abcnovels
Chapter 115
Chapter 115
Chapter 115
Chapter 115
The three lads tending to their needs could tell something was off the moment they recognized the newcomer. They were street- smart enough to make themselves scarce before getting tangled up in someone else’s drama.
Sure, they were just doing their job, but there was no need to get dragged into a domestic squabble.
Jason’s expression was stormy as all get-out. Bryce, in a flash, hopped out of the bed and grinned, “Hey bro, what brings you here? You must be beat from work, just here to chill a bit, right? You a regular at this joint? Let me hook you up with a masseuse, I'll foot the bill. Want a guy or a gal? The dudes have got some serious muscle, but | know you’re not keen on a guy’s touch. I'll get you a lady-number 11’s a real looker, with long legs, super nice skin, and, man, she’s stacked.”
Bryce was yapping away as if Estrella and Jesse weren’t even in the room, and as if he hadn’t been the one bad-mouthing Jason just moments before, trying to keep him and Estrella apart.
As Bryce went on about getting a hot masseuse, Jason just stood there with his hands in his pockets, giving Bryce the coldest look.
Bryce’s smile was hanging by a thread, looking uglier than a frown. He was sucking up to him already, what more did Jason want?
Estrella, cool as a cucumber, got out of bed, worked a kink out of her neck, and said, “C’mon, Bryce is just looking out for you. He means well, just go with it.”
Jason’s face was like thunder as he shot back, “Estrella, zip it.” “Alright, alright, I’m shutting up,” Estrella replied, miming zipping her lips.
Jason swallowed hard, and when he looked back at Bryce, the guy went as limp as a wet noodle, whining, “Bro, | was just trying to help my Ella unwind after a hard day’s work, so she can take care of you when she gets home, you know?”
Jason’s eyes narrowed, and Bryce quickly slapped himself across the mouth, “She’s yours, man. Ella’s yours.”
Jason didn’t take kindly to anyone calling Estrella “his,” even if it was Bryce, and even if they were family. But Bryce never seemed to learn. No matter how many times Jason warned him, and set him straight, Bryce acted like Estrella was his to begin with, and Jason had somehow stolen her
away.
Jesse, with a buzz cut and lying motionless on the bed, piped up, “Jason, Estrella didn’t do anything. You blowing up like this-is it necessary? Besides, you play harder than this when you're out, don’t ya?”
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Seeing his chance, Bryce chimed in, “Exactly. Ella didn’t do anything wrong. Why you so fired up? Look, you even busted the door. I’m gonna have to pay for that.”
Jason couldn't well pick a fight with Jesse as she’s a woman and not family, but Bryce, he was another story. He was the instigator.
Jason glanced at Bryce, smirking, “Did nothing wrong? Yeah, everyone needs to relax, sure.” That guy
had been pawing all over her, and he had the gall to say nothing was wrong? And when had Jason ever partied it up outside? Held never even gone for a massage.
After that, Jason turned to the door and called out, “Sean?” At Jason’s cue, a man in his thirties, suited up, came in with a big smile, “Mr. Jason.” “Bring ’em in,” Jason ordered.
The suited man glanced at the door and nodded, and in walked six beefy guys, all towering over six feet. Estrella and Jesse’s eyes practically sparkled.
Then, Estrella, all smiles, said to Jason, “Thank you so much for the gift.” Jason ignored her and instructed the manager, “Take good care of Mr. Bryce.” Bryce, puzzled by Jason’s words, blurted out, “Bro, what’s this about?”
The lead man approached Bryce, “Mr. Bryce, if you please.”
“Jason..”
“What the heck is this?”
Bryce’s confusion turned to panic as he was suddenly manhandled onto the massage table, and the guys got to work. Someone worked his legs, another his back, another his waist...
Bryce’s cries soon filled the room, “I swear, | was thinking of you, just trying to take my Ella to-” Jason cut in, “Too gentle for you?” At that, Bryce’s cries drowned out any chance of explanation.
Jesse, who had been lying on the adjacent bed, found the scene nerve-wracking and leaped to her feet, locking eyes with Jason, “This has nothing to do with me. Bryce dragged me and Estrella here, bragging about how the masseurs here are like models.”
“Jesse, you rat, how could you sell me out?” Bryce sobbed as his spine crackled under the strong hands.
Jesse, adjusting her clothes, quipped, “Isn’t that what friends are for? Just endure it, it'll be over soon. Tomorrow, Estrella and | will take you out for some good food to make it up to 2/4
you.
“I'm sorry. i won’t bring Ella for massages anymore. And | won't find her any male models,” Bryce quickly corrected, “won't find her any masseurs at all, not even women.”
“Jason!!” “My bones are falling apart!”
“My back’s
gone numb.” Listening to Bryce’s howls, Jesse’s smile froze. If Jason actually hurt his own cousin, how would he explain it to his uncle? “Estrella, save me, or I’m done for. If you don’t save me now, I’m a goner.”
The massage that was meant to be relaxing had turned into a nightmare under Jason’s special instructions. Bryce vowed never to step foot in a massage parlor again-the mere mention of the word ‘massage’ would send shivers down his spine.
Estrella watched Bryce’s ordeal with sympathy. She glanced over at Jason, who was lounging casually by the table, and nudged him with her foot. “Alright, just let him go.”
Jason fished a pack of cigarettes and a lighter out of his pocket and lit up, taking a drag. “Exert more pressure,” he said, smoke curling from his lips.
Estrella sighed.
Meanwhile, Bryce let out a few pitiful howls before looking up at Jason and asking, “What did | do wrong? If I’m gonna die, at least let me die knowing why!”
Jason replied with cool detachment, “Your brain’s not working right. Just trying to clear the cobwebs.”
In other families, if a couple had a spat, siblings would typically try to smooth things over. But not Bryce. Not only did he encourage Estrella to divorce, but he also brought her to massage parlors and even tried to set her up with other men. For that, Jason felt Bryce deserved to be taught a lesson.
Bryce, tears and snot mingling, said, “I swear I'll be smarter from now on.”
Estrella noticed Bryce’s lips turning purple and her expression darkened. “Jason, aren’t you afraid you'll knock whatever sense he has left out of his head? You planning on taking care of him for life?”
“If he’s broken, I'll take care of him,” Jason said flatly. That set Estrella off. She kicked Jason hard in the leg and commanded, “Get everyone out of here.”
Jason snuffed out his cigarette and dusted off his pants where she'd kicked him. “Oh, so you're in the right now?” he snapped back, his anger flaring. “I’ve never let anyone touch
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