Page 135 of Crow
CHAPTER23
Crow saton the back porch, staring vacantly at the mountains painted with wildflowers and thick evergreens. For the past week, he was consumed with trying to find who had terrorized Angie. The incident she’d endured enraged him, and he hated like hell that he wasn’t there to protect her.
“What’s happening?” Aztec asked as he plopped down on the chair next to Crow.
“Nothing.”
“Something’s going on. You look madder than hell.” Aztec stretched his legs and took a drink of beer.
“Why the fuck can’t I find this sonofabitch?” he asked, kicking the table hard with his boot.
“It’s tough, dude. The asshole’s got the upper hand.”
“But Angie knows him, or at least has crossed paths with him. How fuckin’ hard is this to figure out? Alina’s not that damn big.”
“Right, but the SOB knows his every move, and you don’t. He’s the one in control right now.”
Anger rippled through Crow so fiercely that his whole body shook. “And that’s exactly what’s driving me fuckin’ crazy!” He jumped up and paced the patio as rage pulsed in his veins.
“I get where you’re coming from. I hate when the control’s outta my hands.” Aztec put the beer can on the table.
He stopped and leaned against the wall. “I have to find this motherfucker.”
“Tell me how I can help. Brothers are here for you.” Aztec held out a joint to him.
Sighing, Crow ran a hand through his hair. “I know.” He took the spliff and put it between his lips.
“Let’s get a list of everyone your woman knows or has been in contact with since she moved here.”
“I made one up already, but it’s not complete. She doesn’t remember everyone. Shit.” He took a big hit, inhaled deeply, and blew it out in a long, steady stream. “And then there’s Jim. It’s going on three weekssince I’ve seen him. My gut tells me he’s gone.”
“Mine too.”
“Fuck!” He slammed his fist against the stucco wall over and over, ignoring the pain and blood dripping down his forearm.
“Let’s look for Jim.”
Aztec’s voice pushed through the fury and helplessness Crow had been feeling regarding the protection of Angie and Jim. Breathing heavily, he looked over at his friend.
“We can get a search team together,” Aztec said.
“That’s a good idea.” He should’ve thought of it, but he’d been obsessing over what had happened to Angie, that he’d turned into a pathetic pussy. Forming a search party would mean that he’d be doing something to find Jim instead of just brooding in anger.
“You can bring it up at church.” Aztec stood up and handed him a bunch of napkins off the small table.
“Thanks,” he mumbled, applying pressure to his bleeding hand.
“What the fuck’s going on?” Eagle asked from the doorway. “You guys settling some difference?”
“No,” Aztec said as he walked past him.
“Dude?” Eagle stepped out onto the patio.
“It’s nothing. Just pissed as fuck about everything.”
Eagle clasped Crow’s shoulder. “You’ll find him. We’ll help you. And I know you’re worried about Jim.”
Nodding, he gripped his friend’s arm, then pulled away.
