SWNOVELS Chapter My CEO 169
169 Surprise After Surprise
(Jayden)
+25 BONUS
Before he can finish, Winona's hand shoots out, grabbing his wrist and twisting it hard.
The guy yelps in pain, dropping to one knee, and Winong doesn't hesitate. She delivers a swift kick to his side, sending him sprawling onto the pavement.
Then finishes it off with a smash to his balls.
The three of us men in the SUV all wince.
"Don't fuck with me. She comin' home now!" Winona pulls a pistol out of her jeans pocket. "Any you other fuckers want to mess with this mamma and get your brains spread over the footpath? Go right ahead." I'm stunned. When the fuck did she get a gun?
I've never seen this side of Winona before, and it's a shock to realize just how capable she is of defending herself. She doesn't even flinch, her focus entirely on Cass as she holds the gun steady towards the other men.
Cass takes a step back, her eyes wide as she stares at Winona. "What the hell?"
"Get in the car. Now!" Winona says, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Don't make me beat your
ass."
"No."
"You're coming with me or, so help me, I'll walk away and leave you here playing your tough little street game," Winona threatens,
Cass hesitates, but then she nods. Winona lowers the gun.
But one of the other guys comes up to Cass. "You should stay and play. My man there can teach you both a lesson." He grabs at her arm.
Mac sneaks the SUV closer to the action.
Cass looks at this other guy and gives him a solid gut punch. "Fuck off, home boy."
Winona grabs her arm and drags her back toward the SUV.
Mac and Tito both chuckle. "They know the way. They grow up street. Can always tell. Respect." He hits his heart with his fist twice. "Don't you be upsetting her pretty boy. She'll take your ass out! And her little SIS."
The doors unlock and Winona practically shoves Cass into the backseat, then slides in after her, slamming the door shut,
The guy yells after them. "I know your crib. I'll come get you!"
Mac floors it, and we're out of there before the guy on the pavement even has a chance to get up.
As we drive away, Cass glares at Winona, her arms crossed defiantly. "What the actual fuck was that?"
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169 Surprise After Surprise
+25 BONUS
"That was me making sure you don't get yourself killed Winona snaps back, her voice sharp. "You think you're tough, Coss? You have no clue what you're dealing with out there." "Bullshit. I did fine. Been doing fine all this time without you saving me."
"You clean?" Winona demands.
Cass stares at her.
"Answer me! You clean or not?" Winona grabs Cass by the arm and pulls it out to check. "You probably inject somewhere can't be seen anyway." "Get off me you crazy fuck! I'm clean." Cass swats Winona's hands away.
"It's crazy sister, to you. Watch your mouth."
"Crazy fucking sister is right," Cass mutters.
"You better believe it."
"I was fine by the way."
Winona sits back, still holding onto Cass's arm. "Guess the junkies and pimps around here are all upstanding citizens now, huh?"
Cass yanks her arm away, glaring. "You don't get to swoop in here with your high-and-mighty attitude and start acting like some kind of savior." Winona rolls her eyes. "Savior? Please. I'm just trying to keep your dumb ass alive. You think running with these street idiots is gonna end well?" Cass scoffs. "Better than playing house with some rich prick and pretending everything's fine while your life is splashed over the news channels." Rich prick? I think. Such a lovely young lady. I continue to watch these two. It's remarkable how alike they are considering they've never met. Winona shoots her a warning look. "Cass, knock it off. You're not impressing anyone with this bullshit."
"Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot you are the expert on me. NOT."
"You're old enough to know better and stop being a bitch, worrying your mother like that."
"You're the bitch."
"You are."
Cass doesn't respond, just stares out at the passing streets, her jaw clenched.
"Don't ever make me do that again." Winona finally leans back, rubbing her temples. "I almost shit myself out there."
Mac and Tito start to laugh and I'm not sure if I should.
Winona laughs too.
Cass joins her. "Crazy fucking sister."
169 Surprise After Surprise
"That makes two of us."
Winona tells them the address where Cass lives and my private work line tone sounds.
What the hell? I told them not to contact me unless it was urgent.
I take out my phone and look at the text.
It's Ashlyn. I need to see you. Urgent.
Holy shit. How can she even text me from in there? It must be a prank. She can't have a phone.
I text back.
Who is this?
Ashlyn. Jayden I'm sorry. About everything. Don't tell anyone about this
I'm blocking this number
Jayden. Come see me. I'm still pregnant.
This is not funny
Your safe word is torpedo
My blood runs cold. No one else could know that.
No one else even knows I have a safe word.
I'll work it out
Still pregnant? How? Didn't the doctors say she'd lost the baby before Palisades Park?
Maybe she's just saying that to get me there. To play mind games. To try and fuck my life up again.
I'm not even sure I'm allowed to visit her. I'll have to check with my lawyer, Daniel.
"When we get to your house, pack your bags." Winona says to Cass.
"Why?"
"You heard them. They know where you live. I'm not leaving y
"Fine."
"Fine."
both there."
I can't tell Winona about this text right now. She has enough to deal with and this needs to be in therapy. It's almost triggered me now let alone Winona. My anger burns inside. Why can't I just live my life in