Page 59 of Zero
“I want—repay you.” Fabienne told me. “You save me.”
“What are your plans now?” I asked her.
Bòkò would be taking Ortega and Morena back to Haiti to be dealt with there. But it didn’t feel right to have her go back there too.
“I thought I would stay here.” Fabienne told me in her native language.
“Then getting paid to work would help you get settled.” I replied. “Tomorrow we’ll sit down and discuss.”
She grinned happily. “I’ll go back to the kitchen to help Sarge.”
I offered her a nod.
Exhausted, I stopped long enough to talk to Sarge and Bev. There were a few things I’d like to add to the menu—mostly things in memory of Dude and Bòkò to start out with. I still had to sit down and come up with the ideas before they could be rolled out.
I went out of my way to pass by the base. They said Rei was out on a training exercise with Crash and the recruits.
They didn’t know when he’d be back.
I hung around for about three hours but no sign of them. Eventually, I left and did a drive-by at the house.
He wasn’t there either. His jeep wasn’t in the driveway.
When I got back to my place, I showered and dressed in a bathrobe. I couldn’t have any alcohol because of the medication I was on after my surgery. Instead, I poured myself some apple juice and was going to sit in the back with a book when my doorbell rang.
I rushed to open it, but my heart sank when I noticed it was Justice.
“Wow—hello to you too.” He grumbled when I walked away.
“Shouldn’t you be training with the others?” I asked.
“I don’t train all day.” Justice walked into the kitchen to get a drink then lead me into the living room. “Besides, I’m still a bit sore after all I’ve been through. Bailey, sit.”
I slumped in the seat, jarring my wound.
“What’s going on with you and Zero?”
“Why don’t you ask him?”
“I did.” Justice sat across from me. “I did and he doesn’t want to talk about it. So, I’m asking you because he’s not the same.”
I drank the entirety of my juice and set the cup at my feet. “We slept together.”
Justice arched a brow.
“I don’t need the judgment right now, okay?” I sighed. “Or pity—I don’t need that either.”
“That means you have feelings for him. So, what happened?”
“Feelings? Jesus Christ, Justice.” I snapped. “I’m not going to run out and marry the guy and have two point five kids.”
“So, you’re the type who just fucks random men now?”
I slapped him across the face.
The sound echoed through the house, breaking my heart.
“Do you feel better now?” Justice asked.
