“She ain’t an ol’ lady or blood relative. We can only protect her so much without cooperation.”
Scoffing, I didn’t bother to dignify his words with a response. Semantics. She’d be my ol’ lady before long. We all knew it.
“I’m gonna pick the kids up from school a few minutes early so they can pack a bag. We’ll do a family night tonight since it’s Friday anyway, and all the kids can watch movies and have a pizza party.”
Grim shook his head. “Gonna pretend I didn’t hear what you’re plannin’. Get them to the Crossroads because I need you to find this prick. He’s a loose cannon, and I got a bad feelin’ he’s makin’ plans with the Scorpions to move against us.”
I told him about the call.
“Well, fuck. Guess we’re gonna be ready then.”
“Yep,” I agreed, leaving his office to find Snooki.
She stood in the kitchen, wearing a striped red and white apron and a pair of heels, sashaying her ass as she baked cookies.
“Hey, Snooki.”
“What can I do for you, Diablo?”
“Need you to set up a room for Gina and the kids. Just in case.” I preferred keeping them with me but didn’t want to assume anything.
“No problem. Any preference?”
“The big one Wraith and Tawni don’t use.”
“I’m on it,” she promised.
“You’re the best! Thanks.”
“Don’t I know it,” she answered with a wink.
“HEY, DIABLO,” REV SHOUTED, his little face lighting up as I stood in the office of the school, offering up my fist for a bump.
“Hey, Rev. Got a little surprise for you and your sister. Mind if I’m picking you up today a little early?”
“No way!” He rushed forward and bumped my fist with his own, excitement widening his smile.
“Where’s Liv?”
“She’s not here yet.”
He adjusted his backpack and the straps and then plopped down on one of the vacant plastic seats. “She walks slow. We’re gonna be a lot of minutes.”
“A lot?”
“Like fifty.”
My lips twitched with humor. “I suppose I better sit too, then.”
He nodded before I took the empty seat on his right. “I got an A on my math test. Wanna see?”
“Sure.”
He slid off the backpack and unzipped it, papers and folders a wild mess inside as he rummaged around the interior. A triumphant look entered his eyes when he yanked a sheet out and handed it over. “I only missed one.”
“Wow. That’s awesome. Kickass job, Rev.”
A throat cleared as I glanced up and found the secretary flashing me an unimpressed and disapproving look.