“You sure you got enough pickles on that incredibly weird sandwich?”
An unexpected giggle bubbled out of me.It was short though from sheer surprise that I’d laughed.I hadn’t been sure I would ever smile again.
“I like pickles.”
He chuckled this time.“No shit.I’m just glad you didn’t ask for mayo, or I’d have had to leave the room.”
Scrunching my nose, I shook my head.“Ew.No.”
He nodded.“We agree on something.”
Picking up my plate, I moved it down a little before pulling out a stool and having a seat.
“Drink preference?We have everything.You can check out the fridge and pantry if you aren’t sure.”
Standing back up, I went to get a drink.He didn’t have to serve me.I already knew I wanted a water.
“If you need something stronger, we’ve got just about every wine, whiskey, vodka, and cocktail shit, but I don’t know how to make one.”
“Water is good,” I told him.
“You sure?The whiskey is better.”
I smiled.Again.
“I don’t think I like whiskey,” I told him.I’d only tried it in Coke.
“Please, for the love of God, don’t tell Than or Ransom that.They’ll take it as their mission to change your mind.”
Why would they care?
“They’re big supporters of it then?”
“Their family owns a distillery.It’s in the Carvers’ blood to make whiskey.They’ve been doing it for generations.Back when it was bootlegging and illegal.”
That made sense.Mafias had been a thing back then.I’d thought they had gone away, but apparently not.They’d just evolved.
“Is that how they got involved in the Mafia?”I asked him.
He stilled, and his eyes shot back up to me from the sandwich he’d been focused on building.“What do you know?”His words weren’t harsh, but they weren’t warm and friendly.
Shit.Why hadn’t Calvin told me it was a secret?
“I, uh … I don’t.I mean, Calvin told me you were in the Southern Mafia.That was why I was safe here.I—he didn’t really know much else.He—he didn’t elaborate.”I swallowed nervously.“Was I not supposed to know?”
His shoulders eased, and he sighed.“I guess it’s fine.You’re living here.You might as well know.Just isn’t something that is shared.But you won’t be going anywhere to share it.”
“I won’t tell anyone!”I assured him.“Even when I’m gone.I … appreciate that I get to stay here.I wouldn’t do that.”
He smirked.“You can relax.Just don’t mention it to any of the others.Your knowing and all.”
He didn’t have to worry about that.I would never bring it up again.
“Hey!You’re making me a snack!”a male voice called out.
Looking over my shoulder, I saw the blond surfer-looking guy I’d met last night, but didn’t remember his name.I’d met a lot of them last night, and I hadn’t been in the frame of mind to let any of it stick.
“Yeah, right.Make your own fucking sandwich,” Forge replied.
