by K. Webster
Little Hoodlum
Copyright © 2020 K Webster
Cover Design: All by Design
Photo: Adobe Stock
Editor: Emily A. Lawrence
Formatting: Champagne Book Design
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information and retrieval system without express written permission from the Author/Publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Title Page
Copyright
About This Book
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Epilogue
Playlist
Acknowledgements
About Author K Webster
Books by K Webster
There are few people in this world I thought I could count on.
My brother. My two best friends. And him.
Jordy Martinez.
Problem is, Jordy thought protecting me was his sole mission in life.
He gave up everything for me and my brother, including his freedom.
Losing him left me hollow and empty.
But after three long years, I’ve learned to live without him.
Until I get mixed up with a guy who has dangerous connections in Hood River and everything begins to crash down around me just in time for my senior year of high school.
Possessive boyfriend with a penchant for violence.
Best friend turned enemy.
Fights with my big brother.
Everything’s a mess and I’m not sure there’s any fixing it.
I might just need that bully ex-convict who’ll do anything—again—to keep me safe.
All I want is peace, happiness, and love.
And I won’t go down without a fight in order to get it.
I’m a Hoodlum after all.
They call me Little Hoodlum, but I’m not so little anymore…
To my husband, the original Hoodlum.
Jordy
March—Twenty-One Years Old
Eyes on the wall. Straight ahead. Ignore the fuck out of this guy. If I blink or wince or even drop my gaze, Hauser and his gang will be all over my ass like stink on shit.
“Yo, pussy kid,” Hauser barks out. “I’m talking to you. Your sugar daddy’s not around to protect you.”
Don’t look at him. Don’t look at him. Don’t look at him.
Fuck it.
I crack my neck on my shoulders and drag my stare to Eddie Hauser, a big fucker with a penchant for violence. He’s been taunting me ever since he transferred in here eight months ago.
“I don’t need protecting,” I growl. “Especially not from you.”
He pops his knuckles and glowers at me. “The fuck you say?”
“You know what I said, motherfucker.” I puff my chest out and take a threatening step toward him. “Back the fuck off me or I’m going to make you.”
His two goons crowd him from behind. Sure, they’re all three big, and together they’ll easily kick my ass.
But I’m bigger.
Meaner.
Pissed at the world.
They can fucking try me. I’ll go down swinging.
“The three stooges here giving you a problem?” a guard named Dave asks. “Solitary missed them. Just say the words, Martinez.”
Hauser’s nostrils flare. “Nah, man,” he says to Dave while staring me down. “We were just talking to the kid. No problems here.”
I smirk in triumph, knowing I thwarted another ass whipping. It pays to know people. Dave may be a guard, but he’s a cool guy if you don’t give him shit. He has looked out for me since the day I walked my broody ass into Oregon State Penitentiary.
“Remember what I said,” I call out to Hauser as they start to walk off.
“What’s that, kid?” Hauser hisses.
“I’ll tell ya later.” I wink at him, loving how his face turns purple with fury. So much for trying to lie low. It’s goddamn difficult in this place when everyone fucks with you.
Dave chuckles, patting my back as the guys walk off down the corridor. “I told you to stay out of trouble.”
“I try, man, but those assholes make it impossible.” I shrug him off.
“You have to try because you’re looking at an early release. Don’t fuck it up because you can’t keep your goddamn mouth shut.” He shakes his head in frustration. “Come on. You have a visitor.”
My heart thunders in my chest. I don’t take visitors. Not my parents. Not my brother Juno. Not Roan. Especially not Roux. It kills me for them to see me like this.
Today is different, though.
I sent a letter requesting this visit.
A mixture of excitement and dread claw at my insides. I don’t want to have this conversation, but it’s absolutely necessary.
For her.
Always her.
Dave guides me through a series of halls I’ve long since memorized. Prison isn’t so bad aside from the men who are always trying to assert their dominance over you. If you keep your head down, you can get your shit together. I managed to get my GED right away and have been plucking away at some college courses through the prison’s college partner program. School sucks, but when you have nothing better to do, it’s amazing how much you appreciate it.
“I’m surprised you’re taking a visitor,” Dave says. “Have you ever?”
“Nope.”
“What’s the special occasion?”
“A girl.”
Dave snorts. “Of course. You know this isn’t a conjugal visit. If you start wanking it in there—”
“It’s about a girl,” I interrupt. “She’s in trouble.”
He frowns as he unlocks a door. “Same girl you got yourself in here over?”
“Yep.”
“Must be pretty special to deserve such stupid loyalty.”
“Lay off,” I grunt out. “You don’t know shit.”
