Page 111 of Devilish Debt

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“I’d give him a fuckin’ reach around if it meant my family’s safety.”

Squeezing them tighter shut is attached to a choked, “Kipp?”

“I’d trade my life for theirs no matter the situation.”

I slowly nod in spite of the fact they can’t see it.

When too much silence has passed between us for his liking, Nolan cautiously investigates, “Everything good down there, Zero?”My lips press tightly together to prevent from answering.“Garcia alright?”

No.

Because ofmehe’s not.

And neither is Salay.

I’m the only one to blame here, just like I’m the only one who can make it right.

“I gotta go,” leaves me in a shakier voice than intended, “but I’ll tell him to call you as soon as he can.”

“Wh-” is all that manages to reach my ears courtesy of me ending the call.

Dropping my head forward on a heavy sigh occurs in tandem with tears rimming my eyelids.

I only have one move to make.

I guess it’s time to make it.

Chapter 22

Garcia

I know drinking in the sun can be dangerous, but I didn’t think I hadthatmuch tequila.

Slow smacking movements begin in tandem with me battling to open my eyes.

They shouldn’t hurt this bad.

They shouldn’t fucking hurt at all.

I don’t wear cheap sunglasses.

I don’towncheap sunglasses.

I don’t evenlookat ones that don’t require the checkout girl to have a key to the display.

Why do they feel so goddamn dry?

Like they could crumble quicker than a stepped on Cheeze-It if I were to let a bit of light in?

Dio Mio…Zero and his damn crackers.

I swear if I step on another one on my way to the bathroom tonight, I’m gonna throw his whole stash out and find some rule of law to make it justifiable for getting crumbs between my toes.

Another round of aches begins thumping at my temple igniting a deep, guttural grumble.

Shit.

It might be time to stop drinking.

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