Page 55 of Enemy
Prophet cocks his head at me. “What’s that supposed to mean? Sounds like a lot of nothing to me. Since when are you not up for a fight?”
Shit.
Fuck.
“I didn’t say that. I just don’t think we’re ready, that’s all. What do you think they’ve been doing during the truce, huh? Planted flowers and went on picnics?” I growl out when Grizzly’s comments about the Butcher’s preparation pass through my mind over and over, until I’m lost in my own thoughts. It’stechnicallynot using what I’ve overheard since it’s obvious they would have been preparing.
Prophet spreads his arms. “Let them show us what they’ve got. I’m done laying low, and the other guys are too.” He points to our brothers inspecting the van and talking with big smiles on their faces. All they see in the cargo is free money. I see a confrontation with Clyde and I wonder how to tackle him without breaking any of those lovely bones.
My phone pings in my pocket before I can come up with any sensible answer, because my brain is stuck on Prophet suggesting he plans to get his hands on Clyde.
Rage buzzes in me like a hornet, but my real feelings need to be contained, so I bite on the inside of my cheek until the taste of blood fills my mouth. Whatever we do, thehoneymoon is over. “He shouldn’t have acted without approval. He’s just a prospect,” I add in a low voice that sounds strained even to my own ears.
Prophet nods, looking back at Rooster. “We’ll have that chat, but let him have his moment in the sun. Shit like this deserves the recognition. Remember how you set Clyde’s bike on fire? Crazy move, but you saw the opportunity, and what can I say? The look on his face was worth it.”
I pull out my phone and my stomach drops when I see a message from Clyde.
[Call me. NOW.]
I must have made a face, because Prophet gives my cheek a gentle poke. He’s being playful, trying to loosen me up and work out what’s bitten my ass, but for once in my life I do have something to hide, and his inquisitive gaze is a threat. “You look like you’ve just spotted the Grim Reaper.”
“Again, I don’t need protective runes, or amulets… you know I don’t really believe in all that stuff,” I say, frantically wondering how to excuse myself for long enough to make the call without arousing suspicion.
“And look who ended up with all their limbs broken last year,” he mumbles and pulls on his thick beard. I don’t need to have this conversation right now, but before I can release my anger, Prophet delivers the excuse I need straight into my lap. “You having trouble with your shy girl?”
“That… yeah,” I mumble, stuffing both my hands into my pockets.
Prophet reaches toward my top, and I only understand what he’s doing when he pulls a long hair off it with a smirk.
“Blondie?”
I groan and say nothing, but my heart speeds up. It’s ridiculous of me to worry. Prophet wouldn’t possibly be able to put two and two together, but it still feels as if Clyde’s shadow is already too close.
“Maybe you should give Carla a shot after all. That girl’s not shy, I can tell you that.” He smirks and we both glance at Carla climbing the van in nothing but her booty shorts and a wide smile. I can see why someone might be attracted to her—she has all the right curves, and a personality many guys enjoy. She also gives good head, actually, but that is beside the point, because getting wrapped up in some fake relationship in order to divert attention from whatever might be happening in my secret life is the last thing I need.
“I know, but I don’t want Carla. Need to call my girl,” I tell Prophet, stepping away from him at last.
Prophet waves me off with a smirk and joins the others as I walk off.
Clyde might not be“my girl”, but he sure feels likemysomething, and that thought chokes me, until I have to massage my neck to relieve the sudden tension in it.
As soon as I’m far away enough for the call to be private, I choose Clyde’s number, and he answers before the first ring even ends.
“That’s how you repay me?” he yells, and I can envision him pacing in his bedroom, face red.
“I had nothing to do with it,” I whisper, looking around, worried someone might be in the bushes, or beyond the nearest hill and overhear me.
“Oh yeah? I tell you to stay off one road.Onedamn road. And the next thing I hear is one of your guys stole our van! Did you send him just so you could tell me you didn’t know? You think I’m stupid?”
His words shouldn’t hurt, but it’s as though he’s slicing me open with his mistrust. And the worst thing is, I hold the kind of secrets which deserve it and then some.
“You think I’d lie like that? For a van?” I slam my hand against the nearest tree, and the impact travels up my arm, soothing me with pain. “If I wanted to use you, I’d do it in style. The damn transport was here when I arrived. One of ours took it because he saw an opportunity. The guy moving the goods didn’t do his job, or you didn’t send anyone to escort the van.”
“Oh? So now you’re telling me I didn’t do my job right?” Clyde’s yelling my ear off, and still, I’m happy he’s not just hanging up and telling me to forget he exists. I wish I was there to let our bodies do the talking, but that’s not going to happen.
“I’m saying that I didn’t do this. Literally told them to return the fucking van, but it’s a lost cause. They want blood as much as your uncle does,” I say and rest my forehead against the rough bark.
“Fuuuck!” he yells, and by the following sounds, I’m guessing he’s punching the wall.
