Page 75 of Mimosa

Sonny rushed over to him, kneeling on the mattress. “What the hell happened to you?”

The blond guy was shaking like a leaf and his turned his head away as if afraid Sonny would hit him too. His normally handsome face was completely swollen and bruised.

Sonny stormed out to Rex, whose shirt he took into his fists. “What the fuck happened to Chad?”

Rex grinned and said, “Why don’t you ask Franklyn? He’s the one that came by and tuned that little fucker up.”

Sonny wanted to bounce his head off the cement, but he just pushed him as he let go of his shirt. “How the fuck are we supposed to turn them out looking like that?”

“He said we had enough. After you let that one get away, he needed to make an example for the others.”

Sonny was enraged more than he thought he could be, but he had to play it safe, for the other men and for the investigation.

“Well, great. Is he going to do the same to me? The kid got away on my watch.”

“Nah. It’s accounted for, losing a few to running off or dying. No big deal. We’ll get another shipment soon.”

So nonchalant about people’s lives. Sonny was sick, angry, and he knew it was the end for him. He wasn’t cut out for the job he’d wanted since he was a kid. “Right. Another shipment.”

“Franklyn wants them showered and ready to go. There’s a big party in Golden and they’ve ordered all twelve, but, well, now it’s eleven.”

“I’ll do it. You just watch the fucking door.”

He went back to the men and said, “Listen, we’ve got a job tonight. You all get in a line here and I’ll take you to the showers.”

He looked at the bruised man and said, “Chad, you just…rest.”

After leading the men to the bathroom, he got an idea. “You all take showers. I’m locking this door, so don’t get any ideas.”

After he locked the door, he went to Rex again. “Listen, why have one of us waiting around for the others? We can take Chad, rent him out cheap. The others might start fucking up, risking the beating, if they think they can stay behind.”

“Good thinking.”

“I’ll call Franklyn. I’ll need you to drive the follow car behind us.”

“Right. I’ll go get the fucker dressed.”

“I got it. Go watch that the others are showering.”

Rushing, Sonny got in to Chad and knelt by him, leaning in so he could whisper, “You’re coming with us, but don’t worry. I’m getting you to a hospital.”

The one eye Chad could open was wide with disbelief.

“I’m a cop. A real one. I’m investigating these creeps. Just do everything I say, like you’re afraid of me, and…well…you probably are.”

He nodded and said, “You’ll help them, too?”

“Yeah. I plan on it.” Chad nodded and tried to sit up but then wrapped his arms around himself before lying back on the mattress. “Ribs?”

“I think they’re broken.”

“I’ll help you get dressed. We’ll be in the van, so the bumps are going to hurt, but I’m going to get some help.”

After he helped Chad dress, the others filed back into the sleeping area and Sonny told Rex, “I have to go check the van, make sure it’s got gas, tires are up. If we pull over to fix a flat, that could be trouble.”

“I’ll watch them get dressed.”

He went outside to the van and pretended to check it over, but he took out his phone and called Taran.

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