And me.
I must have called Leo’s phone a hundred times remembering the time when he was only missing for ten minutes, all the while getting his voicemail. Each time my anger reaches new heights. My first thought is of Slade. I'm so used to him being the go-to guy to ask for technical help, but he isn’t here.
“Where the fuck is Zach?” Looking around, I add, “And where the fuck are the twins?”
It's only Sparky, me, JJ, and the prospect. Not even a club girl is in sight. This place has been buzzing with music and life since I first stepped into the place, and it’s now a fucking desert.
“The twins went home to wait for further instruction and Zach’s at Kristen’s,” JJ mutters not meeting my eye.
“My boy is who the fuck knows where and the twins went home?” I can feel my blood pressure skyrocket. “Get Zach here!”
“What do you need him for?” he questions.
“To fuckin’ track Leo’s phone since Hopper ain’t fuckin’ callin’ back.”
“I’ve already got him on it,” he informs me.
I hit call again and the voicemail crackles over speakerphone. I hang up.
“What do you think is gonna happen if Hopper answers?” JJ asks.
I stare at him, imagining all the ways I could smash his fucking face in.
“Are you being deliberately fuckin’ stupid?” I grind out.
“Not at all, Cas. I'm genuinely interested in hearing what’s going through your fuckin’ head, cause Hopper has the upper hand, he knows it and he knows we know it. That phone ain’t gonna ring until he decides to call.”
Sparky drags his ass off the stool and stands himself between me and his son.
“Shit like this is a long game.” He looks to me and says, “You know that, Cas.” And then he looks to JJ, “And you’re findin’ that out now.” He swigs from his bottle and adds, “While we don’t hear shit from Hopper, Leo is alive, so let’s cut the fuckin’ tension and fuckin’ work together.”
I huff, “Are you sober enough?”
“Fuck you, Cas. This shit ain’t even touchin’ me.”
“Put the bottle down then, cause when we do know where my boy is at, we’re hittin’ the road. I can’t be havin’ you killin’ yourself on the road.”
His laughter echoes around the bar. “Please, I could ride while in a coma and still make it in one piece.”
The phone rings and fucking finally, Leo’s name fills the screen. Hitting answer, I put it on speakerphone. My heart pounds wanting to desperately hear Leo’s voice, but knowing I'm not.
“Is that you, Castiel?” Hopper singsongs.
I have to force myself not to react at his fucking sarcastic tone or the use of my name.
“It’s me. Let me talk to my boy.”
“Can’t do that, he’s a little busy in his time out.”
Leaning on the bar, I grind out, “You wouldn’t have called if you didn’t have something to say so get on with it.”
“It’s time we met.”
I catch JJ’s eye. I told him to wait for this call. Now he knows I knew what I was talking about.
“Name a place and time, and we’ll be there.”
“Who’s we? Haven't I taken care of most of your men?” The laughter in his voice riles my blood. Before I can retaliate, he rattles off a location and a time, then the fucker hangs up.
