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“Well, he didn’t, did he? According to your information, he was tortured into the job?” The possibility that he was being used as a pawn makes my stomach churn, and that annoys the hell out of me. FuckingNo One.Still, that doesn't answer all my questions.
“Why didn’t he ask us for protection?” Mia continues, hitting the nail on the head. “Apart from keeping him from working for All Saints, he could have given us the inside information about Connor in exchange for his protection." She drums her hands on the table, then sighs. “Well, I guess he'll tell us sooner than later. I gave you his address, right? When are you going to bring him in?”
“I’m working on it,” I reply vaguely.
“Make it quick, and keep it between the five of us.”
“I’m trying, but Ro’s a nosy fucker.” And has got great intuition.
“I know he is," Mia grins, then turns wary again. "Try to keep him out of this, but if you think he knows, let him talk to Logan. It will keep us from having to spill the beans."
“Gotcha.” We say our goodbyes and despite my earlier intentions of a good work-out, I head back home. I need a good sleep. We’ll be celebrating at the club tonight with the entire family, so that means my uncles and aunts will be there too. And my parents. Dad’s already texted me. He wants to know if I’m ready, and I can’t have that conversation without proper rest.
Traffic’s a nightmare, but I still manage to hop in and out of Pinhole’s Coffee Shop without too much hassle despite having parked the car practically on the road. Sipping from my Americano, I put on some Elvis Presley. It’s not quite warm enough to drive without the hood, but I can’t fucking wait. The sunrays are promising enough, and being the summer guy I am, I’m more than ready to spend my days walking in shorts and tank tops. Plus, once I make it to replacing Dad, I’ll get to have the penthouse. It’s got a large roof terrace, and guess what I’ll have? You damn right, I’ll have a hot tub. Sweet.
Parking the car in our garage, I toss the paper cup in the bin, then head for the elevators. It doesn’t take long before my feet hit the bed, and I practically collapse onto the soft pillows. I don’t wake up until seven that evening.
* * *
Barely two hours later, the atmosphere in the bar has definitely turned into one that’s more of a loose cannon. I’m feeling fucking great after my snooze, that only lasted for the entire afternoon. Owen’s assured me that security’s under control, and D.’s out there shadowing Phoenix tonight. Life’s fucking great.
Bottles of whiskey are being passed round, and jokes are definitely getting dirtier by the time Dad and my two uncles show up with Mom and my aunts. Charlie has done a great job at decorating the place, and I watch him and Gabriel chat while Mason and Samuel are standing closeby, watching over them.
Dropping down into one of the chairs, I pick up the bottle from the table and pour myself a generous glass, before passing it on to Ro, who moves to sit down across from me. He’s looking better than he did a few nights ago, though the bags under his eyes show that he’s still not getting enough sleep. He pours himself a drink, then shuffles back onto his seat.
“Remember you told me that Dad would ask me sooner, rather than later?” I ask.
“Hm?”
“Well, I guess you’re right.” A small smile spreads onto Ro’s lips.
“Really? That would be amazing, couz. We could rule this world together.”
“We could. He texted me today, saying he wants to meet up and discuss conditions.” I eye the bar to where Dad's standing. "In private."
“Fucking awesome.” Ro holds his glass up to clink with mine, and a giddy feeling swells in the pit of my stomach. He’s right, it is. Austin might leave our world, but I still have Ro. Still have my sister, and through her, the guys from the Business. They might think I’m an arrogant fucker, but they’d still have my back when needed. Around us, shouts become louder and Vic and Mia giggle when the music picks up. Known for his notoriously bad music taste, I inwardly groan when Austin plays Justin Timberlake’sCan’t stop the feeling.Across the place, close to the bar, Connor’s chatting with Thomas, Mom and Dad. My aunts move discreetly to the rhythm, holding large glasses of cocktails, looking every inch their immaculate selves with tight dresses and high heels.
“Hey man, where did you send D. off to, tonight?” Ro asks, and I practically choke on my drink. I knew he was a nosy fucker, but… Dad turns around, and our eyes catch.
“Just somewhere,” I mutter. He raises his glass on a smile that I return, just like the gesture. My heart’s beating faster in my ribcage, and I don’t know exactly what’s causing it. This overwhelming feeling of love at being surrounded by all those I need in my life, or the promise of becoming the leader of the Void, or Ro’s question about D.'s whereabouts that’s got me thinking of Phoenix. Again. Because that’s where he is tonight, shadowing that run-down apartment building to make sure that All Saints won’t get their grubby hands on Phoenix.
“You know you can talk to me, right?” Ro asks, and the question has me turning back to my cousin.
“D. will be back soon. Are you worried about him?” I counter, to which he lets out a breathy huff. He shakes his head, but says, “Always.” I wonder what the hell that’s supposed to mean. It’s fucking tiring, is what it is. But where D.’s a good guy, someone we’ve grown up with, I can’t say the same thing about Phoenix.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and when I take it out, I see it’s from Mia. She’s standing across the room, watching me, a frown on her face.
Mia: Logan’s off to Port Elizabeth Security picked up on something. I’ll keep you posted.
I drop the phone onto the table and give her a brief nod, then eye Ro, but for once, he’s not paying attention. He seems lost in his own world, readjusting his collar, his eyes cast down toward the ground. I try to gauge his mood. I want to say something that has meaning, something to show him that I’m there for him if he needs me, but I’m not good with words. They either come out too harshly, or too loud, or too mocking. So instead I fill up his glass. He accepts with a slight curve of his lips.
“I don’t—” I say, but he shakes his head.
“This—you,” he points at me with his glass, “is enough.”
But is it ever enough? I have always looked out for my family, yet I’d nearly lost them all. Because our security hadn’t been enough. And the guy who’s responsible, despite him being forced into it, is still running around free. Because I’m not enough. Because I can’t get myself to bring him in, can’t get myself to tell D. to get that skinny ass into my condo.
I’ve been going back and forth between our turf and Greenwood Heights. Spent the last evenings parked in front of Phoenix’s apartment, because I’m not enough of a hero. So far, he hasn’t changed his itinerary. He goes to work, does grocery shopping and goes home.And to the cemetery.Once.
