Strike (Completion Series) Read Online Free

living, you’re not very good at it.”
    I couldn’t help my snarky reply . “It was my first time, but I’m sure I’ll get better with practice.”
    “That’s a scary thought. You might want to try a real job.” Condemnation dripped from his voice.
    Anger laced mine . “I do have a real job. I work at Tasty Burger.”
    His l aughter exploded into the car. I tried not to let it hurt my pride. After being stripped practically naked by him, I had very little left. He didn’t say anything until we entered my section of town. The rundown houses were actually considered the upper-class area. Five minutes later, I told him to pull into a small, decrepit trailer park.
    “You live here?”
    “Yes. It’s the fifth one on the right.”
    The travel trailer was dark and there were no streetlights, so the entire area looked sinister. Who was I kidding? It was sinister and that’s why I almost landed in jail.
    The car stopped and he turned off the loud engine. My hand went to the door handle as I looked at his profile. “I still don’t understand why you did this, but thank you.”
    The headlights were still on and Reed looked out through the windshield. I followed the direction of his gaze and saw my little sister’s cat pacing in front of the trailer door.
    “Umm, that’s Don Gato.”
    “Is he yours?”
    “My sister ’s.”
    He wasn’t good at hiding the shock in his voice. “You live here with your parents?”
    “No.” We lived in a one-room travel trailer and it was nothing to be proud of. “I’m the only mother she has.”
    “How old is she?”
    “Six.”
    His head jerked in my direction . Though I couldn’t see his face in the dark, I could hear the censure in his voice. “You left your six-year-old sister here while you were out committing a felony?”

Chapter Four
     
    I shouldn’t have said anything more, but him thinking I’d leave my sister made me angry. “My brother’s inside too; he’s fifteen. I work some days and some nights; whenever I can get the hours. It’s not ideal, but it’s our only choice. My brother is very responsible.” I spoke so fast, my words tumbled together.
    Reed gave a loud sigh. “Fuck.”
    I did have some pride left because it came flaring back to life. “Don’t fucking pity us.”
    I threw open my door and so did he. He followed me up to the door and Don Gato rubbed against his pant leg.
    Traitor.
    I was back in my territory and feeling stronger. “You need to leave now.”
    “I’m coming inside.”
    “No.”
    “Yes.” There was steel in his voice.
    “You’ll upset my brother.”
    “Too fucking bad. Open the door.”
    It pissed me off , but I had little choice. I knocked on the door. The small curtain to the right of the door moved aside. An inside light came on and a slight thump sounded when Jon lifted the two-by-four barring the door. Our lock broke a few months ago, so I’d bought a padlock for the outside when we were away and hardware to hold the wood in front of the door when we were inside.
    I walked up the two metal steps . Reed followed. Don Gato scampered past us and ran to the back. He liked to snuggle with my sister, Bitsy, at night.
    Jon stood inside the door dressed in his boxers. He was skinny and tall, though he’d just begun filling out some. When dressed, most people looked at Jon with contempt. He’d adopted a Goth persona; the entire black underlord thing, including makeup. But he was my brother and he could do just about anything and I’d love him. I saw his body stiffen when he looked at Reed.
    “Jon, this is Mr. Tyler.”
    Reed put out his hand. “Please call me Reed.”
    Jon looked down at Reed’s hand and I could actually see the minute his sleepy brain processed the full name. His head jerked up as he looked closely at our guest.
    “You’r e Reed Tyler.” Jon’s voice cracked on the last name.
    “Yes . Are you going to shake my hand or should I put it down?” Reed said with humor.
    Jon’s hand shot out and he