of laughter are music to my ears. I manage to pull the kid from beneath the yarn, thankful he’s alive and well. His face is red from trying to breathe under all that yarn and his dark hair sticks up in every direction. It’s his eyes that have my jaw dropping.

  Oh my God.

  “Come here,” I croon, picking him up and holding him to my chest. “Come here, sweet boy.”

  “Again!” he che
ers. “Again!”

  “Let’s find your momma first,” I say, kissing his sweaty cheek. “Maybe we can play again later.”

  My mind is racing and trying to do math, which I really suck at, when I burst out of the yarn store onto the sidewalk. I nearly run into Jordy and Roan, who’ve come to see what the fuss is about.

  “What the…” Roan’s mouth parts as he darts his gaze between me and Sebban.

  Jordy clutches his shoulder as though to keep him standing.

  “Sidney’s son,” I say to him, pinning him with a “what the fuck” look.

  “They found him!” someone shouts, sending the crowd our way.

  Sidney bursts through them, her face red from exertion and her eyes wild with worry. She snatches Sebban from my grip, hugging him to her.

  “You worried Mommy!” she chides. “I was so scared!”

  “Again! Again!” Sebban cries out.

  Sidney realizes that Roan is gaping at her and sucks in a sharp breath. A sob chokes her. Her head shakes back and forth before she turns, rushing away from us.

  “What the fuck?” Roan rasps.

  I walk up to my brother noticing how pale he is. He’s trembling and I’m glad Jordy is there to keep him standing.

  “Is Sebban your son?” I ask, pinning my brother with a firm stare.

  He blinks away his daze, frantic amber eyes—eyes that match mine and that little boy’s—landing on me. “I…I don’t know. I didn’t know. How?”

  Jordy lets out a sigh. “Must’ve happened before you hooked up with the rat.”

  “Do you really think he’s mine?” Roan asks, confusion marring his features.

  Jordy and I exchange a look.

  “Yeah, man,” Jordy mumbles. “He looks more like you than he does her, and he certainly doesn’t look like the nerd she married.”

  “But if it’s true, why wouldn’t she tell me?”

  “Maybe by the time she realized it was yours, she was in love with the nerd and didn’t want to fuck up their perfect family?” Jordy suggests. “Sure explains why the nerd was all over my nut sack this morning threatening me.”

  Roan whips around. “What the hell, Jordy? Gio was threatening you?”

  “Told me to stay the fuck away from his family. He must know too. She can’t exactly hide the fact that kid looks like you and not Gio.”