Read C.O.T.V.H. (Book 2): Judgment for Free Online Page B

room following her sister.  Amber was close behind; she laid a hand on Buck's shoulder and whispered something in his ear as she went by.  Buck's eyes were fixed on Donnie’s; he didn't even acknowledge that she had touched him.
    "Time to eat boys," Sandra said, coming into the room.  "Buck clean up that spill." she said, before heading back to the kitchen.
    "Yeah Buck like I said, clean up that spill," Donnie added walking past him and placing his cue on the wall rack.  Chris followed Donnie out without saying a word to anyone.
    “You don’t fool me you know?” Buck said as Jake turned to go down the hall.
    “What’s that?” Jake asked turning around.  Buck patted at the spill with a paper towel.  “I said you don’t fool me.  I know a bitch when I see one.  You won’t last a week.”
    Jake snorted a laugh, “You missed a spot, Bucky.”  He pointed to the floor then followed the others into the dining room.
    A large mahogany table sat in the center of the room, covered in a variety of delicious foods.  His mouth watered at the sight of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, red beans and rice, corn on the cob, fried plantain, and a plate piled high with freshly baked homemade biscuits.  Never before had he seen so much good food in one place.  He hadn't had a meal like this since before his mother died.
    "Wow!" Jake said, to no one in particular, completely forgetting Buck.
    "Jake, sweetie.  Why don't you take a seat over here next to your dad?" Sandra said, setting a bowl of sweet potatoes on the table.
    John was just sitting down at the table so Jake pulled out the chair next to him. John leaned in and whispered, "Make any new friends?"
    "Oh yeah,” Jake whispered back.  “Donnie and Chris just hustled me out of twenty bucks.  And that guy Buck.  Oh, he's a real class act.  I could see us all being lifelong friends."
    "Cut Buck some slack Jake.  He's had it kind of rough."
    "Like his mom dying when he was ten rough?  Like his grandfather kidnapping him to sell to vampires rough?  Like a bunch of vampires storming in and destroying his house in the middle of the night rough?  Yeah, having it rough doesn't mean you get a free pass to be an asshole."
    “Boy stop cussing!” John whispered loudly.  "You're going to have to spend the next couple of years training with these kids.  Just try to be nice, okay?  And how on earth did you let yourself get hustled?"
    Jake rolled his eyes, "I couldn't help it.  That kid Chris is like some sort of pool savant or something!"
    "Well I would think so,” John whispered.  “Ben was State Billiards champ four years running."
    "Well thanks for keying me in on that little tidbit before I put twenty dollars on a game!" Jake whispered loudly.  "Looks like his son is headed in the same direction." 
    John chuckled.  Jake's eyes wandered across the table to find Buck sitting down next to Amber.  She brushed her hair back with her hand then laughed softly at something Buck said.  Buck saw Jake looking and placed his arm around her shoulders.  He caught an angry look from Billy and quickly lowered his arm.  
    "Pretty girl," John whispered into his son's ear.
    "Really?  I hadn't noticed," Jake said, looking down at his plate
    "Yeah right.  You're all but broadcasting it.  Just remember, you're going to be working for her grandpa for many years to come, and believe me you don't want to get on Billy's bad side."  John placed his napkin in his lap.  “I know he may seem like a gentle giant, but mess with his cubs and the grizzly will show his claws.”
    When everyone had finally taken their seats, Billy Williams stood tall at the head of the table with Sandra at his right.  "Before we dig into this wonderful meal made by my beautiful wife,” he lovingly squeezed Sandra's hand. "Let us bow our heads in thanks."
    Everyone lowered their heads.  As Billy said grace, Jake kept his head down but peeked an eye open looking around the room.  Wes Turner's cold