Nicky the Driver (Underboss Insurrection, #2)

by Cate C. Wells

He places his hand firmly on the small of my back, and even though I can’t work my arms and legs, even though there’s nothing in my brain except the whomp whomp sound when you roll down the back window in the car and leave the front windows up, I let him lead me into the foyer, and I stand next to him, waiting for Vinny to bring down my University of Pyle duffel bag, the red satchel purse Mom bought me for graduation, and a pair of sliders.

“Women aren’t action figures, man. They don’t lose value ’cause someone got in their box.” He snorts a laugh. “Where do you get this shit?” “TikTok.”

Yeah, humans might all be sinners, but we’re habitual cowards, too. If we don’t have to see it, we look past.

I want to be so strong that no one can ever hurt Mattie, nothing can ever destroy me from the inside. Strong enough to control my brain. So my brain never ends up in chunks in my brother’s hair. But yeah. I guess a dog would be nice.