Read Online Bittersweet Chronicles: Pax by Selena Laurence - Free Book Online

The big guy lumbers over and pulls out a gun, which he lodges between a couple of my ribs. It’s not too comfortable, and I hear Carly’s quick intake of breath. It matches the sharp throb of my heart, which is now in my throat.
    “Maybe I haven’t made myself clear enough, son,” Lagazo growls. “You’re not in a position of power here. Carly will do what I say when I say to do it, and you don’t have any choice in the matter.”
    This is the moment at which a smarter guy might shut the hell up and just let things play out, but I can’t. I’ve never been able to stand by and let things happen. It’s just not who I am.
    “You may have the guns, but I can promise you, if something happens to me, there will be things raining down on your head that you can’t even imagine. I am a rich guy’s son, and more than that, I’m a rich guy’s very well-loved son. If you hurt me, or any of my friends, my family will hunt you down. They’ll never stop, I promise you that. And they aren’t just rich. They have connections to anyone and anywhere they need.”
    It’s all true, and maybe that’s why Lagazo seems to take it seriously. He’s not scared, but he does seem thoughtful, and he calls off the gun-toting freak at my side.
    “Well, we seem to be at an impasse here. I can’t put a dollar amount to what charming Carly has cost me. But I am willing to propose a compromise.”
    I nod at him, but my heart is racing in fear of what he might suggest.
    “What is it?” Carly asks, her voice trembling a bit.
    “If Carly doesn’t work for me, you’ll need to.” He looks pointedly at me.
    Carly shivers under my arm, and I open my mouth to protest yet again.
    “Hold on there, Romeo,” Lagazo says, putting a finger up.
    I clamp my mouth shut.
    “You want to protect the girl or not?” He smirks. “I have some extra errands that need to be run—some trips up to Birmingham, some local stuff. My guys have other things to keep busy. You’ll do just fine. I get you for thirty days.”
    “No way—” Carly interjects.
    “Deal,” I say, putting out my hand to Lagazo.
    “What? Pax, are you crazy?” she squawks at me, her eyes wide in disbelief.
    “Carly,” I grit between my teeth. “Just be grateful that the man is willing to compromise with us. We don’t have much of a position to negotiate from here.”
    All that keeps cycling through my head is that I’ll do anything to keep Carly from working in a strip club. Somewhere deep inside, I know that this is a huge mistake, but I just can’t bear the idea of her being humiliated like that. If someone has to be destroyed over this, better me than her.
    “Smart boy.” Lagazo grins. “I’ll also need some extra cash to offset the loss of Carly’s assets in the club.”
    My stomach churns. “How much?”
    “I think twenty K ought to do it. That’s in addition to the original one hundred.”
    “Fine.” I try hard to keep my voice steady. “I’ll have it to you in twenty-four hours.”
    Lagazo smiles. “Well son, looks like you got yourself a deal. Boys, take Carly and her friend here home. And make sure he has Nicky’s number so he can call in to get his assignments.” He looks me over one last time. “Yeah,” he murmurs. “This oughta be fun.”
    **
    By the time we get back to my house, Vaughn is halfway to crazy town. I scowl at the broken lock on my front door as I walk in.
    “Pax! What the hell, man? God, where have you two been? Did they hurt you?” He takes Carly’s arms and holds her still so he can inspect her. “I’ve been on the phone with my buddy at the Portland P.D., trying to decide what to do.  I didn’t call the local police because you was so opposed to getting them involved, but if you hadn’t shown up in the next hour, I was heading straight to the downtown station.”
    I flop down on the sofa, exhausted, the last of the adrenaline draining out of my body so quickly that I feel a little faint. Carly looks pale and like she