Page 64 of Savage in the Streets
“Whatever they told you, completely disregard it. I am owned by no one, and they do not speak for me.”
“Look, little girl. I ain’t seen your pop in some months, and your brother is a joke. I’m entertaining him because it’s funny. That is all.”
His eyes scan Bailey in a way that makes me uncomfortable, but I know I can’t come to her aid. She must handle him herself.
“Did you promise them anything?”
For the first time since stepping off the elevator, Bruce looks uncomfortable.
When he remains silent, Bailey continues with, “Let me guess—you’re having a hard time holding onto the Blood Angels. My father and brother might be idiots, but people still remember my grandfather quite fondly, and they’re holding out.”
“They’re the ones that came to me, telling me that marriage to you is my best option. I would have said no outright, but you’re a spicy little nugget. Why deny myself the pleasure of getting to know you a little better?”
“So you just said yes to marrying me?”
“Look, I didn’t say yes to anything. I agreed to spend time with you. What man in his right mind wouldn’t? If something came of it, so be it.”
“Can you tell me the timeline?” I interject, not trying to disrespect Bailey, but needing the information.
“Big Jim Savage came to me almost a year ago. Big Pussy Caleb, ehh, three months, give or take.”
“Can you show me when Caleb first contacted you?” I ask. “Just to be sure?”
Bruce brings out his phone, taps the screen, then shows me a message from Caleb.
Bingo!
I smile reassuringly at Bailey. “It was before you were jailed. This is great. It further proves that Jim and Caleb are working together and not independently. I was fairly sure of it, but this just spells it out.”
Bailey’s brow furrows. “I just don’t get it. They hate each other.”
“I know it’s hard to wrap your head around, but both your father and brother came to Bruce with the same offer—you. Desperate times makes for strange bedfellows.”
Bailey nods her head apprehensively.
“Do you know who this woman is?” I hand over a picture of the person claiming to have met with Bailey.
Bruce looks at the picture briefly, then hands it back, but before he does, he gives it a double-take, recognition lighting his eyes.
“Who is she?”
“Does it look like I run a senior living facility?” he snarks. “I’ve never seen her before in my life.”
“That’s bullshit, and we both know it,” I challenge.
“I would be offended if I gave a fuck about people like you,” Bruce shoots back. “Besides, snitches get stitches.”
“That’s what my five-year-old says,” Mabel cuts in.
Bruce waggles his brow at her. “Smart boy. Must have a good momma teaching him right.”
“If you could just point us in the right direction, I’ll give you what you really want,” Bailey offers.
My gut twists in knots. Is she offering to marry Bruce?
“Listen, Sweet Thang, I don’t need a plus-one if ya know what I mean,” Bruce says. “But if you need a proper send-off before going to the slammer, I’m your man.”
“How about my brother and father get put away, so you don’t have to contend with them anymore,” Bailey offers.
