“This could be why Phil hasn’t responded to meeting sooner. He wanted to make sure Joseph fulfilled his end of the bargain before the meeting. The money is meaningless without the drug.”
Dale nods his head in agreement. “Must be why Bobby has been MIA. Phil has been keeping him busy.”
“I’m just thankful he’s still alive. I assumed he was. Otherwise, Phil would’ve said something about killing him.”
All of us cringe thinking about Erick and how Phil told us of his untimely death. I have no doubt in my mind that if he had killed Bobby, it would have been more extreme. The news of Bobby, and hearing what Phil’s been up to, sets my hope aflame. If he’s been preoccupied with Snap, then he hasn’t had time to fuck with Hazel much. At least, that’s what I’m going to tell myself. I can’t afford to think any differently.
PHIL
My fist makes contact with Dustin’s face in a blaze of furry. Pain shoots through my knuckle as it meets his nose, crunching the bone. His head snaps back, and vibrant red blood runs down onto his lips.
“Fuck,” he shouts, spraying droplets around him.
“My sentiments exactly,” I shout at him. “You’regetting fucking sloppy. Explain to me why the second in charge is wheeling and dealing dime bags?”
“I’ve kept up with my personal clients.” His words are muffled by the hand clamped over his face that’s dripping with blood.
“Not. Any. More. If I catch you being this reckless again, I will replace you.”
Dustin visibly gulps. He understands what is implied by my statement. He won’t be bumped down the ladder. He will be physically replaced. Just a fleeting memory on the wind. Dustin opens his mouth to explain his actions, but I raise a hand silencing him. I’ve heard enough already.
“Tend to your nose,” I tell him as I turn my back on him. “And mop that shit up.”
Dustin almost ruined everything I’ve worked so hard for. If that dumb fuck had gotten him and Bobby locked up, there would be nothing I could do for them, and I’d have no one to distribute Snap. No way would I trust Samuel out there alone. He would take off the second I’d send him on a run, escaping with my drugs and money. Meeting Cash would have been a no-go as well. He’s been waiting to take me down and showing with no back-up would get me killed.
I push the curtain aside to see Hazel sitting on the bed; a washcloth draped on the back of her neck, and her leg propped up in Joseph’s lap. His hands run up and down her calf, rubbing in small circular motions. It’s as if everyone around here has lost their damn minds. Pissing off the “crazy” guyis not a smart choice.
“What the fuck are you doing?”
Joseph’s face hardens, but he doesn’t stop moving his fingers. “She’s dehydrated. It’s making her muscles cramp up.”
“She’ll be just fine without yourhelp.”
“Oh yeah, because you’re doing such a fine job of taking care of her,” he retorts.
Hazel shifts uncomfortably on the bed, watching our transaction with fear.
“You’re treading very close to crossing the line, Joseph. You’ve served your purpose. Don’t forget that.”
He chuckles and slides his hands above her knees making me see red. “Not yet I haven’t. No me, no money.”
I grab his hand and pull his index finger to the side until it pops. Hazel gasps and covers her mouth. Joseph shouts through gritted teeth as he grips his broken finger with his other hand.
“Nothing was said that you had to be in one piece. Touch her again, and I’ll break another one.”
He stands, pushing the chair backward with his legs, and walks toward the curtain. “If you don’t help her, she’s not going to be able to stand on her own at the meeting tonight.”
I smirk at him and cross my arms over my chest. “I never said she wasgoing.”
His face goes slack when he realizes that I never planned to let her go. Only Joseph. Hazel is mine. She’s always been mine, even when she didn’t know I existed. I laugh as Joseph walks away and quickly sit in the seat he just vacated. Hazel’s glassy eyes hold a river of unshed tears. I try to decipher what she’s feeling, but it’s hard to get a read on her sometimes.
“What’s wrong? You scared?”
Hazel shakes her head, her dirty hair swinging around her shoulders. “Everything hurts,” she whimpers.
That’s what she says, but I don’t think it’s the complete truth. She probably thought I was letting her go too. Why she would think I’d even consider that after all we’ve been through…final shred of hope? I haven’t done anything to make her fear me. If anything, I’ve been gentle with her; my apology for overreacting weeks ago. If anyone deserves an apology, it’s me. She’s pushed me to my breaking point, and not once has she said she’s sorry.
“Let’s get you in the shower. It’ll make you feel better. Plus, you’ll want to look clean tonight.” I have her full attention now.
