Page 90 of Forged in Rain

“Not if Pam killed him in a jealous rage and couldn’t stand the thought of living with her guilt.”

Iris gives me an impatient look. “This isn’t a novel.”

“Really? How do you figure? We’ve already conspired to kill one dick. Now we’re waiting for your mother to do god knows what.” I sigh dramatically. “I mean, really?”

She pauses, her mouth tight, before she chuckles, and soon, I’m laughing with her until my stomach aches, and I’m wiping my face of the tears. This is so fucked up.

Sobering, I sigh. “What if I tell my dad the next time he calls?”

She raises her brows and glances at me. “What can he do but end up in the same damn situation? Your dad’s a hippie.”

Rocks form in my stomach, and I will away the never-ending tears. What if he’s in danger? Joey? I’d die if something happened to one of them.

“We’re fucked,” I whisper.

“Not if we find John.”

“That doesn’t resolve whatever is happening with your mom.”

With a bitter laugh, she turns on her signal and makes a left. “No. But right now, John is the bigger threat.”

“How do you figure? We don’t even know what your mom wants.”

“Because he’s a fucking psycho, Rain.”

“Yeah, well, your mom isn’t looking too good either.”

She glances at me as she turns into a drive before putting the car in park. I’ve never been here before, but I’m still appropriately wary about what I’ll find inside. Except to my surprise, Iris tells me to wait in the car and exits before I can argue.

I can’t see who answers the door before she slips inside without looking back. With nothing better to do, I play on Iris’ phone, ignoring the dull ache in my chest in remembrance of the other phone connected to him. I can’t think about it now. Besides, I’ll have no other choice when we get to the Point.

The Point. It’s like Iris is trying to torture me. Again.

I’m halfway through a game of solitaire when my phone buzzes. Unsurprisingly, it’s from an unknown number.

Any progress?

I presume I’m speaking to Hate when I read the message, but it doesn’t hurt to be cautious.Who is this?

Who the fuck do you think it is?

Listen, dick sneeze, I’ve got multiple assholes on my ass. You could be anyone

Fine. Fuck. It’s H

I roll my eyes and respond.Jesus, why are you being so mysterious?

Because the fucking Mafia is on your ass and mine

I can practically see him glaring at me, and I smile.Okay, you don’t have to yell

Then reality hits me once more. I’m caught between a made man, creepy John, and my diabolical aunt for reasons I’m not sure I fully understand.

The phone vibrates in my hand.Well?

I’ve got nothing beyond that I’m back at home.

What the fuck are you waiting for?

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