Puffy lip. Swollen eye. Head wound.
The animals who did this would get the same pain and bruises multiplied by ten. My conclusions told me this would permanently maim or injure them. I was satisfied by that outcome.
What I couldn’t conclude was why Rainey called me of all people when they were brought to the med center. Maybe she thought I would handle the information calmer than the other guys. It’s true I didn’t put my fist through the wall like Cairo did after receiving the same call from the sheriff, who responded to a dozen reports blowing up the station at once.
No, I did not put a fist through the wall, but calm...
I sifted through the six options for running the Crows out of Bedlam, and discarded each one.
There was only one option now, set in stone when Rainey stuttered on the other side of the phone, holding back tears.
They would be taken down in the harshest, cruelest manner I could plunder from the depths of my intellect, and everyone would know it was me. I’d proclaim it proud in the courtroom, smile as they gave me my sentence, and wear it as a badge of honor as I passed through the prison walls.
Of all the rewards, trophies, and recognition I garnered over the years, this would be my crowning achievement.
Her thin voice drew my attention.
“Jacques, you’re here.”
“I am.”
We were in a small room in the back of the center. Efforts were made to brighten it up. Purple flower wallpaper matched her purple blanket. A small side table carried a fake rose in a vase, water bottle, and a bag of cookies.
“The nurse wouldn’t release me on my own. I didn’t know who else to call.”
“You don’t have to explain.” I sat on the edge of the mattress, smoothing down her hair. “You’re our girl. I’m the right person to call.”
Her eyes welled. “Is Paris okay?”
“They wouldn’t give me any information. Cairo is with her now, though. He’ll take her home.”
She nodded, sniffling softly. “It was Jeremy.”
“I know.”
“He was planning to get her alone, but he didn’t let me being there stop him. Why would he do this?” she sobbed. “Roan hit them hard, but he only went for the Crows. No collateral damage. Paris never hurt anyone. Why would he do this?”
“I suspect...” I trailed off.
“Suspect what?” Her hand poked out of the blanket and slipped under mine. “Tell me, Jacques.”
“They know threats and violence aren’t going to work with us. They tried both and failed. Now, they’re going after our weaknesses. Weaknesses we didn’t know we had. Jumping Cairo wasn’t going to do shit to get him out of this place. But jumping his little sister.” I shook my head. “He’d leave to protect her.”
“They’re going after who you love.”
“Looks that way,” I replied. “Arsenio’s dad’s car, and you and Paris walking around campus were easy targets. It won’t be so easy getting to a sheriff, judge, or the mayor. The same for Legend’s parents behind their high gates, but we won’t wait around to let them try. This ends.”
“Please,” she whispered. “Let’s talk about something else. I can’t cry any more today.”
“What would you like to talk about?”
Rainey nuzzled her cheek against my palm. “Something good. Happy.”
I didn’t have to dig deep in the cabinets for this one. It was right at the entrance.
“My cousin had a baby. Brand new. Born a couple days ago.” I fished out my phone. “An unattractive little thing, but I’m sure she’ll be cute when she’s not screaming.”
Rainey smiled as she flipped through the pictures. “She’s beautiful, Jacques. What’s her name?”
“Fleur.”
“You Stones have a thing for French names.”
“It’s a family tradition. Our last name used to be Perreault. That’s French for stone. When my great-great-grandparents came here, they were pressured to strip everything foreign about them. They changed their last name and didn’t teach their children French. So, we honor their sacrifices by taking a little piece of what they gave up back.”
“I love that. I wish my name had a beautiful story. My mom read the name Rainey in a romance novel and liked it.” She laughed and the cracked, bubbling pot of rage settled slightly. “The rest is history.”
“Maybe you were meant to give this name your own story.”
She smiled softly. “Maybe.”
“Ready to go?”
“Yes.”
I lifted her up despite her weak protests. We collected stares as I carried her across campus. Word of what happened would spread through the whole town by now, and her bruises confirmed the rumor.
I told the guys the Crows would hang themselves if we left them to it. They’d run out of sympathy and find themselves in a town that despised them. That day was today.
Rainey didn’t remark on my bringing her home and taking her into my room. A neat, orderly space, the sheets were laundered and made up. My mini-fridge stocked, and my television remote placed beside her. I made to leave.