Chapter 66
66
HANNAH
“He has a gun because he’s a bad guy,” I said to my mother, answering her question about morticians and weapons.
“Why are you dating a bad guy?” she asked, her eyes wide.
“I’m not dating him!” I tossed my hands up. “I’m going to work for him.”
“Embalming? I thought you wanted to open a bookstore.”
“I’m not embalming anyone.” I shuddered at the thought.
“At least working for this man should give you job security. Especially since the retail space you wanted is no longer available.”
“What?” My chest clenched. The space had been taken? It was my space!
“It was a silly idea. At least this man can give you job security.”
“A man? You think I will have a better career because a man gave it to me?”
She pursed her lips. That was what she thought.
“Mom, the man you want me to work for has a gun and he’s aiming it at me. At all of us. He’s a bad guy. Why would you say that’s better than me starting my own business?”
“Do you hunt?” Dad asked Sal. “I think that’s the wrong kind of gun for big game. Especially if you’re looking to make a trophy of it. Too much splatter. If you get one, let me know. I can taxidermy it for you.” He actually pulled out a business card from his pocket and held it out to the mafia boss.
“Who wants punch?”
I spun about. What the fuck? Perry? He was holding a tray with glasses filled with a red drink. Had he been in the kitchen all this time?
“I’m trying out a new kind of juice for the Sunday service. It’s a special retreat this weekend. Thought maybe your new friend might want some. Even sinners like you get thirsty.”
Sal made a funny sound, and I turned back to him. I wasn’t sure if he was having a heart attack or what, but he looked really pained.
My family could do that to someone.
“Perry, he’s holding a gun,” I said, not believing I had to remind them of that dangerous fact. “Now might not be the time.”
“I didn’t miss it,” he replied with a shrug. “This is an open carry state. ”
Oh. My. God.
Where the fuck was Paul? If he didn’t get here soon, I was going to teleport like Jack wanted and leave my family to whatever fate Sal had planned.