Part 91 (1/2)
”What the f.u.c.k!”
Jacob cut him off with a jab to his chin. The blow could've killed him if Jacob hit hard enough, especially with the gloves, but he just gave Elliot a little tap on the jaw that knocked him backwards.
Completely confused, Elliot sputtered and scrambled to the side of his car leaned on the side of the car for a second before standing.
”Do you have any idea who you're f.u.c.king with?”
”Like saying that, don't you?” Jacob said.
Elliot lunged to the driver's side. Jacob grabbed him by his belt and dragged him out, then tossed him on his a.s.s. Elliot skidded backward and crab-walked away until he found his footing.
”Who are you?”
Jacob surged forward and backhanded him. The gloves split Elliot's lip enough to send blood dripping down his chin. Elliot wailed and threw a clumsy punch.
Jacob could've ducked it but he was a figure of wood, letting Elliot punch him right in the jaw. He turned his head to soften the blow a little. Elliot followed up with a punch to his stomach, and then pulled both of his clutched hands back. Blood dripped from the knuckles on his left hand. The ceramic plate could take an a.s.sault rifle round.
”I can hurt you,” Jacob said. ”But you can't hurt me.”
”Wanna bet?” Elliot said.
Jacob didn't reply.
”I will f.u.c.k you up,” Elliot whined as he rubbed his lip. ”I will f.u.c.king end you. Your life won't be worth-”
Jacob cut him off by taking his skinny little throat in his hand, fighting off the overwhelming urge to choke him. Elliot flailed around, trying to slap or kick his way free. Jacob spun him to pin him to the Charger's side.
”Listen to me very carefully. You were at Jennifer Katzenberg's house tonight.”
”I know who you are, now,” Elliot wheezed. ”You simple f.u.c.k. Just because that wh.o.r.e...”
That was it.
Jacob face twisted in fury under the mask, and he pulled Elliot back and drove his face into the car's fender. Elliot slumped back, clutching at his bleeding nose.
Jacob took him by the throat again.
”All I have to do is squeeze.”
Elliot tried to talk. Jacob tightened his grip.
”I'm not interested in what you have to say. I want you understand something.”
Jacob's other hand patted Elliot down until he pulled out his wallet. He managed to remove Elliot's driver's license one handed. Jacob examined it before tucking it in Elliot's pocket.
”Is that you? Is that where you live?”
Elliot nodded.
”If you bother her again, somebody is going to pay you a visit.”
Jacob loosened his grip.
”Try it, motherf.u.c.ker.” Elliot hollow threat didn't phase him.
Jacob sighed softly, and squeezed again. ”No. Not me. Someone you've never seen before. Understand?”
Elliot's gaze filled with hatred while tears ran down his cheeks. He nodded, and Jacob let go.
Elliot sank to the ground.
”You can't do this,” he whined. ”My Dad will...”
That was it. Jacob had to leave now, or he'd kill him.
He slipped into the Reliant and pulled away, leaving Elliot panting and slump to the pavement.
As soon as he was out of sight, Jacob retrieved his phone.
Faisal answered. ”Sir?”
”Faisal, meet me at drop number two. I need a ride, and this car is burnt, get rid of it. Scrub it first.”
”Yes, sir,” Faisal said. ”I'll meet you there presently.”
Jacob didn't stop until he reached the drop, a gas station outside of town. He calmly stepped out of the car and walked over to sit in the back of Faisal's hatchback while two of his men drove the old Dodge away.
”What did you do?” Faisal peered into the rearview mirror.
”The plan has changed,” Jacob said.
”If he accosts her again?”
”I want to be notified right away. I'll kill him.”
”Sir-”
”You'll be taken care of. All of you will. I wouldn't abandon you like that. If someone has to do it, it will be me. I have nothing to lose.”
”Are you certain of that?” Faisal asked.
Jacob folded his arms across his chest. He hated it when Faisal was right about something, but said nothing more until they returned to the house. After he secured his gear and showered once more, he collapsed into the bed and rubbed at his eyes. He still had homework to grade.
He managed to get a few more hours of sleep before Faisal came knocking at the door.
”What is it this time?” Jacob said, snapping awake.
”I'm not hungry,” Jennifer insisted.
Katie ignored her and pulled into the parking lot of Whamburger. Jennifer waited while Katie went inside to order. A few bolted down tables with beach umbrellas sat in front of the walk-up window, with no place to sit inside. They would eat in the Beetle.