Page 27 of Bullet

“She was hiding in the closet. I doubt Sal knew she was there,” Guard says.

The hand is barely visible, nothing but a few fingers, like she’s trying to shut the door without being noticed.

“We don’t know for sure it was Violet,” War says.

“True. But what other female do you think would hide in that office, late at night, if she didn’t have to be there?” Guard asks.

“We need to get into that office. There could be clues the cops have missed. It’s not like they’re looking hard at other possibilities,” Demon states.

“Vance will lose his shit if any of us turn up at the shop,” I tell them.

“I’ll talk to him.” Thunder shrugs. “The worst he can do is say no.”

“Or he can put a hole in your head,” Ghost puts in. “You can’t go it alone.”

“If there’s too many of us, he’ll clam up,” Thunder answers.

“It should be me,” I say.

“No!” Crush jumps in. “Vance has it in his mind that none of this would have happened if it weren’t for you and Amelia. He’ll lose his mind. It’s not smart.”

“I’m already involved. It isn’t cool that any of the other brothers are doing their part and I’m not,” I tell him. “You know it’s the right thing to do.”

“I’m coming with you, then,” Crush insists, then he looks at Guard. “I’m going.”

It takes balls to tell Guard anything. Guard focuses only on Crush. “We’ve got Bullet’s back. And yours. When are you going to believe that?”

“I do!” Crush affirms loud enough for the whole room to hear.

The room goes dead quiet. The only thing we hear is Guard’s boots on the floor as he walks over to stand in front of Crush. Fuck! Guard taps his index finger on Crush’s temple. “In here, yes.” He then taps Crush’s chest, over his heart. “Here, no. You want to believe, but you’re scared.”

“I’m not—” Crush erupts, but Guard gives him a look that shuts him up immediately.

“I’ll accept that you’re not fully ready to trust, but I’ll never listen to a lie. Understood?” Guard says.

Crush swallows deep and nods.

“Compromise,” Guard continues. “Ghost and Crush wait outside. Thunder and Bullet take a shot at getting Vance to see it our way.”

“I should be close. If there’s evidence of anything, I’m good at finding it,” Demon cuts in.

“All right. That works.” Guard is done with the meeting and shows this by sauntering to the door and leaving. We all remain behind.

Soon, the men file out of the room, except for Ghost and Thunder.

“Kid, that was your one pass. Do that again, and I’ll take your cut myself,” Thunder grumbles at Crush. “We’ve shown you time and time again that this is where you belong, but if you want out, get out.”

“I don’t want out,” Crush replies, hanging his head.

“That rage inside you is eating you up inside. No one is taking from you. Bullet is safe with his brothers. And so are you,” Ghost adds.

“There’s this thing in the pit of my stomach. I can’t shake it. Most of the time I can contain it, but then it spirals and takes over,” Crush admits.

It’s the first time he’s shared that with anyone but me and Guard. I’m glad he did, because Thunder’s expression changes to compassion. “Shit! I get where you’re coming from. The next problem is always around the corner waiting for you, and you’re trying to control every outcome. It’s fucking exhausting.”

“Yeah,” Crush groans.

“In the meantime, you’re missing out on the good stuff that comes your way,” Ghost tells him. “Vance needs to let us in that room. Thunder is going to take the lead. Bullet, stay quiet and follow Thunder’s play. You know the signal for help. Crush, Demon, and I will be close.”