After we’d sat with Grams for a while, she’d wanted a nap. So I’d made sure she was comfortable and headed over to Kye’s house with the two of them.
“I went to Leo D’Angelo.”
“D’Angelo … Leo D’Angelo. Why does that name sound famil—D’Angelo, as in the loan shark?” Kye balked. “You went to a fucking loan—”
“Shh.” I glanced back at the house. “I don’t need that shit advertised. You know Leo likes to work under the radar.”
He was a whispered myth around The Row. The man people went to for a quick injection of cash when they were all out of other options.
“Bryson got you the introduction,” Nix said as if it was the only thing that made sense. I nodded, and he cussed under his breath. “What the fuck were you thinking?”
“I was thinking that Grams needs the treatment. She’s getting worse and it kills me. It fucking kills me that I can’t fix it for her. So yeah,” I blew out a frustrated breath. “That’s what I was thinking.”
“Shit, Z, man.” Kye gave me a weak smile. “I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“You should have talked to me first. I could have talked to Bryson, Jessa, and Colt. Between us we could have figured something out. You didn’t have to go to Leo.”
“Look, I appreciate it. I do. But this isn’t your burden, Nix. It’s mine. One I’ll gladly pay if it means Grams gets the care she needs.”
“But what about paying him back? It’s not an interest-free loan, Z. It comes with some serious consequences if you can’t repay him.”
“I’ll find the money.”
“We’ll find the money,” Nix said. “If you think we’re leaving you to shoulder this alone you clearly don’t know us at all.”
“Nix is right. We’re behind you, Z. Every step of the way.”
“No.”
“No?” Nix glowered. “It wasn’t a question. You made a deal with the devil, and you expect me to just let that fly without doing something to help?”
“Yeah, I do.” I kicked the ground with my boot. He glared at me, and I glared right back.
“Okay, guys, while under normal circumstances I’d enjoy this little pissing contest, we need to stick together over this. Not let it tear us apart,” Kye huffed.
“He started it,” Nix murmured.
“Can we please change the subject? It’s been yet another shitty day.”
“Fine. Have you talked to Celeste?”
I dropped my head back, running a hand over my face. “She turned up here, like you two assholes.”
“She did?” Nix frowned.
“Yeah, although she didn’t make it to the door. I sent her away.”
“Wait a second,” Kye said, looking between us. “What am I missing? Are you and Celeste… Shit, you are. You dirty dog. You’ve been—”
“Kye.” Nix shook his head, and Kye’s expression dropped.
“There’s more to this story, isn’t there?”
“I ended it. Told her not to come around here again.”
“You think she’ll listen?” Nix asked.