I follow him into another hallway. He glances over his shoulder at me. “I read your file, Martinez. I know enough. I’m well aware that you don’t make good decisions where she’s concerned. At the detriment of yourself.”
We reach a door and are buzzed in. I’m glad I don’t have to respond to his dum
bass comments. He doesn’t know Roux or Roan. No one understands. No one but me. I walk along a bank of plexiglass cubicles with phones attached and small stools bolted to the floor. Most of the criminals are cuffed to the table as they visit, but others like me have the freedom to move our hands.
“Stall nine,” Dave grunts out. “I’ll be nearby when you’re ready to go.”
I give him a nod of thanks before throwing myself down onto the stool, making sure not to look at him. My best friend. Roan Hirsch.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
I’m drawn to the sound and lift my gaze. Familiar amber eyes sear into me with the intensity of a fiery volcano. He’s pissed. Understandably so. I refused to speak to him for three goddamn years.
He picks up the phone and nods with his head at mine. I note that his skin is tanned as though he’s spent too much time recently in the sun. His hair is the same, but he’s broader. Based on the way his biceps strain in his Henley, I note that he’s been lifting a lot.
With a heavy sigh, I pick up the receiver. “Hey.”
“Hey?” A loud huff. “After three years, all I get is a demanding letter to come see you and then a hey. Fuck you, Jordy.” The anger in his tone barely hides the hurt. It guts me. Everything I did was for them. To keep them safe. And yet he’s still hurting.
“Sorry,” I mutter. “But… Can we not talk about that right now?”
He flashes me a murderous expression. Flared nostrils. Blazing copper eyes. Mouth twisted into a snarl. Rather than chewing my ass out, he gives me a clipped nod. “Speak, brother.”
I hate that emotion clogs my throat, making my eyes prickle. I’ll be goddamned if I cry and that shit gets back to Hauser.
“Roux’s in trouble.”
Concern chases away his angry expression. “What? I just saw her this morning. Seemed fine.”
“She still hanging around that douchebag?”
“Kayden?”
“That’s him.”
His mouth parts and his eyes flash with confusion. “He’s her best friend.”
“Is that the lie she’s telling you?”
“Jordy,” he growls in warning. “Get to the fucking point because you’re pissing me off.”
“The point, brother, is Kayden’s brother is Renaldo. Word around here is he’s got a big fucking handle on Hood River.”
Roan stiffens, his lips pressing into a thin line.
“You remember how Renaldo was with me and I wasn’t his blood. He will have Kayden pulling all sorts of shit if he doesn’t already.” I give him a pointed glare. “You really want Roux around that?”
“Fuck no,” he snaps. “I just…” He sighs. “Hollis and I will talk to her.”
A snort escapes me. “Still with the rat?”
“Yeah, man, and it really sucked having Cal up there as best man when it was supposed to be you.” He waves his hand at me, showing a wedding band on his finger.
“You got fucking married?” I ask in astonishment.
“And the moment I got back from my honeymoon, I had word from your dumb ass that I needed to come see you for the first time since you’d been locked up. Way to kill the mood.”
I’m still shocked he got married. Roan of all people never seemed like the type to settle down ever. Worse than Cal or Terrence.
“Congrats,” I mutter.
“Jordy…”
I lift a brow. “What?”
“Kayden has been good to Roux. This… She’s going to be so fucking upset over this.”
“I already sent her a letter warning her to stay away,” I tell him with a shrug. “It won’t come out of left field. Trust me.”
He scrubs his palm over his face, dragging his flesh, eyeing me with a look of utter frustration. “You’re sure about this? I can’t undo this once I lay down the law. Roux is going to hate me. If I’m doing this because you’re just being your typical overbearing ass, I’m going to be pissed.”
I lean forward, pinning him with a serious glare. “These fuckers are in a whole other league than Alejandro was. Vicious, Roan. So fucking vicious. Some of his gang buddies are here with me and they won’t shut the fuck up about the shit they pulled. If she gets mixed up in that world, she’ll get her ass raped or killed or worse.”
He gapes at me, disgust flashing in his eyes. “What could be worse than rape or murder?”
“I don’t fucking know and we’re not going to find out either. Just end things with Kayden and her.”
“Fine,” he concedes. “I’ll do it, but I don’t want you shoving me back out of your life after this. I want you to let me visit any time I want. I miss you, man.”
My gut clenches with guilt. “You could visit your dad instead.”
“Don’t be an asshole.”
“I’m just saying since you’re here and—”
“I said fucking don’t,” Roan snaps. “Don’t.”
