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"Ah, Huck," I called, drawing his attention. "Maybe telling a fourteen-year-old what blades work best for dismemberment isn't a great idea."
"Is there some kind of book about what I can say to a kid? Christ," he said, shaking his head.
"That's a fair question," Eva agreed. "They really do need to make some kind of rulebook up. Can I maybe make some food?" she asked. "As an apology for my son's behavior. And a thank you for letting us crash here," she added.
"Think we were just gonna order pizza," Huck said. "We are getting low on supplies.
"Well, let me call then," she offered, desperate for something to do. "I give good phone," she said to me, eyes dancing.
"Yeah, that will work," Huck agreed. "Ten pies? Eleven? something like that."
"Oh, honey, you're cute," Eva declared. "Four slices? That's all you're allocating for each of these guys? Come on now. See, this is why men need women around," Eva added, shaking her head.
"Tell them to put it on our saved card," I told her as she moved into the kitchen to get away from the screaming on the TV.
"Alright, kid, tell me how long the couple who were fucking live. It's never long," Huck added, standing. "What?" he asked, shaking his head at me. "It was just some tits and grinding before the rock went through the car window. Relax."
"Have you heard from Cash?"
"Yeah," he said, nodding as we moved toward the bar. "Looks like he broke his shoulder. That's why he's in surgery. He has a busted rib and a small fracture in his jaw. He's covered in bruises and has stitches in his temple, but the hospital told Summer that he was conscious and demanding they call his woman. Sounds like he's no worse for the wear."
"Good," I said, letting out a breath I hadn't been aware I'd been holding.
"Yeah, and knowing Reign, as soon as he's weaned off the anesthesia, he's going to be signing his stubborn ass out to get back here to start handling shit."
"Sounds about right," I agreed.
"Probably for the best. It's damn near impossible to secure a hospital. We can protect him better here. Cash said Lo was sending some reinforcements too. Just in case. I can't imagine we will need it. Third Street sounds like your average street gang, right? Not something to rival what you guys have going here."
"We didn't think they would even try to come at us. They're usually too busy in-fighting. I guess they have a new leader with higher ambitions. I mean... to put a mole in here?" I said, shaking my head, feeling validated for not being a fan of the prospect from the jump.
"You have a good thing going here. More money than you know what to do with. Of course people want a part of that. Reign has his old allies, yeah, but new players are always coming up. Can't get too complacent."
"How are things down by you?" I asked.
To that, he snorted. "It's gonna be a while until we feel like we can take a deep breath. But we will get there."
"If you ever need any help," I extended the offer.
"So you can bring your kid and that kid up in my house and tell me I can't say 'pussy' and 'fuck' and watch some bastard get his cock cut off and shoved down his own throat? No thanks," he said, but he was smiling. "You two work it out?" he asked, nodding toward the kitchen where Eva was repeating herself to whomever she was on the phone with, someone who clearly thought she was trying to prank them or something.
"It's complicated."
"Everything is in this fucking incestuous town of yours," Huck said, reaching behind the bar for a bottle of whiskey. "Everybody in bed with everyone else, everyone fucking everyone else. Nothing is ever easy here."
"Yeah that busted ass face you showed up with said it's all sunshine and roses down in Florida. Shit is new for you. Who knows, in five years' time, you might find yourself in bed with all sorts of other organizations."
"Christ, don't say that shit," Huck said, lip curling.
"Well, I ordered," Eva declared, waving the phone in the air as she walked back in, doing a double-take at the TV before walking up to us. "There's a fifty-fifty chance they will bring it judging by the disbelieving chick I got on the phone. Are you sharing?" she asked, jerking her chin at Huck's bottle of whiskey.
With that, we had drinks.
Then we, eventually, after Pagan called to bitch, ate pizza.
Reign made it out of surgery.
And there was a collective sigh of relief.
Until, as predicted, Reign signed himself out and came home the following afternoon.TENReignThe lack of pain was welcome. Even as I felt the anesthesia wearing off, I let my eyes stay closed, enjoying the couple moments of calm and rest while I could have it.
