Me:
You sound like someone else I know. Let me get things situated for my girl and we will head that way.
Closing the thread and locking my phone, I slide it back into my pocket. I listen as Raven finishes up, and by the look on Eddie’s face, he’s fuming.
“I’m so sorry. I feel like I failed you. I’ve done my best to get you out of that life and away from all that shit, but it’s like no matter what, I can’t keep you safe from any of it,” Eddie says, his voice cracking, and I know he’s trying to be strong for her, but it’s not his fault or hers.Life dealt her a shitty hand.
“Listen, you don’t have to be sorry. You took care of me. Raised me when my mother wouldn’t. She didn’t care about me, but you did. Every day, you put in more effort than either of my parents did. You are the closest thing to a dad I will ever have. Don’t forget that,” she replies, tears falling down her cheeks. I have never seen this girl cry like she has these past few days. Everyone needs to stop making her cry. It’s making me even more murderous than I already am.
“I’ve always said whatever you need, I got you. You and Naomi are all I got, and I won’t be letting some fuck-wad take you from me. That wreck was a close call, and I’m going to need you to not do that again. I’ve never been closer to a heart attack than I was when I got that call and saw you laid up in here,” Eddie says, and it causes her to laugh. A smile pulls at his lips, and I think now that we know she’ll be okay, we can all take a long needed breath.
Looking over at Damien, I nod my head for him to follow me. Standing, we both walk out the door and down the hallway to the waiting area. Thankfully, it’s empty, so we can talk in private.
“Eddie’s guy just landed. I sent him a pin to our spot at the landing strip and told him we’d meet in a couple of hours,” I inform him, and he grabs his phone from his jeans pocket.
“Okay, let me go ahead and text Naomi. She said she’d come sit with Raven and keep her company. You know anything about this guy? Or are we just going in blind?” he asks, typing on his phone and looking up at me.
“Nope, not even a name. He didn’t want to exchange shit over the phone, just in person,” I say, and internally roll my eyes. “But I trust Eddie, so here goes nothing, right?” I laugh, and he joins in, shaking his head.
“Okay, Naomi said she’s on her way. So, I guess let's go tell our girl bye and get this shit show started,” he says, tossing his arm across my shoulder and leading us back to her room. Another day, another shit show.
Pulling up to the little metal building we use to fly product out of the country, we see a blacked out Suburban parked and waiting. Looking over, me and Damien share a look, open the doors and get out. The door to the SUV opens, and a blonde man gets out. He walks towards us as I round the front of the truck.
“Hello boys, my name is Jameson,” he says with a sinister smile and a glint in his blue eyes.Something about his vibe tells me he does not fuck around.
“I’m Reyes and this is Damien. Come, we can talk inside. How do you know Eddie?” I ask, gesturing to the door and walking ahead of them.
“Ahhh, Eddie and I have been in business for a while. We keep each other on the back burner for emergency reasons, which I assume is why he reached out?” he replies, and I nod.
“Guess you could say that. See, our girl has a problem with people trying to take her out. She’s currently in the hospital because they almost killed her this time. So, in order for her to get her revenge and for us to get my brother back, we need the upper hand since she’s only working with half of her normal self,” Damien says, sitting on the couch. “However, she doesn’t know we are here,” he finishes, raising a brow.
“Yes, sounds like my wife. Never wants any help.” He chuckles, looking between us both. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a syringe full of a bright green liquid.
“What exactly is that?” I question, looking up at him.
“See, that’s one thing I can’t tell you because if I did, I’d have to kill you,” he replies with a sinister chuckle, which only causes chills to run up my spine.
“What do we owe you for it?” Damien chimes in, crossing his hands over his chest, apparently not getting the same crazy vibe I am.
“Let’s just say, a favor for a favor? When I need something, I’ll be in touch,” he replies, and that pulls my attention back to him.
“Done,” I say, and look over at Damien.I don’t know what he could possibly ever need, but whatever it takes to end this shit.
“Raven doesn’t need in on this. Hell, if she ever does find out, she’ll gut us both.” I chuckle, and take the drug as Jameson hands it over.
“I feel like I would get along with your girl. If nothing else, she would definitely get along with my wife. They both seem to be a bit stabby.” He chuckles as he walks towards the door. “I have a few things I need to attend to, so if that’s all, I’ll be on my way,” he says, turning to look over his shoulder one last time. Me and Damien nod in reply as he pushes the door open and walks out.
We stand there for a few minutes staring at the green liquid in my hand. Looking up at each other, we shrug and walk out of the building.
“I thought Raven was scary, but this guy, I think, has her beat. I have a feeling he's definitely not the person to mess with,” I say, rounding the truck and hopping in.
“Awww come on, I thought he seemed pretty chill,” Damien replies with a chuckle as I put the syringe in the console.
“Sure. Chill. That’s the word I’d use.” I roll my eyes and put the truck in reverse.
We’re driving back to Raven’s house to try and get a decent night's sleep and shower when the phone starts to ring.
“Hey, Uncle, what’s up?”I put the phone on speaker and lay it on the console so Damien can listen in. Then look back out of the windshield to drive.
