Page 76 of Flawed

"No. Nothing out of the ordinary," he answers.

I rise, no longer able to smell the stench of Tully's cigar or look at him. I state, "Let me know when something pops up."

Angelo says, "Wait. Don't you want a drink?"

I take the last puff of my joint and stub it out in the ashtray, slowly releasing the smoke. I shake my head then scowl at the O'Connors again. "No, I don't."

I leave the room, going directly outside, but Brody follows me.

He shouts, "Luca, wait up."

I spin, snarling, "What do you want, Brody?"

His face turns serious. "You know I had to do it, right?"

I scoff. "Did you?"

He clenches his jaw.

"Is there anything else?" I ask.

"Hey, I didn't shoot you anywhere that would have long-term consequences," he says, as if it makes up for it.

"How do you know?" I challenge.

He crosses his arms. "Looks to me like you're walking okay."

"Yeah, no thanks to you," I point out.

"Okay. What else did you want me to do? How would you have gotten out of it?" he inquires.

I exhale deeply. I know he's right. I know he did what he did to save my ass. Just like I did what I did to save his butt. Yet, he didn't get shot, so I'm not going to admit that to him.

He reaches toward me and holds out his hand.

I stare at it.

He chuckles. "Jesus, you're a stubborn bastard."

I stay quiet.

He offers, "Truce."

"Whatever, Brody. I don't have time for this," I state, unsure why he cares to make this good between us.

He sighs. "Hey, man."

"What?"

"If you hadn't come forward, I'd be dead right now. My best friend would have been responsible. Can't we call a truce?" he asks.

I ponder his request and once again feel bad for the guy. It would suck to learn the person you trusted the most was a lying rat.

Just like I am to the Abruzzos.

But like he stated, I'm stubborn. I reply, "So this is your way of saying thanks? By shooting me?"

He groans. "You've gotta get over it, Luca."

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