Page 13 of One Last Rainy Day
Sympathizing with my enemy’s daughter.
I might have demanded to take her home tonight to further our progress, but Sean brought her in. This has forced me to recognize her as something other than a target.
Seconds or minutes later, I hear the approach and repeat of his Nova and turn in time to see him exit, headlights illuminating him as he reaches back and fists off his shirt.
As he stalks toward me, expression grim, I catch the resignation in his eyes.
He fuckingknewandignoredit.
“Body shots only,” he clips, just as I throw everything into my first swing.
Chapter Six
“RENEGADE”BLARES FROMmy window upstairs as I press from the bench in our side yard. Sean joined me minutes ago, wordlessly feeling me out as he started pull-ups. Within a few lifts, I spot the knuckle-sized bruises on his ribs that have already faded to a pale yellow. Regret snakes its way in because I’ve never lashed out like that, even if we’ve bruised each other in the past. Those were testosterone-driven scrimmages between punk kids. This time it’s different, and I can sense the toll it’s taking when I catch his weary expression. I go to speak, and he shakes his head. “Don’t. We’re good, brother.”
Neither of us believes that, but my reply is cut off by the clang of the gate as Tyler enters the yard approaching the two of us. “We’ve got problems. Fatty got arrested.”
Sean drops from the bar as I pause mid-press before pushing up the rest of the way.
“On what charge?” Sean asks, fishing out a cigarette.
“Solicitation of a prostitute,” Tyler supplies, disgusted.
Sean gawks. “Pussy? Are you serious? Was he in our fucking van?”
“No,” Tyler jerks his head. “So, it’s still our secret.”
Sean cups the back of his neck, eyeing me. “Thank fuck.”
“He wants a meeting,” Tyler adds.
“Of course he does,” Sean snaps. “What’s our other problem?”
He looks between Sean and me. “You know what it is.”
Sean’s posture stiffens in preparation. “We’ve already worked this out.”
Tyler divides his glare between us. “I did not serve one too many consecutive years in the fucking Marines for the haircut,” he barks at me before turning his venom on Sean. “And I damn sure am not going to sacrifice everything we worked for so you can get your dick wet.”
Sean shakes his head. “She’s not a threat to us, and you know it. I’m being careful. We’ve gone over this. It’s not like I’m going to mark her, but it sure feels likeyou’repissing in circles right now.”
Tyler presses in. Apparently, he’s just as on edge as Sean and I are. He’s bulked up recently, in more ways than one. He’s more authoritative now, whereas he used to let a hell of a lot more roll off his shoulders. We’ve all got our own agendas in carrying out our tasks, and Fatty getting arrested is one fucking complication too many just mere weeks in. Tyler relays as much. “You’re asking too much of me on this one. This is going to backfire. And when it happens—”
“Ifit happens,” Sean cuts in, “and it won’t, and we wouldn’t be in this fucked up position,” he looks between us, “if you two would have told me.”
“You want to chime in here anytime, Dom?” Tyler snaps.
“Rules of war 101, bro. Know your enemy and his weaknesses,” I relay to Sean as I set the bar down and lift, wipingmy face with my shirt before taking a long drink of water. Looking up, I return Tyler’s unwavering stare. “The mouse is already in the trap, man. Not much we can do.”
“Oh, I can think of something. Many somethings. It’s not too late to—”
“Watch your stream, man,” I warn him, temper flaring that I have to remind him of thewhywe can’t call France. “Now you’re pissing onme. Your objection is noted, but, like Sean said, we’ve already worked it out.”
Tyler jerks his head in refusal. “Our window is closing to rectify this. Do I need to point out that one wrong move will fuck us to the point of no return?”
“The fact that we have to defend ourselves to you right now is bullshit,” Sean spits, snapping his Zippo closed before pointing his lit smoke toward him. “I’m cut from the same cloth and wear the same ink. I know how far back this goes because when you were doing push-ups and yelling ‘hoo-fucking-rah,’ I was out on these streets getting our game together. And don’t think I didn’t see you licking your chops the minute you saw her.”
Lit cigarette dangling from his mouth, Sean picks up my dumbbells and begins to do bicep curls. “I know how to separate business and pussy, and I’ve proven myselfmore than onceon that front.”
