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“We had sex . . . a lot,” he says.
I laugh again. “It was just sex. There’s a reason we didn’t settle down.”
“Because I had to break your heart for Leia.”
“Don’t flatter yourself.” I grin. He always manages to cheer me up.
“Corvo,” says Vinn from behind me, “are you ready?”
I check my watch. “Actually, I’m gonna call it a day, if that’s okay. I’m not feeling well at all, and I’ve done all I needed to at the office. Text me that list and I’ll start it on Monday,” I say brightly.
“Fine,” he mutters before heading off.
“Did something happen with you two?” asks Chains. I lower my head, and he groans. “Fuck, Raven. Of all the men, you had to choose that prick? You know how I feel about him.”
“I know,” I mutter. “It’s over now anyway. No harm done.”
MAC
Chains approaches hand-in-hand with Raven. She looks a little happier. “You don’t mind if Raven tags along for the ride, do you?” asks Chains, and I shake my head.
Our next job is collecting from a shop owner who owes Vinn protection money. Apparently, he’s always late paying and now he’s beginning to get into debt. Blade is already waiting for us inside. The shop owner is agitated, and Blade is trying to negotiate, all while throwing and catching a knife. “Why are we here again, Matt?” asks Chains, casually picking up a cannabis tin. There’re all kinds of drug paraphernalia that he sells legally, but his problem is the hardcore porn he sells out back. Locals hate it, and he’s often threatened or gets his windows smashed. Since Vinn helped him out with protection, that’s all stopped. “I’m bored of calling in here week after week. People might start to think I’m buying that bullshit you sell out back.”
“I called Vinn, told him what my situation was. I can’t give what I haven’t got.”
“I don’t believe you, Matt,” says Blade.
Raven wanders out back, and I follow, despite Matt’s protests about it being private property. There’s wall-to-wall shelving filled with DVDs. Raven walks towards the television set up on the desk, takes a seat, and presses play on whatever’s on screen. Moans fill the air, and Raven smirks. “This is low grade, cheaply-made porn. Who the hell buys this shit when you can find it free online?”
I shrug. “Maybe the older generation who can’t use the web?”
“No,” she mumbles, shaking her head. “Something isn’t right. No one would pay for this shit.”
Raven pulls a random DVD from the shelf and pops it in the player. Seconds later, a child-like cry fills the room, and Raven’s eyes widen. I glance over, and she’s covering her mouth with her hands, tears springing to her eyes. On the screen is an older man and a kid who must be no more than eight years old. Raven pauses the DVD and stares up at me with total devastation on her face. My blood boils and I move fast, rushing back into the front of the shop and grabbing Matt by his neck.
“Whoa,” yells Chains in surprise.
“You piece of shit,” I growl, squeezing Matt’s neck hard. I lift him a few inches from the ground, and he chokes, desperately trying to loosen my grip on his throat. “He’s a nonce,” I tell Chains.
“I’m not,” he gasps as his toes skim the floor in his struggle.
“Raven played one of the DVDs. There’s a room full of them.”
“Not . . . mine,” whispers Matt. I land a punch square on his jaw as I release his neck, then he hits the floor with a loud bang. I hear Chains on a call to Vinn, explaining the situation.
Raven joins us. “There’s a lot,” is all she says before I lay into the scumbag again.
Chains pulls me back. “Relax. Vinn wants to deal with him. He’s in the area, so he’s heading over.”
“Fuck that,” I snap.
“I’m with Mac,” Blade adds.
“He’s the boss, not me,” says Chains, shrugging.
“He ain’t my boss!” I snap, laying into the fucker again.
By the time Vinn arrives, the guy is a bloodied heap on the ground. Vinn looks from me to Matt, then back to me again. “Which part of wait didn’t you understand?” he asks calmly. “Do they not understand that word in Nottingham?”
