“This ain’t work. This is personal.”
“Oh, fuck.” He laughs. “Who touched that pretty girl? Some prick stare too long in the store? Because I’m just saying; you have a reputation for overreacting. She’s allowed to flirt, but she ain’t allowed to touch.”
“No, she’s not allowed to flirt, but this isn’t Jess, anyway. You got space for us?”
“Us? You and Eric?”
“Nah, me and another friend. He’s cool.”
“You vouch?”
“For now, but I reserve the right to blow out his brains if he fucks me over.”
Spence chuckles. “You want me on site?”
“Dealer’s choice. You can play, too, if you want. Or you can go. But no matter what, it’s in and out. One hour. Clean up. No one will squeal. It’ll be like it never happened. We’re going old school.”
“Old school? Fuck, son. I wanna play. How long till you get here?”
Kane looks to me. To the bag in my hand. To the gun in his. Then back to Graham’s house. “Twenty minutes. Turn the feed off. I don’t even want my headlights on there. We’re ghosts.”
“Already off.” Spence moves around wherever he is. “Feed’s off. The range is empty. Consider this place Chuck E. Cheese, and you’re the birthday boy. The place is yours.”
“Good deal. I’ll beep you when we’re five out.”
“See you soon. I’ll get the room ready.”
Kane’s eyes come to mine. He studies me. He tilts his head. Then he grins.
“Get us a blowtorch. And tools. Lots of tools. And blades.”
“Fuck me, Bish. I’m feelin’ a little gay for you right now. It’s been too long since I got to hurt anyone.”
Kane laughs, and with a shake of his head, he slides the cell into his pocket. “He’s in.”
“You trust him?”
“I trust him more than I trust you. That’s not a personal jab, that’s just reality. He and I go way back. We’re already blood in. My trust in you relies solely on who you’re in love with. Soon, after tonight, you and I will have a different bond. A brotherhood. But for now, I just hope my love for Jess isn’t blinding me to you.”
“I won’t fuck you over.”
“Said every guy who ever fucked me over, three seconds before he fucked me over. You know who never said that? Who never pretended to be innocent?” When I don’t answer, he nods. “Jess. Not only didn’t she say she wouldn’t hurt me, but she told me she was gonna shoot. That’s the kinda honesty I want in my life. When you got the balls to tell a fucker you’re gonna shoot him, then you follow through, you earn my trust.”
“So when I turn and decide I’m done with you?”
“Say it to my face, then look me in the eyes while I gut you.”
“Fuckin’ savage, man.” I shake my head and begin walking again. “You’re a whole new world for us, Bish. We’re just regular folks. Law abiding, school attending, help grannies across the street kinda guys.”
“I help grannies in the street.”
We step onto Graham’s lawn. “You do?”
“When they aren’t clutching at their purses and acting like I already robbed them, then sure. I help. I went to school. I did alright at it. I follow the law when it works for me. Hell, I was the law. But it’s flawed as fuck, so I needed out.”
“Did you figure out your next move yet? Your job.”
“I did. Actually, I might talk to Spence about that tonight. I have plans to make. You want in?”