Page 126 of Savior
He hesitates, seeming to weigh his options.
Viking makes a move to grab him, but the junkie blurts out a series of numbers.
“And… We’re in.” Viking smiles, scrolling through the contacts. He twists the lit-up screen to me. “Gee, Prez, I wonder who Boss could be?”
“Fuck-fuck-fuck-fuck-fuck!” Rat whimpers, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple.
I shift my eyes to glance at the phone, immediately recognizing the number stored under Boss. I’ve read it enough times to commit it to memory. It’s the same number scrawled in black ink on the card Legion left Vanna that day in her shop.
“Fuckin’ Aces.” I grin, straightening as I remove the gun from Rat’s leg to hold it back in his face.
“Oh shit, get ready to be real happy, Dean.” Viking let’s out a low, airy whistle as he continues to scroll through the phone. “This stupid dick’s got the addresses of quite a few of these fuck shacks they’ve got set up in the surrounding counties.”
My smile broadens. “You don’t say.”
“Oh, I say.”
“Jason’s gonna love this.”
“What are we gonna do with this idiot?” Viking tucks the phone into his jeans pocket, cocking his chin at the junkie, who’s sweating bullets now.
“We don’t need him.”
The junkie’s eyes snap open wide. “You said you wouldn’t kill me!”
“I’m not.” But I don’t waste time letting him feel any relief. I grab him by his filthy undershirt, hauling him forward. He falls on his hands and knees on the grimy floor between Viking and I. With the handle of my gun, I crack him in the back of the head, knocking him the fuck out.
“Fuck Shacks?” I glance at Viking as I step over Rat’s unconscious body.
He shrugs. “I call it as I see it.”
Deciding it’s best to blow this joint while we’re ahead of the game, we take off, then stop at an old diner across town, to see what the story is with the girl on the back of Axel’s bike.
“I’m just trying to earn money fast and get the hell out of this shit town.” She explains. I believe her. She doesn’t look like she uses. Clear eyes. Clean hair and clothes. “This was my first night.”
“Have you met Legion?” I ask.
“No. I’ve heard him mentioned, but I’ve never met him.” She says. “Am I in danger now?”
“Legion’s going to have plenty to worry about, very soon. I doubt you’ll be at the top of his list.” I tell her. “Where were you hoping to get to? You said you want out of this town. What was your plan?”
“I’ve got friends in Alabama. I was going to save up enough cash to get down there. They’ve already got an apartment with a room for me. I just need to come up with traveling money and first month’s rent...” She explains. “I just wanted some fast money…” she rubs her own arm, looking down at the ground. It’s easy to see she’s ashamed and embarrassed. “I don’t know what I was thinking… A girl was going on and on at this bar one night, about how much she makes and how easy it is… I didn’t know it would be anything like this, though.”
“So, you were recruited by a chick?” Viking asks.
She nods. “Then introduced to that biker, Rat.”
“Well, I got five hundred on me. That enough to get you down there?” Viking offers. “I suggest you pack your shit and go, asap.”
She looks at him, hopeful, but hesitant. “What do I have to do for it?”
He scoffs, pulling out the money and shoving it into her hand. “Do I look like I have to pay bitches to get my dick wet?”
“Viking, come on.” I smack his arm, shooting him a glare. “You sure know how to wreck a shining moment.” I turn back to the girl. “Look, doll. Just get out of here. I doubt anyone’s gonna come looking for you, but if that’s your grand plan, jump on it.”
She nods, tucking the money into her shorts pocket. “Thank you.” She looks up at Viking. “Really, all of you. Thank you.”
“Whatever.” Viking turns from her to get back on his bike. “Can we go now?”
