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Thisis what I live for.
Reaching behind me, I grab onto my knife from the back of my pants and bring it into his line of sight. His eyes go wide with horror and desperation. He starts mouthing off words that I can’t hear.
Is he praying?
Pointing the tip of the knife into his pointer finger, I say, “One finger for overpricing.”
I go to his middle finger. “And one for undersupplying.”
I press the blade down on both fingers, slicing through skin and bone. He screams like a banshee, bellowing out incoherent words. I’m lucky I’m in a bad spot of town. No one will be coming for him.
Leaning down, I whisper in his ear. “Quit fucking around. Next time, I take the whole hand. You got me?” I pull his hair up so our eyes are level. His foggy eyes are filled with tears, but he can see me.
He nods.
I slam his forehead into the pavement and watch as his tense body relaxes with unconsciousness. Wiping the blood on his shirt, I slip it back into its holder, pick up severed fingers, and stand up.
He’ll wake up in a while and his cries for help will eventually alert someone. They’ll come, call and ambulance, and he’ll be carted to the hospital. He’ll be patched up and won’t speak a word. Maybe he’ll trash his drugs and wallet into the dumpster so that he can make it seem like a mugging.
He won’t speak a word.
* * *
Hopping in Easton’s truck,I make my way over to the warehouse. My plan is to report to Hugo and Rich about the job, then head over to The Pit just in time to watch Easton fight. The severed fingers in my pocket wrapped in fast food napkins are just an extra touch and souvenir for the both of them.
Once I get into the city, I stop at a nearest gas station to get gas. It’s really time I get my own license and see about getting a car. Easton and Rose have been sharing her car more often so I can get places, but it’s not the most convenient when he has to pawn off his truck to me all the time.
As I pump, I glance at my surroundings. I might not be as known as Easton or Rich, but I’m still known enough that we have enemies I have to watch out for. That, and the area by The Pit gets pretty shady.
Across the street is a small strip mall, and it’s like a spotlight shines on the small baby store, illuminating the rows of cribs and baby gear in the front window. Without a second thought, I put the pump back and hop into the truck, speeding across the street to the baby store. Shifting into park, I head out and enter the store, immediately tensing up at the bright colors and soft music playing.
Shit. I do not belong here.
But there’s another part of me that feels a twinge in my hardened heart at the tiny clothes and the baby blankets. I haven’t really looked at baby stuff since Wren. It gives me whiplash. I do a double take at just about every item in the store.
Holy fuck. I’mreallyhaving a baby.
I wander in, eyes glowing with wonder and nerves as I walk straight for the baby boy section. Blues and yellows and greens spread out in front of me in all different sizes. I can barely remember a baby being as small as some of these clothes are. Is my baby going to be this small?
Is it going to have blonde hair, like Logan’s?
Or dark hair, like mine?
Unease hits me on the baby coming out with blue eyes and blonde hair, a baby version of my best friend staring back at me.
Would I be able to take care of it?
I want to say yes, but when the moment comes, I’m afraid I won’t be able to.
“Hi, can I help you with something?” I whip around at the dainty voice, seeing a shocked looking saleswoman standing behind me. She cowers at my scowl, fear dripping into her gaze. “S-sorry. Is there something I can help you with?”
I stare at her for so long I can see a bubble of sweat appear on her temple. She wipes it away. “O-okay. I’ll be over there if you need anything.” She points over her shoulder and scurries behind the register. I can feel her eyes on me, boring into me. Like she’s worried I’ll rob the place. Maybe kidnap her and sell her into a trafficking ring.
I can feel her on her toes, ready to bolt if need be.
I go back to my browsing. I don’t even notice I’ve got an arm full of clothing until my phone rings. I go to pull my phone out of my pocket and run into a mountain of clothes.
“What the… what the fuck?” I look down, shocked at how many things I’ve grabbed. I shift it around to one arm and grab my phone, seeing Easton’s name flash on the screen.
