Aries gives a dry laugh. “You’ve picked a hell of a time to break your ten-year streak, brother.”
“When the path of life unfolds in front of us, we wind up in strange and unexpected places.”
“Okay, William Chaucer. Just make sure you keep your head in the game. There’s no physical record of the gunshot wound, and the evidence has been handled from the gas station.”
“Have I ever let you lads down?” I ask, offended.
“No, but we keep each other in check. We need you to have your head on straight, lover boy.” His words are light-hearted, but his tone is serious. Yoko Ono’s happen from time to time. It never ends well.
“I am. But if you think I won’t be advocating for Queenie, you’re out of your mind. This isn’t her world, and she’s one of Sinners’ friends. Let’s not treat her like a stranger off the street.”
“We’re not.” Aries words are clipped. “Look, Ice will be swinging by with groceries in an hour and some instructions from the lawyer.”
I mentally cringe. The road captain speaks his mind and pulls no punches; I’ll be in for an earful.
“Go over the paper with her. We figure if she goes in tomorrow, saying she was sick of being in hiding, it’ll track.”
His words don’t put me at ease. “I’ll prepare Queenie for what’s to come.”
“I sense a but.” Aries’ voice is cold.
“No but. This entire situation came out of left field, and it feels wrong. Makes me wary.”
“Me too, brother.”
I rub my burning eyes to soothe the sting from lack of sleep.
“We look after our own. If you say Queenie is important to you, we’ll ensure she’s protected. The Banks are made of stern stuff. Speaking of, they reached out.”
Looking to the ceiling, I say a silent prayer. Nothing kills a relationship quicker than secrets. You’re testing me, Lord. I’d never be considered righteous by normal standards, but I live by a code. I do what I think is right and have a personal relationship with God. I’m entrusted with the spiritual well-being of my brothers, and I take that job seriously. When you deal with the things we do, you need to be ready to meet your maker and feel like you’re squared. I have to be balanced in order to help them at any given time, and right now, I’m reeling. I have to find my balance again.
“And what did we say?” I ask.
“That we’d look into it and get back to them.”
I close my eyes. Not knowing how my daughter is doing haunts me daily. I can’t imagine what they’re going through. I send a private investigator to look in on her from a distance a few times a year, but it’s not the same. It makes this situation hit too close to home.
“Are they still being watched?” I run a hand through my hair.
“Around the clock. Which is why we need to proceed with caution.” Aries yawns. “I’m going to get a couple of hours of sleep before the meetings start. We’ll keep you posted on our movements.”
“All right, brother. Take care of yourself.”
“You too.”
Returning the phone to my pocket, I head to the room to destroy the morning I’d built with Queenie.