“Fine. I’ll talk to you, but you better fix this shit with Roux. Otherwise, everything I’ve done is a big waste.”
It’s his turn to look guilty. His brows scrunch together, and he rubs at his neck with his palm. “I’ll take care of it. And when she turns eighteen, I’m saying whatever the fuck I have to say to get you out of here. She won’t be taken from us. Worst they’ll do is lock me up for eighteen months or so.”
Roan would die in this place.
He wears his heart on his motherfucking sleeve. Always has. I’ll be damned if I let that happen.
“Stay out of it,” I grunt. “I’ll work on shit on my end.”
His amber eyes flare with happiness. “You’ll try and appeal?”
“I’ll figure something out. Let me worry about that. You worry about our girl.”
I start to hang up, but he places a palm on the glass. “Wait.”
We stare at one another for a long beat before he continues.
“Thank you for what you did for me. For us. We love you. Always have. That will never change no matter how stupid you can be sometimes. When you get out—and you fucking will—you have a place with us.”
The emotions threatening to pull me under and drown me are too overwhelming. I give him a clipped nod, unable to formulate words, and hang up the receiver.
We’ll keep Roux safe.
We have to.
I’ll move heaven and hell making sure that happens.
Roux
Kayden groans against my mouth as his hand teases my flesh beneath my shirt on my stomach. A small whimper escapes me, making him smile against my lips. We’ve only been officially dating for a week and I love kissing him, but sometimes it feels like things are moving way too fast. When his fingertips brush along my bra, I push at his shoulders.
He lets out a heavy sigh before pulling away, a frown marring his face. “What?”
“I’m not ready…for that.” I chew on my bottom lip and straighten my glasses. “I’m sorry.”
“What is that, Roux?” he challenges with a smirk.
“You know what that is,” I grumble. “We can kiss, though.”
He rolls his eyes and checks his phone. “It’s fine. I know you’re my little prude. I’ll wear you down eventually.” His tone is playful, but I don’t miss the glint of irritation in his gaze.
“Just give me more time to warm up to all of this.” I take his hand in mine. “Don’t be mad.”
“I’m not mad. I’ve just waited a long time for us to happen.”
“We are happening,” I assure him. “All those things will come with time.”
He flashes me a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Sure thing, babe. I gotta go. Renaldo wants me to drop by the shop. I’ll pick you up in the morning for school.”
Disappointment floods through me. We were supposed to study together tonight. Since Roan isn’t here and Hollis is at school, I thought we’d have all that time to ourselves. But, apparently since I’m not putting out, Kayden’s ready to bail on me.
Kayden rises from the sofa and stretches. He’s probably the hottest guy at
Hood River High and I somehow landed him. Me. Roux Hirsch. Big, awkward nerd. But it’s not exactly how I imagined it.
Something’s missing.
Guilt niggles at me. Of all the girls he could have ended up with, he’s chosen me, and all I can think about is maybe he chose wrong. Maybe he’d be better off with someone like my best friend Charlotte or one of the other popular cheerleaders. He certainly deserves more than a girl who questions it every time he wants to touch her.
Because you think of him.
Jordy Martinez.
My brother’s best friend who’s serving ten years at OSP for killing four men.
“Hey,” Kayden says, cupping my cheeks. “I’m not mad. I know how you are. I’ve known you for a long time. We’re good. I really do have to go.”
He coaxes a smile out of me when he kisses my forehead.
“Call me later.” I stand on my toes and meet his lips for another kiss. “Okay?”
“As soon as I deal with my asshole brother, I’m all yours.” His hands find my hips, drawing me to his obvious erection. “I really don’t want to go. I’d rather study naked with you.”
I laugh against his lips. “You’re crazy.”
He opens his mouth, no doubt ready for a smartass retort, when the front door flings open. We jerk apart as though we’ve been burned. I turn to see who interrupted our kiss.
Lovely.
“Hey, Roan,” I squeak out, my cheeks flaming with embarrassment. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
Roan’s amber eyes that match mine exactly narrow as he regards Kayden. “What’s going on here?”
I glower at my brother, crossing my arms over my chest. “We’re studying.”
Since when does Roan have a problem with Kayden coming over? He’s one of my best friends. It’s always been that way.
“Studying?” Roan cracks his neck and then glares at Kayden. “Probably time to go, kid.”
Kayden, who once used to be intimidated as hell by my brother, lets out a derisive snort. “I’m not a kid.”
Oh, great.
“Ignore him,” I tell Kayden, clutching his arm through his hoodie. “He’s just grumpy because his honeymoon’s over. I’ll talk to you later.”
