Free Jobe: Alvarez Security Series by Maryann Jordan Page A

you sometime. There’s a lot I’d like to tell you and hope that you’ll at least give me a chance.”
    She sat stiffly, staring down at her plate. The words of Little John ran through her head, but all she could think of at the moment was the pain. The searing pain that she never wanted to feel again.
    “I…don’t think that’s a good idea, Jobe. It was…um, a long time ago that we were…um, friends and well, that’s where it should stay.” She stood up from her seat and took both plates to the sink. “You have a job to do here and I’ll say that I’m grateful. But as for anything else? Well…um, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
    She faced the window over the sink, hoping he would just walk out of the kitchen and continue his work so that she could leave with her dignity intact.
    Jobe had other ideas. He moved to stand behind her, his arms reaching around the counter on either side of her effectively caging her in. His body did not touch hers, but even after years he could feel her heat. The shampoo scent of her long hair was different than what he remembered but stirred him just as much.
    He leaned forward so that his lips were close to her ear and whispered, “Mackenna, I get that what I did was unforgivable. But swear to God, I couldn’t seem to help what I was doing. I’ve spent the past years regretting that decision and by the time I tried to write to you again, you were gone. Then I told myself to leave you alone and let you have your life. But now that our paths have crossed again, I’m gonna take that chance to at least have you look me in the eye without hating me.”
    He could feel her body stiffen, making sure to not lean back into him.
    “I don’t hate you anymore,” she choked out. “But I sure as hell don’t like you.”
    “Fair enough,” he admitted. “But I consider that a start.”
    “No, it’s not a start for me. It’s still part of the ending.”
    He touched his lips to the top of her head and pulled away walking toward the door. Looking back, he said, “I’m sorrier than you’ll ever know, Mackenna. But I’m not giving up on at least having the chance to talk to you.” With that, he turned and walked out of the door.

Chapter 6
    T ito Montalvo sat on the ratty couch in his apartment which also served as his office. Local leader of the Sixers, he usually had plenty of people around to do his bidding and today was no different. Jazzie and Waldo, his right-hand men, were lounging in front of the TV arguing over what to watch. His mind ran through the things that needed to be done by the end of the weekend, but visions of Gabrielle kept running through his thoughts. Bitch. I offered her a chance to be my main pussy and she fuckin’ leaves.
    He looked over to another gang member, a real up-and-coming go-getter. “Tank? Get over here.”
    The large, Hispanic man lumbered over, eyes on the leader. “You need somethin’, boss?”
    “You in the car the other day where Gabby’s hanging out?”
    “Yeah. She’s in some house where some other girls live. Looks like some kind of school, with some white bitch running the place. Bitch came out with a bat the other day, but some big fuckers followed her so we left.”
    “Keep an eye on Gabby. Don’t make no threats, but you report back to me what you see. And if that skinny ass white bitch thinks she’s gonna disrespect the Sixers, she’s got a real surprise comin’ her way.”
    “Sure thing, boss. You want me to start now?” Tank asked.
    “No, fucker. I want you to sit on your ass for a while first,” Tito growled sarcastically.
    Duly chastised, Tank headed out of the apartment. Tito moved to the kitchen table and snapped his fingers. Jazzie and Waldo turned off the TV and joined him. Getting down to business, they began their meeting.
    Tito had every intention of making the Sixers one of the biggest street gangs in Richland but knew the competition was stiff. Crips and Bloods were at war with each other,