“Leave me be.” To piss him off further, I take a deep gulp, and cough up phlegm.
His eyes soften a bit. “Dashiell, you can’t keep this up, lad.”
I don’t need his damn pity. “Says who? Without her, nothing else matters.”
“Should you decide to return from the dark side, I’ll gladly discuss your predicament.”
“There’s nothing to talk about. We broke up, or did you speak to her perhaps?” What’s left of my pathetic heart waits for a breadcrumb of hope. Maybe she sent him a note?
Alistair gestures to the loo. “You stink. Go wash.”
“Blimey, can’t a man have privacy, in his own hotel?” Seeing double, I try to poke at the closest Alistair and miss. “You do realize, this is partially your fault.”
“In truth son, I do, which is why I’m going to help fix your mess.” If he uttered anything else, I probably would’ve kicked his arse out of my life, but his sincerity manages to eek its way through my drunken stupor and hit home.
Hours later, I’m sitting in my kitchenette, drinking black tea strong enough to raise Lazarus a second time. Several maids, and three lawn-sized garbage bags later, my room appears much like it was when I first arrived.
As I sober, my heart hurts so bad, I search the cupboards for a bottle. Unable to find solace, I attempt to locate my wallet so I can order in.
Sitting, my dad crosses his arms and watches my pathetic search. “You’ve been holed up here for two weeks. Time to either move on or claim her. I never figured you for a quitter, mate.”
In the bedroom, I search through the back pockets of my laundry. “If you’re referring to my adrenaline habit, then yeah, I’m trying to stop. Come to find out, the brain’s chemistry is more addicting than nicotine. Who knew?”
“Why can’t you admit who and what you are?” He enters the bedroom, leans against the door, and shakes his head.
“Because my shit is going to get her killed someday.” Shouting makes my headache throb, so I give up the wallet search and focus on finding the naproxen sodium.
At the sink, I undo the bloody cap, and take four. “You made me your accomplice at what, five?”
“Actually, you were younger, but you probably can’t recall.” The man sits down next to me and shrugs. “You loved to steal, even begged me to take you along.”
No way is he throwing this back on me. “I was just a little nipper and wanted your approval.”
“And now you’re an adult. So, what’s your excuse?”
“Natch, when you ask me for help, I come running.”
“No mate, not my thievin’, I mean the whole bounty hunting thing, eh? For all purposes, our avocations are separate. And please don’t blame your mum. She may be the reason you started down this path, but where’s her connection to the Russian terrorist caper? So, me bucko, whoreallychose this life?”
I’ve no fucking idea how to respond, so I jut out my chin like a toddler, and scowl. Christ, I hate when he’s right.
“Son, some people bungee jump, some climb sheer rock walls, and others win famous rambling records. The world needs people to take down organizations like Cyber Vonya. To quote Martha Stewart. this is a very good thing.”
“Not funny, and Lanita still hates me. I cocked-up.” I plop down and when I place my head in my hands, he pats my back.
“The way I heard it, so did she.” His voice softens, causingtears to roll down my face.
“How can I possibly get her back, da’?”
He sighs heavily. “Well, one thing’s for sure, you won’t find her at the bottom of a bottle.”
Chapter 28
Landy
“In conclusion, the east coast is way too expensive, and I need to start over someplace else.” Wearing sunglasses to hide my red eyes, I survey the Goth décor of the Brooklyn bar, shift on the uncomfortable bench, and heave out a long sigh. I’m not sure about moving, but I have to do something. Everything reminds me of Dash, and I can’t turn off the faucet of tears.
Sam sits next to me, and her two cousins take up the opposite side of the booth. Earlier today, the Bensonhurst ladies gave me a choice. I could go willingly, or they’d stage an intervention and invite the lawn chair brigade.
