Me: Before you leave, make sure you grab me a bag of the D blend and whatever else you want me to try. I’m gonna tell Blade and Ryder what’s going on and get high, play my guitar, and sleep.
Three dots appear, then stop, then start again. I set down my phone to get dressed. Rip is the slowest texter I have ever met. Most of the time, I call him, but I’m not in the mood.
While I’m slipping on a black tee, my phone dings at last with Rip’s text. I reach for my smokes and head toward the conference room before I check.
RIP: Leaving now. I’ll grab you some D, but definitely go with my new blend. If you have a bunny with you, even better. I’m putting it in a separate bag. You want me to stop by Pussycat also?
Me: yeah.
Leave it to Rip to be so laid back about getting robbed. He’s more excited about his latest blend of weed than having spent the entire day transporting one grow house to the other.
Rip’s good for me to be around. I can get all dark and shit, but he just gets high and rolls with it. He shows up when I need him. He’s loyal and he doesn’t hesitate.
I swing the conference room door open to laughter. Blade and Ryder have their feet on the old wooden table, a big batch of Amy’s famous guacamole and chips along with a bottle of Cazadores tequila in the middle. For a moment, I’m jealous.
“You couldn’t wait?” I fling myself into my chair. My phone vibrates. Frowning at the unknown number, I decline it, but I don’t like it.
To be honest, I’m not liking much lately. Fucking Edge, he has to be coming back soon. I reach for a chip when my phone lights and vibrates with the Pussycat’s number.
“Christ.” I scoop up a large amount of guacamole on another chip and grit out, “What?” Loud music permeates my ear.
“Axel, thank God,” Crystal screams into the phone.
I roll my eyes and grab another chip. “I’m not coming in tonight—”
“Axel?” She screams so loud that both Blade and Ryder look at me and pour me a shot.
“Jesus Christ, Crystal. I’m not co—”
“It’s loud in here and I can barely hear you,” she yells. I almost tell her to go to the office where there’s no music, but whatever.
“So, the police called about Candy. I’m texting you her address. The cop asked for you.” I move the phone to my other ear and sit up.
“What the fuck, Crystal? What police?”
“Apparently your girlfriend has a weapon… or something about a bat. I couldn’t hear it all, but they want you to go get her. Oh, and be nice. Clearly she has no one. I texted you her address.”
The line goes dead. I look up at Blade who’s frowning.
“What now?” he says.
“God damn it.” I grab the shot and down it as my phone dings and lights up with Crystal’s text.
Antoinette Van Doran
1428 N. Fountain Ave. Apt. 6D
Hollywood CA 90038
I push on the unknown number as I look at the ceiling.
“Officer Ortega here.”
“This is Axel Fontaine. You called me a few minutes ago?”
Ryder’s boots drop to the floor.
“Yes, I did try calling a few minutes ago. This is about an Antoinette Van Doran? Do you know her?”
“I do.”
“Well, she’s in a bit of trouble and she gave your name to contact.”
“What’s happened?” My heart is pounding so hard I feel it in my temples, but I try to ignore it.
“She’s threatening a family with a bat,” he states flatly.
“I’m sorry, what?” I hiss, glancing at Ryder and Blade.
“I don’t think she’s really a threat, which is why I’m calling. But she needs some help.”
I motion for Ryder to write. “Can you tell me what’s happened, Officer Ortega?”
Ryder instantly starts typing on his laptop.
“From what I can tell, she’s squatting, and the new tenants are upset. They have a baby and want her out. She says it’s all a mistake. That a roommate took the rent money. But she did say she would protect herself.”
“Are you planning to arrest her?”
Ryder flips the computer to face me. It shows a picture of Officer Ortega’s face with all his information.
I scan quickly. He’s been on the force eleven years. Not part of our division that takes bribes. He’s Hollywood, which, of course, is Edge’s turf.
“I’m on my way.”
“You’re her employer? A boyfriend?” I can tell he’s running my name through his own system.
I look over at Blade who stares, looking almost puzzled.
“I am,” I bark into the phone. The way Blade and Ryder are staring at me is making me uncomfortable.
“Look. Honestly, I’m not getting the feeling it’s her fault, but I can’t have her threatening people.” He talks in clipped tones.
“I’ll be there in less than twenty minutes.” I hang up and turn to both my brothers.