When he didn't I slid my finger behind his and squeezed. There was a loud bang, and then Johnny's body went limp.
Bones checked over the room, finding a wad of bills in the night stand and a few more in Johnny's wallet. He pocketed them all and then gestured toward the door.
"Let's get out of here."
My body felt numb, but somehow I managed to put one foot in front of the other until I climbed behind the steering wheel. Bones cranked the radio as I drove out of the parking lot. My mind kept replaying the shooting, and I expected to feel... something, but all I felt was numb. It was over. The problem had been dealt with.
When the fuck did a person become a problem?
"Where are we going?" Bones asked.
That's when I realized where I was headed. "The orphanage." My mind... my soul felt so goddamn dark that I needed Markie's bright smile. I had to see her to make sure I could still feel something again. Maybe for a few moments I could flee from my world and escape into hers.
"All right, man, do what you need to do," Bones replied. "But I checked into her background and--"
"Is she with another family?" I asked.
He frowned. "No. It's--"
"Is she a danger to me or my family?"
His frown deepened. "Not that I can see, but--"
"Is it some life-altering shit you need to tell me?"
Bones snapped his mouth shut and shook his head. "No sir."
I was being a dick, but it couldn't be helped. After popping off Johnny, I needed something in my life to be untainted. I needed Markie to be someone I could trust.
We entered the building in time to watch her set a stack of papers on the admittance desk. Her back was turned to us, but I'd know that bang-worthy body anywhere. She wore jeans, a sweater, and sneakers, her hair was up in a messy bun, and it was the sexiest look I'd seen her in yet.
"Here's the food pantry inventory you asked for. Is there anything else I can do to help?" Markie asked the woman sitting behind the desk.
"Thank you, no, this is perfect." She gave Markie a quick smile before her attention shifted to me and Bones. "Hello. How can I help you?"
Markie spun around. She met my gaze and smiled, showing off those dimples that made it hard to keep my dick under control. "Michelle, these are my friends, Angel and Bones."
"Angel and Bones?"
"D'Angelo and Franco," I amended. "We're approved to volunteer."
She looked down, rifling through papers.
"They were here yesterday," Markie said, her gaze still locked with mine.
"Here they are," Michelle said, waving the forms in the air. "Yep, you're all good."
The phone rang. As Michelle answered it, Markie waved for us to follow her and headed down the hall.
"Are you okay?" she asked, turning to search my face as soon as we were out of earshot from the reception desk.
Hell no, I wasn't okay. I'd just killed one of my oldest friends. "Yeah. Fine. Why?"
She grabbed my hand, and it felt like she opened a valve, releasing all the pent-up tension and guilt I felt over Johnny. I don't know what she saw in my face, but it caused her to wrap her arms around me. Her body pressed against me, feeling so damn good I couldn't let go. I breathed in her coconut-scented hair and hung on for dear life. All too soon, she released me.
"Don't lie to me, Angel."
"Stressful day," I replied. "I'd like to forget about it."
