The Wrath Walker (The Wrath Series Book 1) by Matthew Newson (moboreader txt) 📕

match. Tell me, do you feel like a big man right now, Scott? I’ll hear you say the words please,” I mocked.

“I didn’t mean to offend you, Brandon. I only want you to leave Elizabeth and I alone.”

“Let me tell you something else, Scott. I know things are over between Elizabeth and me. I have known that for a long time seeing how I don’t call, text, or try to contact her in any way. As far as I’m concerned, she’s all yours, so good for you. I have a lot more going on in my life than this petty high school garbage, so why don’t you cut the crap, and stay out of my face?”

When I stopped talking, I noticed I had walked Scott about two feet back, and I was more than ready for a fight.

Scott was terrified, and I was sure he would run back to Lizzie and tell on me like a child does to one of their siblings. My eyes were locked on him as he fumbled around for an apology to get him out of the predicament he firmly placed himself in.

“We’re both adults here, Brandon. There’s no need for this to get physical. As Elizabeth’s fiancé, I felt it was necessary to defend her honor.”

Pathetic weakling. He used Lizzie to get him out of the trouble his big mouth got him into.

“Yeah, defend her honor, well that’s good for you. Let me ask you a question, tough guy, do you know what goes on in there?” I pointed to the to-go door.

Scott looked over at the door and back at me. “It’s a restaurant, they serve food,” he said with a confused look on his face.

“Just food, huh, what’s in the bag, Scott?”

“It’s lunch for Elizabeth and me. Are you okay?”

“Do you know who owns this restaurant?”

“No. Elizabeth and I like the lunch specials, mainly the soup and salad.”

I noticed others had started to look at us, so I backed down my intensity and relaxed my posture. Part of me felt like he was telling the truth “The owner is not one you want to be associated with. If I were you, I’d find another restaurant, and tell Elizabeth to do some digging on what really goes on in this place.”

I turned my back to Scott and faced the to-go door.

“Are you sure you’re not a part of the Amaras?” Scott spoke just loud enough for me to hear. “Because you sure act like it.”

He retreated after his last attack, and I kicked myself as he walked away from what transpired between us. He wanted me to react, and I played right into his hands. I knew he’d run back to Lizzie and tell her what happened, and further push her away from me. A part of me still held on to a sliver of hope that one day we’d get back together. However, that would never happen if I kept having heated run-ins with her and Scott, but I pushed that from my mind. I had come for a specific reason, and I wouldn’t let myself become distracted from that.

I entered the restaurant with its elegant white walls adorned with various Tuscan landscapes that were accented by the black crown molding. My mouth watered as I breathed in the heavenly scent of marinara, but I ignored my stomach’s desire to eat. Scott did have one thing right, and that was the food was amazing there. I would never utter those words aloud for anyone to hear.

Joey Abbate stood at the chest high to-go counter with his arms stretched out on top of it as he leaned against the counter to survey all who entered his establishment. He used a high counter so no one could tell if he had a gun or not, and it also contained a hidden one-inch-thick steel plate within it. All Joey had to do was duck behind it if someone started shooting at him. The only reason I knew that was because Ron made me get us lunch from here all the time, and I was there when they brought the steel in and installed it. When I asked why they were installing the massive plate, the workers just said it had something to do with reinforcement for the structure.

Joey had that same cocky smile on his face I’d grown to loath over the years.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the city’s most disgraced officer gracing me with his presence. What did I do to deserve this great honor? I’ll tell you what, anything you want to eat today is on the house for previous services rendered,” he said as he laughed to himself.

“That’s really funny Joey, but I’m not here for the food, or any other services you provide here.” I tried to keep my desire to pull him over the counter in check.

His left eye twitched at my implication of the illegal activity that went on there, but he didn’t take the bait. “Honestly, I have to admit I’m glad you came by, Brandon.”

“Why is that?”

“This way it saves me the time from having to write a thank you card for taking care of Ron.” Joey released another round of laughs at my expense. “How did it make you feel? I bet it felt good, right? But now you’re feeling a little guilty about it all. Don’t worry, all that will pass, and it will get easier every time you do it. Well, at least that’s what I’ve been told on TV.”

“I’m sure you’ve heard that and didn’t experience it firsthand in your life. But I have to thank you for your confession about Ron, and your illegitimate business dealings.”

“Come on, you and I both know that will never hold up in court, top cop. This is just two friendly guys running their mouths and having some fun. Besides, I hear you were there when our friend died, and we all know things between you two were less than great.”

“I’m not your friend, Joey, and