Under the Cornerstone Read Online Free Page B

my eyes and pull in a breath. I wanted it to be a calming breath, but that isn’t in the cards tonight.
    My vision fills with him when my eyes open and it makes me even more mad, “Fuck you, Johnny!"
    He moves in closer towards me, causing Rich to push into me.
    "I didn't fuck you like a groupie whore. You can be pissed, but you do not get to compare yourself to them. You were not one of them."
    "No? Where were you when I woke up? I'll tell you where. You were off betraying my trust. And now your idiot manager has told everyone what happened to me!"
    "I couldn't let him get away with it!"  He yells back at me.
    "It wasn't your decision to make," I fire back. 
    "I've been making those decisions for a long fucking time, Noles!" He starts to show some anger.
    I push against Rich, who is standing solid between us, always the peace keeper.
    "And today it stops. I'm twenty-six years old with a college degree and a damn good job. I live on my own and take care of myself. You may have helped me get here, but you don't run my life. You do not make decisions for me anymore. And when I ask you to do something, I expect you'll damn well do it, because I never ask for shit. At least not since I was a kid and didn't have a fucking choice but to beg for a handout," I seethe.
    "You never begged for a handout, " his face softens. 
    "Noely King?" A man with a badge around his neck asks.
    I glare at Johnny knowing where this is going.
    I turn to the man, "That's me."
    "Saw your name on James Crawford 's paperwork. Is there any way I can convince you to file a report and press charges against Anthony Danello?" 
    I sigh, close my eyes, and pinch the bridge of my nose. 
    "It could go a long way in your friends' assault cases against Mr. Danello,” he pushes further. 
    "Fine." 
    "I’m Detective Ross. Could you come to my desk?" He asks kindly.
    "Sure."
    Johnny pushes past Rich, "I'll go with you."
    He looks down at me with eyes full of hurt. 
    "No you won't. You've done enough in the last two days. I don't want to see you," I say and walk towards the detective. 
    Rich calls out to me, "Noely. I’ll wait on you." 
    I nod slightly, "I appreciate that, but I just want to be alone. Please go home."
    Rich gives me a sad smile before I turn around. 
    I follow the detective to give a statement, sign and date the pictures Johnny took and gave to them without my permission, and allow them to take more photographs.
    I walk home alone at four in the morning with a promise from the detective that Tony will see jail time. But I could care less. Tony's damage doesn't begin to compare to Johnny's.
     

Chapter Four
     
     
    I call into work as soon as I get home. I'm exhausted, depressed, and covered in Tony's handiwork. I give the same lie, I gave to Johnny, attributing my illness to bad Chinese food since my favorite restaurant is obviously closed for renovations. 
    The shower calls me then I step under hot water and stand there until the water goes cold. The other tenants in the building are going to be pissed. 
    I creep into bed as the sun comes up and succumb to sleep. I awake later in the afternoon and immediately order takeout. I avoid Chinese since I'm scared karma will bite me in the ass. 
    When the delivery guy arrives, I find Johnny standing right beside him. I glare at him for all of two seconds, pay delivery guy, and slam the door in both of their faces. 
    "Noely, we need to talk," Johnny says into the door with his stern tone.
    Fuck his stern tone. 
    I don't respond. 
    "Noe, I'm serious."
    So am I.  
    A loud thud comes from the door, and then I'm sure his temper got the best of him and he's taking it out on the wood.
    With my mouth full of food, I yell over my shoulder in his direction, "If you break it you buy it!"
    "Open the door, Noles."
    I chow down on my Philly cheese steak instead.
    "Fuck!" He shouts and hits the door again about three minutes later.
    Once I'm done eating, I place the takeout in a bag and drop it in the