Page 23 of Burn Bag

“Yes, and he’s awfully uncharred for being blown up,” I pointed out.

“Maybe his whole body didn’t get blown up,” Lock snapped. “Maybe it’s only the lower half that looks like a fucking barbecue. I really don’t know. But what I do know is that yesterday, Eva was holding it together and today, she’s crying at her house because her husband rolled out of a casket right the fuck in front of her!”

“Yes, but on the bright side, he really was dead,” I said, trying to make it better. “I mean, it would have been so much worse if he wasn’t actually dead.”

Lock’s eyes widened the longer he stared at me. I wasn’t sure if he was pissed or about to have a seizure, but either way, he didn’t look happy. “I just—You’re so—Do you even fucking hear yourself?”

“I’m just pointing out the obvious, boss.”

“I am not your boss! I am?—”

“Technically, since Cash is dead, you are. It’s not like he can come back from that.”

“Unless he’s not dead,” Red nodded.

Lock shoved his fingers through his hair and walked away from us. I kind of got the feeling the meeting was over, but he wasn’t being really clear on that. “Should we leave?” I leaned over and whispered to Red.

He nodded, slowly getting to his feet.

“I want both of you off the property,” Lock hissed. “Do not return until you can prove that you’re grown up enough to act like fucking adults!”

“Ooh, you know, that’s not good for me. Remember, I was supposed to get married this weekend.”

Lock spun around and glared at me. “Move it off the property.”

“But I live here.”

“I don’t give a shit. You are not bringing a woman onto this property and getting married. Not after what you just pulled.”

“You know, I’m the last of us to get married. I would think you would be on my side, here.”

“Then why don’t you ask Eva if she wants you to get married here,” he snarled.

“And if she says yes?” I grinned.

He took a deep breath and blew it out. “I promised myself when I walked in here that I would not kill you. Don’t make me break that promise.”

With a swift nod, I turned for the exit, but I took the chance to clarify things one last time. “So, that’s a yes?”

I saw the paperweight coming, but I wasn’t fast enough. I shifted my weight just in time for it to hit my shoulder, leaving my head intact. “Geez, it was just a question.”

7

KAVANAUGH

I stoodin the church in front of all my friends, waiting for that moment when the new love of my life would walk down the aisle. My mother sat in the front, pursing her lips in disappointment. I knew this was not what she wanted for me, but since my father died, she hadn’t been too critical. I was pretty sure she was too depressed to really focus on anything other than her grief.

“Are you sure about this?” Dash leaned over. “Last chance to back out.”

“Go away. You’re not my best man.”

He snorted in derision. “Yeah, go figure. I was the only one who helped you find this so-called love of your life, and I don’t even get to stand up with you at the altar.”

“So?”

“So, I’m saying no one else helped you with this. That should at least earn me some brownie points or something.”

“Brownie points? This is my wedding, not a competition.”

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