I let out a watery laugh. “Even after I cause a war with Viktor Orlov?”
I filled Gerald and Boone in on what’s happening so they’re alert for anything.
“Especially then. Your dad would be proud of you no matter what.”
Even if he found out I’m a serial killer? “I know.”
“You make sure those boys know that if they treat you with anything less than the respect you deserve, I will castrate every single one of them.”
I let out a laugh, the tension leaving my body at that threat. “You might have to beat Micah to it, but I’ll let them know.”
He chuckles, pulling me closer. Gerald and Boone were like surrogate fathers to me when my dad passed away, and there’s nothing in this world they wouldn’t do for me or I wouldn’t do for them. They have been in a relationship longer than I’ve been alive, and it is indeed one of the greatest love stories I’ve ever heard. It still breaks my heart that they had to hide it for so long because of how judgmental the Mafia world actually is, and they didn’t want to do anything to embarrass my dad. Which it wouldn’t have, ever.
We sit there and watch the fish swim around until Gerald pokes his head out of the door, telling us Playboy is awake. I follow him into the house to the back bedroom downstairs. Gerald pushes the door open, and as soon as Playboy’s eyes land on me, he shrinks back into the bed.
“I’m not here to hurt you,” I tell him softly and sit down on the edge of the bed.
“Wh…why are you here?” he asks.
“I need to ask you a few questions.”
Gerald shuts the door and leans back against it with his arms crossed over his chest. “And you will answer them,” he warns. Playboy nods like a bobble head making his hair flop over his eyes.
“What’s your real name?” I need to get his real information so Holden can look him up.
“Jeffrey,” he swallows, “Jeffrey Barnes.”
“How old are you?”
“Nineteen.”
I finally look him hard in the eye, letting him know I’m not playing games. “What do you do for Zane?” He swallows again, and I can see him shutting down. “You have to know what would happen to you if anyone from that strip found out you were a rat. Right?” He nods. “Then tell me what I want to know.”
“I just give him tips on big movements.”
“And he pays you?” I know how that works, but does Zane know he’s paying for this kid’s drug addiction?
“Yeah.”
“What do you do for Xander?”
“I just deal for him.”
“Are your tips to Zane just about Xander, or do you just run around snitching on everyone?”
“I’m not a fucking snitch!” he yells, jumping up from the bed and rounding behind me. I stand up to keep him in my line of sight. Not that I’m scared of him, but he’s unpredictable if he’s withdrawing from drugs.
“I suggest you keep your fucking voice down,” Gerald growls, stepping away from the door.
I raise my hand, so he doesn’t come closer and scare Playboy anymore. “Does Zane know you’re using?”
He deflates, all the fight leaving him at once. He shakes his head. “He’s suspected. He sent me to rehab, and I promised to stay clean so he would still pay me. This last tip was the first one he’s asked for since he figured out I slipped.”
I frown. “Zane sent you to rehab?”
He nods. “Z-Mack is my boy. I fucked up.”
Why the hell does Zane care enough about some street kid to send him to rehab? I guess the same reason I do. My heart is bigger than my fucking brain.
