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Johnny shook his head. “I have no fucking clue.”
“Why in the world did you open that door for him?” Magaskawee narrowed her eyes at Johnny.
“You ever try to stop your brother from doing something he’s hell bent on?” Johnny stared back at her with piercing eyes. “Don’t be putting this on me. I got enough of my own shit to deal with.”
Magaskawee gave him a look that could freeze hell over. “Seriously, Johnny? You know anyone who doesn’t have shit to deal with? And by not having the balls to stand up to my brother, you just compounded that shit for all of us exponentially.”
“I’m not Taki’s babysitter, Magaskawee,” Johnny shot back out.
“No, Johnny, you’re Taki’sblood. And that makes it even worse,” she said with scorn.
When Johnny opened his mouth to retort, Magaskawee put her hand up in a stop motion. “I’ll handle this. But you need to let me in there so I can get him outta there.” Maggie began to walk around to the back side of the bar.
“Whoa, girl, you stay right where you are.” Johnny moved in front of her. “You know I can’t let you back there. How many times have you and I had this conversation? Go home.” Johnny reached under the counter and tossed the keys to the Ford at her. “I took these from him earlier. Figured you’d be around to get the truck.”
Magaskawee caught the keys easily and shoved them into her back pocket.
“Come on, I’ll give you a hand loading your bike up. I know that tailgate sticks.” Johnny grabbed her by the arm.
“I’m not leaving without my brother, Johnny.” She shook him off.
“Go home, Magaskawee,” Johnny repeated. “Take the truck and get the hell outta here.”
“No, not without Taki.”
“Suit yourself, then.” Johnny made himself busy pouring an order of drinks and ignored her.
“Johnny!” Magaskawee stood on her tiptoes, leaned over the bar, and shouted in his face, “Open. The. Door!”
“Magaskawee! Go home!” Johnny bellowed back. Then he added—a bit more gently—but with unmistakable meaning, “Honey, just go home. It’s too late now anyway.”
She searched his eyes and realization dawned. Magaskawee slumped forward, put her hands in her head and moaned. “No! Oh, no. No. No. No! That idiot. Not this again!”
Then Magaskawee made a beeline for the exit door at the other side of the bar. Just as fast, Johnny was on her, holding her arm and pulling her back. “You crazy? You can’t go out into that alleyway alone.”
She pulled her arm away from him and spat out, “Then come with me!”
Johnny dropped her arm and put up his hands in surrender. “No. Not again.”
She pleaded, “Please, Johnny. They’ll kill him this time.”
Johnny’s tone was resigned, but firm. “Maybe they will, maybe they won’t. But if he keeps going the way he’s going, you and I both know it’s only gonna be a matter of time before that happens. That boy just don’t learn. Last time I helped Taki, I got my head busted right along with his.”
“I know. I know you did. But Johnny—”
“A concussion and twenty-five stitches in my damn skull.” Johnny shook his head. “Who’s gonna take care of my family if I go stupid from being used as a punchin’ bag helpin’ Taki out again? Hell, I could end up dead with him. And even if somehow we both survive the beatdown? The sad truth of it is, is that damn fool brother of yours will be right back doin’ the same thing the next opportunity he gets! I am fucking done! And you should be too.”
“Johnny, just this one last time. I promise I will make sure it never happens again,” she pleaded.
“You gonna chain him up?” Johnny scoffed.
“If I have to.”
“You know that’s not a promise that you can keep. Now get the hell outta here. I’ll see that he gets home, and if he needs medical attention, I’ll make sure he gets to the clinic.”
“Ifhe needs medical attention?” She looked at him incredulously. “You mean, if there is anything left of him to save. Maybe you can live with Taki getting beaten to death without lifting a finger to stop it, but I can’t.” Then she reached around him to the side of the bar and grabbed the Louisville Slugger.
Johnny snorted. “You think all one hundred pounds of you is gonna go out and scare those boys off your brother with a bat?”
