The Bound Between Us

Chapter 930

Herman showing up was the last thing Asher expected.

He dropped Rowan and turned to his guy. "How many people with him?"

"T-t-t..." The poor kid had a stutter that could tie knots in your patience.

Asher's eyebrows jumped. "Twenty?!"

"N-n-no, it's t-t-t..." The guy's face was red as a tomato, struggling just to get the words out.

Asher was about to lose it. He stared at the kid, waiting for something more than another round of "t-t-t..." but that's all he got.

Finally, Asher lost his patience and sent a quick kick his way. The kid hit the floor, and the shock must've helped, because at last he managed to spit it out: "Two. Two people."

Asher just stared at him. "...Really?"

"If it's just two, just say two! What's with all the t-t-t? Didn't your English teacher teach you anything?" Asher gave him a light slap on the back of the head. "You're such a blockhead."

The kid, gathering his courage, corrected him, "Asher, it's 'dumbass'."

"Oh, dumbass, huh? I'll give you dumbass!" Asher gave him another slap. "If I say blockhead, it's blockhead. Got it?"

The kid rubbed his head, looking totally put out. "G-g-got it."

now his own crew was driving him nuts. He stood there,

piped up, "Uh,

he want? I never go looking for him, and now he's got the nerve

Asher asked. "Who's the other

can manage. "Asher, you've always been scared of Herman, aren't you? Didn't you even move out to the sticks to dodge him? Did you

thinking, Asher would never go looking for Herman-he can

Asher just glared.

down, almost burst a blood vessel trying not to laugh. At the same time,

called him Junior. Twenty-one; sharp-featured, and had been tagging along behind Asher since he was sixteen. He never did anything big, just errands and odd jobs. Out of all Asher's guys, only Riley could get away with mouthing off. Anyone else-Rowan included-would've ended

was brave. He

rushing around, saying whatever

into his

every answer with

wide-eyed, innocent stupidity that

was almost sweet.

had been anyone else annoying Asher like this-or even Rowan-someone would be

couple of slaps and a kick were the worst of it. It all looked rough, but Asher never really hurt him. Even Rowan, his own

of jealousy. Deep down, he wanted that kind

burn holes in steel. "If you can't talk right, just shut up. Let

Riley gulped. "Y-yes, Asher."