..::.. Chapter 47 - A Weakness ..::..

I struggle. This fucker has me good. His eyes like onyx, staring at me with such hate.

I'd ask him why, why the deep hatred for a girl so young then?

Ah, yes. To him, I was there when Major died. I was an accomplice. It was my sweet mother and his low-life father.

Though, I know one thing is clear; Emmett is a coward. But most importantly, he taught me every muscle memory I know—the ones I use when adrenaline pumps through my veins and my life is in another's hands.

So, I make two fists and pound his face in, a knee to his gut, and he lets go. I land on my feet and stumble.

"Piece of shit," I spit.

He smirks as he wipes his split lip, but says nothing. He pushes me toward the door to my building. I slap his hand away.

"That's all you can do, you fucking coward. Push me around. A young girl, eighteen, was your biggest threat?" I chuckle. "Pathetic."

He's serious now, realizing what I know. He's slowly advancing and I'm backing away from him.

"Try me again," he says. His fingers beckon.

"Why, so you can end up like him? I'm not a child anymore. I'm your equal." I look at him real hard. I glance at his helper. "Then again, you did bring help. Guess I'm the bigger one."

Jenks' brows furrow, but he's silent. As he should be, I guess.

"You got one more chance to go inside," Emmett replies.

"Or what? You'd sick him on me?" I nod toward Jenks. Emmett is quiet. "Haven't you had enough of them running your life, Emmett?" I wave toward the limo. "You're a watchdog. Their enabler. They order, you bark. They don't give a shit about you. What would your real family think?"

He pushes a laugh through his nose.

I watch him. I catch the moment his eyes flicker away, wavering.

"Why this loyalty, all these years?" I ask. "You know the truth. He probably killed your mother, and here you are, still. He should have been your target for all the shit he did, not me."

I hit the brick building with a grunt. He caught up to me. My neck pinned beneath his hands. I fight him, but it's no use. He's strong. His malicious eyes on me, murderous.

But I wonder—assumptions sparking instantly—maybe there's more. There are reasons why he has stayed, tolerated a rough life.

"What is it?" I sputter; a taunt. "Half blooded siblings? Are you trying to protect them?"

His eyes give him away. I suck in a breath steadily, taking in air under his squeezing palms.

"Do it," I chockingly say. "Edward will kill you himself and cut off all the money you give them."

That just throws him over the edge. He's choking me now. At the corner of my eye, Jenks stands calmly, arms crossed over his chest. His head tilted as he watches. I begin to wonder if I'll die here and he'll allow it. For a moment, I let my eyes drift up to an ink blue sky … and shit … maybe he would allow it, and this will be my end.

Jasper calls, saving me once again. "Not here," he says from the limo. Emmett growls. He leaves me.

The doorman walks outside and sees the scuffle. He shouts and comes running. Emmett disappears into the limo along with Jenks. They drive off. I grapple for air, but also elation.

I've got Emmett gripped just as tightly as he had me. He's got a weakness, and I've found it.

The doorman is confused when I smile.

…