Bad Bets (Bad News Series Book 3) *Under Major Edit*

Chapter 29

It didn't take long the moment Jay got off the plane in Vegas for him to pick up the phone and make arrangements to meet Buddy.

He had sent the text, using the exact words... 'We need to talk Buddy... or should I call you Stan?' And surprisingly he had received a response. He had agreed to meet and suggested a local casino.

As much as Steph had tried to stop him, begging him not to go forward with it, he hadn't listened. He felt responsible to do this for the guys and Jess' sake. He felt like he needed to shelter them, to protect them from anything that could possibly cause harm either physically or emotionally.

Jay could be firm but when anyone did anything to hurt the gang, he wouldn't hold back in doing whatever he could to get pay back.

He wanted Buddy to suffer for what he had done to Matt, George and Jess and also himself. He had reached the point where his own well-being no longer mattered to him and that was exactly why he was going ahead with this with no doubt.

Walking into the casino, he began heading straight in the direction of Buddy the moment he caught sight of him. He wasn't going to hold back. He was going to make sure he got exactly what he had given out.

"So I guess you found out?" Buddy asked as Jay got closer, leaning against one of the gaming tables.

But Jay wasn't there to talk.

Raising his fist he forced punch after punch to the man that had caused so much pain. Hits of server strength to make sure he understood he had messed with the wrong person.

But something strange was happening.

Buddy didn't fight back.

He let Jay throw the punches, even to the point where he was knocked to the floor, blood pouring from his nose.

He just let it happen.

Then the count of three was whispered from Buddy's lips and as he reached three and a smile appeared on his face, shouting was heard through the entrance doors.

Jay didn't have time to run.

He was hopelessly trapped in one position through both shock and devastation.

"Police. Step away from the gentleman right now. You're under arrest!" They shouted over the hysteria in the room. The number of people surrounding clearing out the way.

As Jay looked down to Buddy with all sorts of feelings running through him, he noticed the grin plastered across his face, making him feel physically sick.

"You set me up. You fucking set me up." He breathed, running a hand over his head feeling completely defeated.

Leaning forward Jay suddenly used the little adrenaline he had left running through him and grabbed Buddy by the shirt, hauling him off the ground and throwing him against the wall.

"We said step away." One of the police officers demanded as they got closer, taking Jay's arms as he gave up, they moved them behind his back, securing the handcuffs on his wrists.

"You're making things a lot worse for yourself, Sir."

As Buddy pushed himself up from the wall, his bloodied face looked every bit of smug, every bit of satisfaction and more.

"I know you far too well Jay Gibson." He got closer so he had no choice but to listen. "I knew you would be the one to come running out here, trying to get me killed." He chuckled. That's your problem, you care too much."

Turning his head, Jay did everything in his power to ignore the words being drummed into his head.

"I'm sure you parents were more than happy to agree to my deal and act like you don't exist. Caring makes you weak and it means you always lose."