“Yeah.” Mickey really didn’t want to have a repeat of this conversation.
“Like, left the Gentlemen? Left the gang?” Roger asked eagerly. “Left Cold and smashed his heart into a million pieces?”
“He left.” Mickey wasn’t sure how to answer. “He’s still with us, just not… here.”
“He’ll probably go over to Moultrie.” Crybaby grunted, sitting up with effort. “He’s got some property over there. Another club, shit like that.”
“I thought they were like, I dunno, gonna get gay married and shit.” Roger pouted. “Damn.”
“The fuck is gay married?” Mickey snorted.
“You know, that legal agreement thing ’cause two guys can’t get married. Except like up in fuckin’ Massachusetts or something.”
“Oh.”
“Shit happens.” Crybaby patted Roger’s hand. “Nothing lasts forever.”
“You watch!” Roger held his head high. “Me and Mickey will.”
“We will?” Mickey actually smiled.
“In like twenty years, you’re still gonna be chasin’ my fine ass,” Roger declared. “You won’t be able to get enough of me, like ever.”
“Is this before or after you run around behind my back?”
“Hey, fuck you! Fucker! You fuckin’ told me we were done, asshole.”
“We’ll never be done,” Mickey promised, reaching out to affectionately tug Roger’s hair. “Bastard.”
“Mmm, keep that sweet talking coming,mrrrow.”
“You’re both making me sick.” Crybaby grinned. “All this love and romance is too much for me.”
“Miss your old lady, huh?” Roger beamed. “Don’t worry. Shit is gonna settle soon. I can feel it in my bones.”
“Oh, so you’re psychic now?”
“I just got a real good feeling. You and Scout are gonna be slapping lady bits again in no time.”
From across the hallway, Mickey heard someone start crying hysterically. It was Rowena. Without thinking, he slammed the door back and dove into her room. “Rowena? Hey, are you okay?”
“Roddy!” she cried, rocking back and forth on the edge of her bed with Princess Snaggletooth in her arms. There was a unicorn lamp switched on by her bedside, and she had a small knife in her hand. “Where’s R-Roddy?”
“He’s downstairs, I’ll go get him—”
“No!” she screamed. “Stay here! Don’t leave me alone! Please don’t leave me alone!”
Mickey floundered for what to do, totally lost with how to comfort a very upset little girl, especially one that was armed. He kneeled in front of her. “Okay, okay… I’ll stay, okay?”
Rowena cried even harder, and she smothered her face in her stuffed shark.
Mickey turned when he heard footsteps coming up the hall, and he was relieved when it was Cold.
“I’m here,” Cold said, reaching down and picking Rowena up. He cradled her in his arms, rubbing her back soothingly. “I’m right here.”
“I don’t wanna… I don’t… don’t make me,” she was sobbing, hugging Cold’s neck. “Roddy, no. He’s gonna come g-get me! Please!”
“I’ve got you, you’re safe now,” Cold whispered. “He can’t hurt you ever again.” He carefully pried the knife away from her and gave it to Mickey.
