Page 57 of Nixon’s Promise

“Right. And Rich Dillinger? Is he gonna stay away from my sister?”

“Can’t answer that. I suspect Nix made it clear Amanda was off limits, but Dillinger isn’t smart. Sometimes it takes more than one lesson for him to get the picture.”

Nixon had asked McKenna if Mandy had said anything more about Dillinger. Unfortunately, Mandy wasn’t open or honest with what she told her sister, so even though Mandy told McKenna she hadn’t heard from Dillinger since Nix found them next to the construction site, he wasn’t sure he believed her. But he did believe Zack, and he knew the kid was listening and paying attention to what was being said at school. If he’d heard something, he would’ve said something—if not to McKenna then to Nixon.

“So what are we supposed to do? Suck it up and let them threaten us?” Zack didn’t sound happy that was even an option.

“No, you do not. You tell Nixon. You guys get stopped again, tell Nix. Something doesn’t feel right, tell Nix. You even hear a hint of a rumor about Dillinger, you tell Nix. I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but the wheels of justice move slow. You can go through the chain of command, but Dillinger has connections, any complaints will fall on deaf ears. So I need something concrete I can use. That’s gonna take time. But I have Nixon’s back, which means I have yours and your sisters’, too.”

Zack did not look convinced. He also didn’t look happy.

“Bud, we’re gonna work this out. But I need you to promise me that no matter what, you don’t go at this alone.”

“What do you mean?”

“If you see Dillinger—”

“If I see him touching my sister again, I’m gonna kick his ass.”

Jonny’s lips twitched and Nixon had done his best to suppress his. Zack may’ve only been fifteen but he was learning to be a man. And part of that was him being protective over his sisters. Nixon didn’t want to quell that instinct, but he did need to teach the boy how to be smart.

“You call me. You don’t go after Dillinger without me at your back. Period. As much of a prick as he is, he’s still a cop and he can and will jam you up. But more than that, you could get your sister hurt. I promise I’m gonna fix this, but we’re gonna play it smart and we’re gonna be patient.”

Nixon waited. There was something going on in Zack’s mind. His eyes were busy swinging from Jonny to Nix then back again.

“I get all that, Nix, but if he touches her—”

“I promise, I’ll handle it,” Nixon cut him off.

“Fine,” Zack clipped, obviously not happy, but he agreed nonetheless.

“I’m gonna roll,” Jonny announced. “Give me a call, you need anything. And as much as it pisses me off I gotta tell you this, I’m gonna tell you—watch your back. You’ve been gone a long time, brother. Rich Dillinger thinks he’s untouchable. And you givin’ him a beat down means he took a blow to his over-inflated ego. He didn’t like it.”

“’Preciate you takin’ the time to come out here, Jonny.”

“I need to know you get me, Nix. He’ll play dirty. He doesn’t care who or what he has to use. This isn’t high school where he had no option but to slink away.”

“I get you. And you’re correct. This isn’t high school. In this situation, Dillinger has more to lose than I do.”

“Wouldn’t be so sure about that.”

And with that parting shot, Jonny got into his pickup and rolled out, leaving Nixon vibrating with anger. Jonny was right about a few things; Nix did have something to lose. A woman he cared deeply about and her two siblings. He would do what he needed to do to protect them. Nix also knew both Dillinger scumbags would play dirty. What Jonny didn’t understand was that Nixon wasn’t playing. The sheriff and his deputy weren’t even in the same league as Nixon. He’d spent years training with the best of the best, and more years hunting and killing terrorists. Sheriff Douchebag and Deputy Dickhead wouldn’t stand a chance if either of them tried to fuck with McKenna, Mandy, or Zack.

“I got friends coming in tonight,” Nixon told Zack. “They’re gonna stay awhile. I need some help with the house. You up for it?”

“Yeah,” Zack answered.

“You have any questions about what just happened with Jonny?”

“No.”

“Right. That conversation stays between us. I’ll talk to McKenna about it, in private. I’d appreciate it if none of what you heard is repeated to anyone. Not even Mandy.”

“I understand.”

“Good. Let’s get this shit done.”

Nixon and Zack went inside and got to work. There wasn’t much to do except clear out one of the rooms Nix had used to store what he’d brought home from Virginia Beach. Once all of Nixon’s crap was moved into the master where he was staying, there were three empty bedrooms upstairs. He’d warned his buddies he didn’t have furniture and they should come prepared.