Free The Last Execution by Jerrie Alexander

her going more than once. “We’ll all keep an eye out for Jason. If he tries to come near...well...I’m sort of hoping he’ll violate his probation. Then I’ll send him back to prison.”
    “Exactly what can he do?”
    Leigh’s mother had remained quiet until now. The heart and soul of the family, she tended to organize and analyze while Leigh and her dad were quick to act.
    “I honestly don’t know. I told him to go to hell.”
    “Can they force you to agree to a paternity test?” her mother asked.
    “Not according to Karen Parker. If they find a judge who’ll order one, we’ll fight it. If Anderson contacts me again, I’m to refer him to her.”
    “We don’t scare easily.” Her dad sounded much calmer than before.
    “Anderson threatened scandal. I said bring it on.”
    Her mother reached across to the laundry basket, picked up one of Ethan’s shirts, and held it to her chest.
    “You’re warning us, right?” Her mother frowned deeply. “They’re friends with Atlanta’s most important people. One of these could be a judge who’ll allow a lawsuit.”
    “It’s a possibility we have to face.” Leigh’s spirits sunk even lower. “And who know what else he’ll try.”
    ****
    Tuesday, April 27, 7:00 p.m .
    Jason parked his Lexus GX on the side street of Woodland Park. Anywhere else, he’d turn off the engine and roll down the windows. Not here. He left the car and the air-conditioner running. Neither he nor his car belonged in this disgusting part of town. He’d spent a long time living with drug dealers, thieves, and cold-blooded killers. You couldn’t trust them. Vermin. Every one of them made him sick to his stomach.
    The Carrington money and Jason’s penchant for using his fists had kept him from bending over for every swinging dick in prison. He’d fought his way out from under his share of sweaty, stinking bastards. They’d mistakenly thought because of his looks he’d be an easy fuck. When he met Vick Coventry, life changed for the better. The desperate-for-cash con took Jason under his wing and became Jason’s protector-enforcer. Money talked louder inside than it did out here on the streets.
    Vick had been on parole for the past two years. Before he got out, he’d used his contacts outside to keep track of Leigh. Since his release, he’d remained on Jason’s payroll, making regular visits to bring information on Leigh and her bastard kid. Jason knew everything about her and her parents. She had no secrets from him.
    He’d started planning how he’d kill her the day the handcuffs snapped around his wrists. First, he wanted to play with her, spend time making her squirm. The bitch thought she could walk away from him. Tell him not to call or come around anymore. Nobody fuckin’ told him what to do. Nobody dismissed him. Especially not a woman.
    “Shit.” Startled by the door opening, he reached for his gun. “You trying to get shot?” His hand relaxed when Vick settled in the seat.
    “I taught you not to get caught off guard. You gotta be faster than the bastard coming after you or you’re dead.” Vick leaned his head back and breathed in deeply through his nose. “New car smell. Better than a clean woman.”
    “Turns you on, does it?” Jason hated that eventually he’d kill the closest thing to a friend he’d ever had. Strictly to clean up any possible mess, Vick would have to die.
    “What’s up with the SUV? You’d pick up more pussy in a sports car.” Vick grinned. “Unless you’re into soccer moms.”
    “I’m buying a booster seat next and having it installed. This car shouts ‘I’ll be a good father’ to anyone interested.” Jason marveled at having to explain the simplest things to Vick. He was street wise, and at forty-five years old, he could snap your neck with ease. Nobody on the yard out-bench-pressed Vick, but he was dumber than the weights he lifted.
    Vick smiled at Jason like a proud papa. “I get it. Good thinking.”
    “You find out why