Chapter 99 Misfire
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For someone like Nathan–the twisted freak he was–this must have been an enormous
reward.
Even from where Lucas stood outside, he could see the man’s back go stiff. One of Nathan’s hands trembled slightly, the other hovering in midair with nowhere to rest. That reaction alone was enough to make Lucas snap.
He yanked his arm free from Jimmy’s grip, shoving the boy hard before lunging for the door again.
But before he could reach it, a fist came flying at his face.
“Misunderstanding, my ass!” Jimmy growled between clenched teeth.
He’d seen everything through the window too.
He wasn’t thrilled about his sister holding hands with some man, but orders were orders- and Ethan had given him a task to complete.
The punch landed squarely, leaving Lucas dazed and reeling. His head buzzed with pain, the world spinning as he staggered backward, too stunned to react.
Before he could even catch his breath, a hand clamped tightly over his mouth.
His eyes widened as he turned and found himself staring into the grinning face of a kid with dyed yellow hair.
“What’re you lookin‘ at?” the boy sneered. “We’ve come to take care of you.”
Together, the two teens dragged Lucas down the hallway toward the stairwell. He was a grown man, yes–but the strength of two teenage boys in their prime was not to be underestimated. Especially these two.
Jimmy and the blond had grown up in rough neighborhoods, gotten into plenty of fights, and didn’t shy away from using their fists. Lucas, on the other hand, had spent years drinking and smoking. His body wasn’t what it used to be.
In the dim stairwell, Jimmy laid into him.
Lucas couldn’t even fight back. Blow after blow landed fast and hard, leaving him gasping.
“You’re out of your mind,” Lucas choked out, struggling. “You’re a kid. I could have
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Chapter 99 Misfire
arrested. You’ll go to jail for this!”
“Then bring me some proof first.”
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Jimmy slammed another punch into his jaw, his bangs lifting just enough to reveal the cold gleam in his eyes.
Lucas’s teeth clacked hard against his tongue. He bit down by accident, and the pain nearly made him howl.
The blond–haired boy watched with barely concealed sympathy.
Jimmy didn’t mess around when it came to fights, and he never left evidence. He’d come prepared. The stairwell security camera was already covered with a balloon. If Lucas thought he could get him in trouble, he was dreaming.
“You saw it for yourself,” Jimmy said coldly. “My sister has a new boyfriend. They’re doing just fine. So keep your distance. Don’t show your face in front of her again.”
That was the line Ethan had tasked him with delivering.
Stella really had a new boyfriend?
Lucas was stunned. And furious.
. But before he could respond, he lunged suddenly, swinging a fist of his own at Jimmy.
Jimmy turned just in time, dodging most of it, though the edge of the punch grazed his mouth. A bitter, metallic taste spread through his mouth.
He wiped the blood from the corner of his lips with his thumb, his sharp eyes locked onto Lucas. “Remember what I said.”
Then he turned and walked out of the stairwell.
The blond followed, still wide–eyed. “You’re not gonna hit back? You used to beat guys like that senseless.”
Jimmy pulled a water bottle from his backpack and swished it in his mouth before spitting into a trash bin. “Forget it.”
Another punch and things would’ve gone too far. Stella would’ve had to deal with the fallout. That wasn’t what he wanted.
He wasn’t living in the slums anymore. He had to learn some restraint.
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Pulling out his phone, he sent a message to Ethan.
“Ethan, job’s done.”
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Ethan read the message with a rare flicker of amusement crossing his otherwise cold face.
“How’d you manage it?”
His only instruction to Jimmy had been to make sure Lucas never got a chance to speak to Stella.
“I hit him hard enough he can’t talk.”
Back in Room 1004, Stella had just found the tube of scar cream on Jenn’s bedside table. Holding it delicately between her fingers, she turned toward the sofa, only to pause as the door opened from the outside.
“I’m back,” Jimmy announced, gripping the straps of his backpack with both hands, his gaze drifting toward the man seated on the couch.
“Hey, long time no see!” the blond added with a grin when he saw Stella.
Stella hadn’t expected Jimmy to bring a friend along, but she chuckled. “Looks like neither of you are going to evening study.
The blond pouted. “Don’t ruin a perfectly good mood by mentioning school.”
Jimmy’s eyes dropped to the ointment in her hand. “What’s that for?”
Stella gestured toward Nathan. “He’s got two little scars on his hand. Didn’t we buy two boxes? I figured I’d give him one to try.”
Jimmy pressed his lips together and took the ointment from her hand. “You bought this for me. If he needs one, he can get his own.”
Then he turned–and really looked at the man for the first time.
There was something strangely familiar about him, though Jimmy couldn’t immediately place where he’d seen him before.
But one thing was clear: this man was a lot older than Stella. Much older.
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