We pull up to the rundown neighborhood. It’s a well-known drug area. The only thing we were told is someone owes Brooks money. My curiosity is heightened when I realize that, but right now I have a job to do. I follow Kace to the address provided and we park our bikes. We’re extremely alert. I listen to every noise and my eyes jump around not missing a thing.
“Go around back, I’ll stay here. Text me when you’re ready,” I say.
My Glock is in my hand as I stare at the piece of shit wooden door. From the looks of it, I’ll be able to push it down with a finger. The property is set back off the road and even if it wasn’t, no one would notice because the weeds are so high, it nearly blocks everything from sight. My cell vibrates. In ten seconds we’ll both break the doors down. It’s the best way to go about shit like this, surprise them from both sides.
I silently count to ten, as I know Kace is. As I expected, the door falls off the hinges with just a push of my shoulder. “Frankie, where the fuck do you think you’re going?” I ask. Kace has his gun pointed at him bringing him back to the living room.
The house is disgusting. It’s dirty, dusty, and hasn’t been updated since the seventies. Everything is brown and yellow. I’m not even sure those are the colors it started out being. The carpet is yellow, but with dirty ashtrays spilled all over the place, it’s got a nice shade of gray as well. It smells awful like stale cigarettes and dirty dog. I just want to get this done and get the fuck out of here.
“Sit the fuck down,” Kace says, pushing him on the couch.
I walk over and lift my foot, pushing it against his dick. “You owe us money, Frankie,” I say, pushing my boot harder against him when he tries to move.
“No, no, I mean yes, but I need a little more time,” he says, his voice shaking.
“You got more time,” Kace hisses.
I push my boot against him even harder. “Do you have the money or is it all up your fucking nose?”
“Please, I’ll get it,” he begs, groaning when I put more weight on him.
“Time’s up, Frankie,” I say. I lift the gun and before he can get the scream out that he opens his mouth for, I shoot him in the forehead. Blood sprays everywhere and I look at Kace. “The red kinda brightens this shit hole up.” He laughs as we look around.
We are trashing the place looking for the money, or something of value we can take instead. In this fucking place I’m not sure we’re gonna find either.
“Z, look at this shit,” Kace says.
I go into the kitchen and shake my head. “Fucking asshole,” I hiss.
“We can sell this in this neighborhood and it’ll be more than double what he owes us,” Kace says, grabbing the block of cocaine.
I fucking hate doing it, but it’s money we need back so we have no choice. Kace stuffs it in his pants and we leave. Frankie’s eyes are still wide open as we walk past. It pisses me off more.
“I’ll call Vinny, he’ll probably want this and we can get the fuck out of here,” I say.
Vinny agrees to buy the cocaine, so we meet him in the back of the closed down bar back in our neighborhood. We are early and Vinny is already there.
I climb off my bike and he gets out of his car. “Vinny, good to see you,” I say, reaching out to shake his hand.
“I see this wasn’t taken easily,” he says, taking notice of all the blood on my shirt.
I laugh and lift my chin to Kace. “It was taken very easily.”
Kace gives him the block and he gives me the money. “Nice doing business with you boys. Tell Brooks I’ll be in touch.”
We get back to Souls and go back to find Brooks. I notice Finn and he motions toward where my room is letting me know Harper is safe. I nod and we meet Brooks at the table.
I drop the money on it and he smiles. “Well done,” he says, grabbing it.
“Yeah easy enough. I’m gonna get changed,” I say, turning around.
“Wait. Your aunt is doing family dinner Sunday. She wants everyone there,” Brooks says.
“I’ll be there,” Kace says, looking toward me.
I turn around and cross my arms. “Harper is invited, so is your mother. Be there around five.”
Satisfied, we walk out. “I’m gonna go check on Harper and get a shower. Let’s have a few beers before we get out of here.”
He agrees and I go to find Harper. She’s sleeping when I walk in and I smile. I lean down kissing her cheek and her eyes snap open.
“Shit, you scared me,” she says, sitting up. “Fuck.” She takes in my shirt and peeks up at my face.
“I’m fine, babe. Just a little collateral damage.”
She nods. “Get a shower.”
After a hot shower and hotter sex, we make our way out to the bar. Kace and the guys are sitting at a table and we join them. Porter passes me a joint and I take a hit, holding it out to Harper. She shakes her head so I hand it back.
“Dinner Sunday at Brooks’,” I say, motioning for Harper to sit down.
“Yeah, we’ll all be there,” Alex says. He gets up and brings another chair over for me.
I thank him and sit down. I watch them all talking and laughing. I notice myself grinning, when I wrap my arm around Harper. The world seems to be righting itself, in my favor. It’s exhilarating and terrifying all at the same time.
Chapter 14
Harper
I apply my red lipstick and look at myself in the mirror. My hair is in perfect waves, my makeup is flawless. The tight jeans
