Under Locke

by Mariana Zapata

The snot-faced asshole that I only kind of, sort of hoped came down with an infectious illness in his private parts. But you know, something he could get medicine for.

“I’ll do it, Slim,”

Slim nodded, his eyes focused in on Dex. "Dude, when was the last time you did a piercing? I can't remember."

he balled it up and tossed it into the trash can, his expression unchanged. Dex said one word and one word only. "No."

"No, you ain't quittin' on us."

"You walk out, and I'll go get you."

"Babe, I've handpicked everythin' and everyone in here. I know what I want, and I get what I want," he breathed. "And I keep what's mine."

The only reason why I'd gotten up was because I felt something dabbing at my face. That "something" was a napkin Dex was holding while looking like he was trying his best not to smile.

Somehow I'd gone from a relatively content virgin to a woman who was constantly thinking about pierced genitals and nipples.

“Babe, you’re the sweetest little girl I’ve ever met. You deserve better than this broken-heart bullshit.” His fingers kneaded the muscles on my neck. “If I ever see that beautiful face cryin’ again over somethin’ that worthless sack of shit did, I’m gonna make your daddy regret ever meetin’ your ma, you got it?”

“There’s info in there about certificates and degrees and shit you can get from ’em,” Dex’s gruff voice explained. “Classes start next month. I’ll help you pay for ’em if you want, you know. You could go early before we open.”

“I thought I had more time….”

"He's pissing all over you." He shrugged. "It was about time."

Dex had calmly looked over at me then, with the thief just a few feet behind him. He’d swept a hand over my hair and, in a voice much louder than he normally used, murmured, “Baby, wait for me here, will you?” And then he ran his hand over my hair again.

I just stood there. Shocked, stunned, flabbergasted, whatever. All those things. Because, I mean, he’d asked. And he’d been affectionate in front of the other Widows, who were looking like they’d just discovered the wheel.

"I tried all night to think of somebody I trust as much as you, and I could only come up with one. One fuckin' person out of everybody in the world, babe," he let me know.

“Baby, have I or haven’t I warned you a million times that I say shit I don’t mean all the time? You expected me to tell your brother I wanted to fuck his little Ris the first time I saw you in shorts? Or should I have said somethin’ to you when I knew you were still pissed at me?”

“Baby, there’s nothing wrong with my judgment. I know exactly what I’m doin’, and I know damn well that if I ever see you smile at somebody like you did at Trey today, I’ll kill the poor bastard.”

“That shit made my chest burn. I hated it. You know what that’s like for me? Standin’ there thinkin’ to myself that I don’t wanna share you with anybody?” His neck visibly strained. “I can’t ignore this shit between us anymore, and I’m not gonna. Not when it makes so much sense.”

“Nobody’s ever made me feel the way you do.”

“But… I’m like your little rabbit. Your pet.” “Oh, you’re somethin’ of mine all right, Ris. But my pet? Nuh-uh,”

"You go, and I'm comin' after you, babe."

“I don't know what I'm doing," I blurted out, slamming my eyes shut. His chuckle was smooth and dark. "I know, my sweet baby."

“Goddamn.” His voice had taken on a husky tone that sounded like it was more than just sleep dragging it in. "In what fuckin’ universe did I think I could listen to your brother?"

He laughed softly. “I kinda think you’re a treasure.”

I kind of feel like I'm in over my head with you. Like I just learned how to swim and you want me to compete in the Olympics, and I don't want to disappoint you.

He loomed over me, his gaze and face intent, taking my hand and placing it on his chest. "You gotta open those pretty eyes, baby. You're the only one here." He slipped his hand down the center of my chest, straight down to cup the zipper of my jeans. "And I’m sure your romance books will tell you exactly how I feel about me bein’ here.”

"You know this is the first piercing I've done in three years?"

I needed to get away from the reminder of where Dex's pubic piercing had been, as I looked down at my lap, where it hadn't been.

"This is family now, Ritz. You don't have to hide shit from anybody."

Something indescribable flickered in his bright blue eyes, something that was related to fury and a distant cousin to murder.

“You’re my responsibility. You’re mine. And I won’t stay here like some punk. I think I’d do anythin’ for you, believe me, but I won’t do this.” He pressed his lips to my forehead, his breath hot. “I gotta do this.”

"You've gotta be the best thing I never knew I wanted."

“Babe, you got me as much as I got you, and that shit’s not changin’, you understand? Not today, tomorrow, not ever.” He slid his hand over mine, cupping it firmly to the shape of his thigh. “Got it?”

"He's mine," I enunciated slowly. "And my business stopped being your business when you left."

Don't mistake bein' a dick for bein' an idiot."

"You finish that fuckin' sentence, and I'll skin you alive."

You got the rest of your life to pay me back by doin’ shit I don’t like.”