When I found the motherfucker that killed that cat, he was going to be sorry. I was betting it wasn’t Chamuco. He sent someone to intimidate Sasha and probably enjoyed fucking up her apartment. I didn’t get the connection to the kids and worried Gina was somehow in over her head. I didn’t mention it to Sasha but the cat’s death was a clear message. They were in danger as much as Sasha.
My Reaper couldn’t wait to exact a little revenge. Those kids were devastated and their pet was never coming home. Was it better to tell them he was gone and give them closure or just wait it out until they realized he wasn’t coming back? Hell. I didn’t know shit about kids.
Flustered, I hugged Sasha closer. I’d let her deal with it. Women were better at this sort of thing, right?
I’d spent a restless night unable to sleep more than a couple of hours. The danger was far too close and with three vulnerable lives in my hands I couldn’t rest like my body needed. Patriot and Rael would take turns keeping watch between the two properties but I was too wound up. My mind wouldn’t stop focusing on Chamuco or the threat he was clearly issuing. A mistake he would spend the rest of his life paying for once I reaped his wretched soul.
Sasha’s phone started ringing and I gently shook her shoulder, caressing the side of her face before I placed a quick kiss on her lips. “Wake up, baby.”
She stirred and a small smile curled her full, sexy lips. “Morning.”
“Your phone keeps going off. Might be a good idea to check it.”
She sat up and stretched. “Okay.”
“I think you should try to get ahold of Gina too.”
Sasha tensed and I knew she was remembering last night. The phone began ringing again and she picked it up, swiping to answer. “Gina?”
Guess that was meant to be.
“Hey, babe. Need to ask a favor.”
I could hear Gina’s voice clearly since the house was so quiet.
“I’m glad you called. I’m with Rev and Liv. They lost Buttons and I came over to help search last night.”
“Oh no! Is he alright?”
“No,” Sasha answered, reaching for my hand, and gripping it hard. “The kids don’t know. They didn’t see.”
“Shit. See what? Was he hit by a car?”
“No. Someone fucking cut his head off and placed it in a bag on your front porch.”
“What!?”
“Yeah. You know why someone would do that?” Sasha sounded worried for Gina. “Are you in trouble?”
“Fuck,” I heard Gina whisper. “I don’t know. Maybe. I borrowed some money and I haven’t been able to pay it back yet.”
Sasha closed her eyes briefly and then glanced my way, biting her lower lip. “How much?”
“Ten grand. I wanted to clear my debt and build credit so we can get out of that apartment and into our own place. Half is for a down payment or it was supposed to be but I got stuck with some extra bills and it’s all gone.”
Gina’s voice trembled and I could tell she was scared.
“Hey, we’ll figure this out but I think you should come home and stay with the kids. Rev and Liv need to know Buttons is gone and I think it should come from you.”
“Okay. I’ll be home in half an hour.”
“What was the favor you needed?”
“Don’t worry about it. Doesn’t matter now.”
They ended the call and Sasha slouched, sighing loudly. “She’s in trouble. I know she is. Why else would someone kill her family’s cat?”
“You’re right. Once she’s home, try to find out more info. I can’t act without all the facts.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Once Gina arrived, Sasha made a pot of coffee in the kitchen and talked with Gina while I slipped outside to have a smoke and meet up with Rael and Patriot. Shadow was carrying bags of trash to the dumpster next door as I stood on the sidewalk, observing both places at the same time. The front door was replaced and I knew he had spent the last few hours cleaning up the place.
Rael sauntered over, his face smeared with the remnants of his paints. Made him look fucked-up in the morning light. Like some kind of serial killer from a horror movie. Bet if I told him that shit, he’d love the comparison. I didn’t but only because we needed to talk.
“I sent Patriot home. He’s got shit to do for Grim.”
Nodding, I inhaled a long drag and let the nicotine soothe my anxiety. “We’ve got another problem.”
“I hate those fuckin’ words,” Rael admitted, shoving his hands into his pockets. “What’s the matter?”
I had thought the exact same thing only yesterday so I understood his meaning.
“Gina and her kids live here. She’s in over her head and borrowed money she can’t pay back.”
“From who?”
“That’s what Sasha is trying to find out.”
He scratched at the stubble on his chin. “Got to be connected to the Scorpions or Chamuco. Made it too easy to hist both places at the same time last night.”
“Agreed.”
“Grim called church for noon. Better wrap up here with Sasha. I’ll meet you back at the Crossroads. You want Shadow to stick around?”
“Yeah. Have him watch both places for the day. I don’t want any more surprises.”
“Yeah, I hear you, Bodie.”
I TEXTED SASHA AND she met me at her place fifteen minutes later.
“I didn’t find out much. She’s spooked.”
“Yeah, I kind of figured.”
Sasha moved close, laying her head on my shoulder. “I don’t know what to think. I’m scared for her and the kids.”
“I’ve got one of the prospects watching both places all day. Anyone comes here or next door and we’ll know about it right
