Page 89 of Lights Out

“No idea,” the guy grumbled.

My phone chimed in my pocket, and I slouched backward on the bench to fish it out. The second I saw Aly’s text, I blew out a relieved breath. “They made it to the garage safely.”

“Took them long enough,” Junior mumbled.

Where are you?Aly asked.

Doing secret agent shit,I told her.

What do you mean?Are you not at his house anymore?

Smart woman, being vague on the details.

Nope. Out and about,I told her.

What do you mean? Are you already doing something for him?

Maaaybe,I texted back.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

I sent her three laughing emojis.

Josh, I am serious right now. Do not do anything for him. This is how they get you.

She was probably right, but there was no way I was backing out now. Not when the alternative was the cops becoming suspicious when Brad’s shit went missing along with him.

I took a deep breath and texted her back.I’ll be safe, I promise. But this needs to get done. Please trust me.

I think you know how much I trust you,she said, and nope, I did not need the reminder of how willingly she’d worn my hand like a necklace while crammed in a van with seven other men.

It’s everyone else I don’t trust,she said.If anything happens to you, I’m going scorched earth. Tell whichever of my asshole cousins you’re with.

I glanced up and found Junior watching me.

“Yeah?” he said.

“Aly wanted me to pass along a warning.”

He raised his brows and canted his head, waiting.

“She said to make sure I get home safe,” I said.

He snorted. “I’m sure it was that PG. You know, for someone not in the family business, she sure shares a lot of our traits.”

The guy next to Junior elbowed him in the ribs. “Maybe it’s genetic.”

Junior turned slowly toward him. “What are you saying? That all Italians are meant to be in the mob?”

“Uh, no,” the guy said, backtracking.

“Because that’s racist, Phil.”

I ducked my head and refocused on my phone. Nope. Not contributing to that argument.

I told him,I said.You’ll be pleased to know that he was shooketh.

Impressive,she texted back.Few people know the old English form of that word.

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