I grabbed a tissue and wiped my eyes. Those tears weren’t going to solve a bloody thing.
My phone vibrated. I expected to see Alanis’s number, but the display showed Punc’s name.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Hey, are you okay?” he asked.
“Yeah. What’s up? Do you need something?”
He hesitated. “I don’t need anything, but you sounded… sad when you answered. Is something wrong?”
Now I hesitated, debating whether I should share. “I’m thinking about Mom. It happens more at night, especially now that I live here again.”
The sound of his sigh came through ever so faintly, and a strange curl of warmth spread through me. Plenty of people showed empathy and sympathy for me, but getting that from Punc felt different. Not exactly better, but far more soothing than from anyone else. Like the difference between tomato soup versus chicken noodle soup when I had a sore throat. Both could do the job, but only one cured what ailed me.
“Yeah, I’d say I understand, but I sure as hell don’t since both my parents are alive.”
“Right,” I whispered. Then I forced myself to talk normally. “Anyway, I can’t imagine you called for no reason.”
That got me another chuckle - this one more of a rumble. “You imagine wrong, Smythe. I don’t have a reason, just wanted to hear your voice and make sure you’re okay.”
“You dropped me off like three hours ago. Not sure why I wouldn’t be okay,” I muttered.
“I can think of one reason and you gave me another when you started talking about your mom. Anyway, I’m on break right now, so I can’t talk long.”
I gave a short head shake. “You’re wasting your break time talking to me?”
That drew him up short if his sharp inhale was any sign. “Talking to you is never a waste, Savannah.”
That was so sweet it shocked me into silence.
“You still there?”
“Yeah,” I whispered.
He sighed. “Nobody’s ever told you that, I take it?”
I scoffed. “Why would you say that?”
“Woman, you went so silent I heard your AC kick on. And that tells me you can’t believe I said that.”
I sat up in bed, laughing. “You did not hear the air conditioner, and you can’t get that from silence, Puncture.”
“Most people couldn’t, but I heard the way your parents spoke to you back when you were young. You’re more than just a pretty face, Savannah.”
My smile fell and I fought the bristle rising inside me. “Thanks for the reminder, Punc.”
“Desiree won’t be picking you up tomorrow.”
“That’s abrupt. Why not?”
He exhaled hard. “Turk’s woman, Suzy, was taken earlier today and so was Yak’s woman, Nora. Just found out they’re both safe. We know Prime took Nora. We don’t know how Suzy was taken - at least not yet. Prime and Ghost have been arrested, but they could post bail unless they get a hard-ass judge. I’m spending the night again so you’re safe. Your sister gave me a spare key earlier this morning, so I won’t have to wake either of you when I get there. Bottom line, you need to lay low and stay away from the club. Got it?”
My head tilted back in a very slow nod. “Yeah. I got it, Punc.”
“You sound bummed about having time off. What’s really going on here?” he asked.
I fought a frustrated growl. “Bills have to be paid, Punc. I’m not one for charity, and let’s be real. Desiree claimed she needed help with her social media, but we never got around to it. Only Lucy had me video her. I know what they were doing. As much as I appreciate it, I have to earn my own way. Dying isn’t cheap, Punc. Mom had some of her affairs in order, but not everything.”
