Page 76 of Blood We Steal

“Moni, you didn’t have to,” he mumbled, his head down, voice apologetic.

I shook my head. “Forget about it, Aaron. But you’re not getting any more,” I said. “And that is coming off yours tomorrow.”

His smile lit his whole face as he hugged me, but his gaze was firmly fixed on the card game. He kissed my forehead and then jogged back over to the table, slamming the noodles and honey bun down with a look of triumph on his face. “Deal, motherfucker.”

I looked away from Aaron, pretending every exchange of cards didn’t fill me with dread.

“Besnik,” I said a few hours later.

He smiled at me. “Yes, Simone.”

“Can you come help me in the kitchen?” I asked.

He looked over at Damian, who was sitting at a table with Arben.

“Never mind, it’s all right.” I had hoped to get a moment with him, but that didn’t seem to be in the offing. So instead I leaned closer. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course,” he said. His bushy eyebrows furrowed with curiosity.

“What does ‘miu’ mean?” I asked.

Besnik blinked. Then shrugged. “It’s nothing.”

“No, Besnik, it’s definitely something. It’s a word.”

He shifted in his seat, then glanced over at me, almost evasive. It was low-key hilarious. After all, I knew exactly what kind of work he did for Rubin, and it definitely wasn’t a role a shy, retiring person would take. But the way he looked now suggested he’d rather be literally anywhere else. I followed the direction of his gaze and saw Damian staring at us.

“Never mind, my friend,” I said. I reached over, about to pat his hand, but then thought the better of it, which I could tell he appreciated.

“I didn’t answer your question, but might I say something?”

“Of course,” I said.

He looked away, toward where Aaron had been and then looked back at me. “Be careful. Just be careful.”

THIRTY-SEVEN

Simone

“Veronica, you wanna come with me?” I said.

Like she did most days, Veronica was sitting in the back of the common area. Kane was not too far away. And neither of them talked with anyone else. Arben would occasionally shoot a dirty look and glare at Kane, but for the most part, they were left alone.

All things being equal, I was sure they didn’t mind, but I could use company, and I had the perfect hook.

“Why?” Veronica said, more than asked.

I smiled at her. “Found something that might be useful,” I said.

She arched a brow. “And what would that be?”

I lifted the items I had behind my back.

“Is that leave-in conditioner?” she said.

“Yeah. Why?”

She scowled. “It hasn’t even been opened. Where did you get it?”