“Shut up, Talon, I’m on the phone,” Reid hisses at one point before jumping back into the conversation he’s having.
“That song always makes me laugh. I need to laugh more,” Talon says. Again, he’s purposely being a tricky dicky by saying out loud something so left of centre it doesn’t make sense. Except to me, because in our last discussion he said that very same thing. And then he adds to my confusion by intentionally scenting up the car so much that Reid cuts the call and starts banging on about opening windows again and putting up the privacy barrier. Talon’s almost lazy in his response. “Chill out, Reid. The screen stays down like we talked about. Honestly, don’t forget I’m doing you a favour.”
“Bullshit. I know that smell. You want her fucking pussy,” Reid counters.
And I lock down every urge, including vomiting and gouging Reid’s eyes out.
“Yeah, look, Reid. Let’s be real, I don’t take what’s not on offer. I’d never do that to Lolli.”
“Oh please.” Reid scoffs.
And Talon completely ignores him. “Did you use the syringe I gave you? All of it?” He asks, and I can’t help the noise that escapes me. His betrayal hits hardest. Way harder than Reid’s.
Reid slaps my ass, and I fight not to move an inch. “Of course.”
“Cool. Then she’s going to be out for hours, giving us a chance to talk more,” Talon says. I want to think he’s giving me small things to work with, but it might just be him being a dick.
Reid leans forward in his seat. “About what?”
“You’re making a mistake going straight to the Waldorf. You have to know that’s the first place they’ll look. I mean, you’ve made no secrets about staying there and even with the additional security presence your father called in, I think you’re asking for trouble.”
“They won’t be able to get past them,” Reid insists.
“You’re probably right, but I guarantee every person you left back there will try.”
Reid laughs, his oily malicious laugh, before answering. “And if they do, we have them arrested again. Cap’s good, he’s done what he promised. He’d never go against Dad, they’re friends and go way back. Like us, hey. I can’t believe how well you getting in the Academy worked out for us. Good thing you know how to play the game.”
“Yeah, I know, right,” Talon answers, but it sounds vacant. “Lucky I was there in Cap’s office when you guys showed up. How long ago was it?”
“I reckon it was about nine, ten months since we welcomed you into the circle. Cap said you earned your stripes,” Reid says, “Lucky break for you and me both, hey?”
“Something like that,” Talon replies, and I’m surprised Reid doesn’t take a swipe back at Talon’s obvious sarcasm.
It’s seriously like Reid’s on speed, the way he talks shit. “Can’t believe we got them split so easy when they landed, it was a good practice to see what we were up against. We knew the Fallen would be an issue. They won’t be now, stupid fuckers. I knew if we kept pecking at them, he’d eventually break or we’d get something solid to pin on them.”
“Pity you didn’t get to the station quicker, we could have done this sooner,” Talon answers, “You owe me, Reid, seriously, Sharlene was gunning on about how she couldn’t rely on us. I fixed it, but next time don’t be running late. Anyway at least some good came of it, we found Colt, right?”
I swear I hear a similar shattering sound to what I heard the last time Talon was talking to me. This time it’s not my heart thawing, instead he breaks it all over again.
Reid doesn’t answer, and the mood in the car drops. “Why have you got so much to say now?”
Talon’s so relaxed in the way he talks, I believe everything he’s saying. “Protecting my interest, I guess. There’s no point doing all this and getting our wires crossed again.”
“I don’t have anything crossed. Anyway, it’s done. We got her, we go back home and end of story.”
“And you pay me,” Talon laughs.
This time Reid borrows Talon’s earlier sarcasm and his line, “Something like that.”
But Talon counters immediately, his presence changes slightly, letting Reid know he’s not at all impressed. “You reckon? Don’t try to play me, Reid. Or I won’t be helping when they come looking for her.”
“Relax. It’s going to be hard for them to look for her when they’re dead. Unless the guys in your squad can’t shoot straight. I made it clear to each and every one of them who to take out. Besides, I did tell Colt, warned him I was coming. It looks like they didn’t take it too serious.”
“I doubt that. Don’t get cocky yet, Reid, you’re underestimating the people we just left behind.”
“Fuck off,” Reid spits back.
Talon ignores him for a moment and takes a sweeping corner without warning, making me slide over the bench seat.
