Home > The Fighter (Barrett Boys #2)(2)

The Fighter (Barrett Boys #2)(2)
Author: Jordan Ford

“Hi, Latitia.” Jade walks forward, a big smile taking over her face.

“How’s it going?” Latitia gives me a sideways glance before focusing her attention on Jade.

They get into a quick conversation about Latitia’s shift at the hospital, the fact that Jade will take both children to her house-cleaning job in a few hours, and then Latitia will watch Arley while Jade works her evening shift at the restaurant up the road.

No wonder she’s always so exhausted. She never gets a break. There’s no way I’m letting her take a third job.

I step around the kids and head for the kitchen, figuring Jade and I could both use a coffee.

Listening to her conversation with half an ear, I remember the first time I saw her. Angelo had just brought me to Cruz’s place to see if I could get initiated into the gang.

I was alone, stressed out after losing my brother, and I needed an anchor to cling to. Angelo and I met doing community service, and we got to talking. By the time my three-month stint was up, I knew I needed a place to stay. Angelo had contacts near San Diego, and I figured, why not? I couldn’t spend the days continuing to search for Michael. He’d disappeared.

I’d lost everything, and joining the Diablos felt like a saving grace.

Jade was sitting on the sofa when I walked in to meet Cruz, her small hand resting on her pregnant belly. She looked too young to be in that position.

Young and afraid.

Her sad eyes stole my heart, and I spent the first few months thinking I was in love with her.

But I wasn’t.

We’re just friends, and I think of her more like a big sister now. I’ve tried to imagine being more sometimes, giving Arley that whole mother-father experience. But it would never work.

I was charged with keeping an eye on Cruz’s girlfriend, driving her to doctor’s appointments, making sure she never left his compound without a tail. It was during that time that she confessed how afraid she was and begged me to free her from Cruz.

“I can’t spend the rest of my life with that man.” She’d wept.

“But you’re carrying his baby.”

That had only made her cry more. “I don’t want her growing up around him. He’ll ruin her like he ruins everything.”

She was right, but I had no idea how to help her.

Until the night she gave birth to Arley. I didn’t mean to be there, but I was the only one around. Cruz was out of town. I rushed her to the hospital and had to stay. Had to be her support person.

The second I heard Arley’s cry and saw her red little limbs flailing, I knew I had to get her away from Cruz.

Jade was right. Pure innocence would be stolen, trampled, turned into something caustic and broken. She couldn’t be raised in a gang or live in constant fear of her father. Who knew what Cruz would end up doing to her? There was no doubt he would have used her for his own gains. He doesn’t know how to treat people any other way.

I had to get them out.

And I did.

It took a few months of planning, but we made the escape, and Cruz has never suspected anything. At least I don’t think he has. He broke a lot of shit when he realized she was gone, including several bones of the guy who’d been charged with looking after her that night. I felt kind of bad about that. It was my idea to drug him into a coma so she could slip away.

Holding my composure while he beat the shit out of the guy was one of the toughest things I’ve ever done.

We made sure Jade and Arley took off on a fight night, so I couldn’t be implicated. I sometimes wonder if I should have gone with her, but someone needs to keep an eye on Cruz… and they need the money my fights provide.

I give basically all of my cut to Jade and Arley. It’s not much, but they’re safe and happy. Hopefully, one day, Jade will find a nice guy to take care of her. Keep her safe. Maybe even take her out of California.

I’d miss her and Arley, but more than anything, I want them to be carefree. I want Jade to answer her front door without being overcome by fear first. I want her to walk down the street without feeling like she has to glance over her shoulder every ten feet.

I want her to be liberated to live a normal, safe, happy life.

Isn’t that what everyone ultimately wants?

I can’t imagine it for myself.

My life has been one big fight after another. Except maybe at the ranch.

I shake my head, not wanting to go there. Even that utopia ended with a battle. A battle that destroyed everything.

No, that “normal” happy life… that’s not for me.

I’m never gonna end up safe and happy. I already know that. And I’m definitely not gonna find a girl to take care of, a girl to fall in love with.

Who would honestly put up with me anyway?

 

 

2

 

 

No One Gets It

 

 

I don’t know how much longer I can put up with this shit.

I hate it here.

A group of students bustle toward me, and I press my back against the lockers, hoping to hide myself in plain sight.

I get one cursory glance and a snicker, but that’s about it.

With a sigh, I hug my binder to my chest and keep walking. Only two more periods to go, and then I’m out of this hellhole.

Laughter scuttles past me, and I glare at the girls who just flounced by. They act like high school is this super wonderful, super fun experience.

They’re freaking delusional.

High school sucks.

Everything sucks.

The pain in my chest expands, making it hard to breathe.

Keep it together, Kena!

I clench my teeth and round the corner, desperate for the bell to ring. At least during class, I can hide in the back row, pretending to work. The teachers don’t pay me much attention, not like they used to.

Damn, I can’t believe how much I once loved front and center.

Front row. First with my hand up. Knew freaking everything.

How did everyone not despise me?

Maybe they did, but I was oblivious to it, because I was having the perfect, happy high school experience. I was dating a cute, sweet guy. I was surrounded by the best friends ever, and I was on my way to being La Jolla High’s valedictorian.

But then everything got broken.

“Hey, Chan.” Someone hisses my last name.

I glance over my shoulder, instantly tensing.

Braxton Hill tips his head, and I’ve got no choice but to follow him into the empty chemistry lab.

“The bell’s gonna ring any minute,” I warn him.

“I’ve got practice after school.” He frowns, holding out a small roll of bills.

I pull them straight, checking the amount and nodding. “I’ll do it tonight.”

"Don't make them all As. It'll look suspicious."

I roll my eyes and glare at him. “I’m not a complete dumbass."

“No, you're the opposite.” He snickers, shoving his hands into his letterman jacket pockets. “Which is why I'm asking for your help."

I nod, reminding myself that what I’m doing is a good, kind thing.

Sure, it’s totally illegal, but it makes me a little cash, and it helps Braxton out.

If his GPA doesn’t go up by a few extra points, he’s not getting into college in the fall. Which means he misses out on his football scholarship.

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