Chapter 4 #2
I sigh. “He’s going to want to know where you got it. Are you in trouble with some other group that sells guns? Did you steal it from someone who does?”
Keith nudges Joey, and they share a look. Their ability to have full conversations right in front of me without making a sound is impressive.
“It’s a sample. I didn’t mean to leave it at your place. When I picked Joey up at the apartment, I was showing it to him. Your damn cat got out, and we had to go hunting her down. I left it on the counter.”
I frown. “Keith, Marion wasn’t in the apartment when I got home. One of the neighbors had her.”
“Yeah, we couldn’t find the stupid thing. I mean I did find her, but when I grabbed her, she hissed and swiped her damn claws at me.” He shows me the thin scratches on his hand. “So I left her.”
Part of me wants to rage at him for letting her loose in the building and leaving it to chance that I’d get home before she got outside.
Marion doesn’t like the boys that much. It’s not their fault; she’s a real man hater to begin with.
The last time I brought a guy home for the night; he’d spent half the night trying to get her off his leg.
It would have been cute, her crawling up his leg, except she had a murderous look in her eye and her hair stood on end.
He’d lasted ten minutes before claiming he had an early morning and had to run.
He was a DJ at a club that didn’t open until seven in the evening.
She systematically doesn’t like men.
“Okay, fine. But how did you get it? I’m serious; he’s going to want to know.”
“You tell him it’s none of his damn business. Just call your friend.” Keith wags his hand at the phone.
“Fine.”
Nicolette answers on the second ring. “Hey, hon.”
“Hi.” I’m such a louse calling her for Lev’s number. “I have a weird ask.”
“Oh? Like pick you up no questions asked weird, or you need me to bring a shovel over tonight no questions asked, weird?”
“Aren’t those both along the same vein of weird?”
“Depends on if there’s a dead body involved.” She pauses. “Is there?”
I laugh. “No. Of course not.”
“A naked one?”
“You’re crazy.”
She sighs. “No, I’m lonely. I haven’t been on a real date in forever. I’m getting bored. So what did you need to ask.”
“It’s about your brother.”
“Lev? Did he do something?” She loves the big lug, and she should since he’s her older brother, but she also feels the pain of his arrogance and overprotective nature.
“No, but I need to talk to him. Would you be comfortable giving me his number?” My eyes meet Joey’s.
“Yeah, of course. I’ll text it to you. Everything okay?”
“Yep. Just need to ask him a quick question.”
“And it’s not a dead body?” She lowers her voice, as if to keep from being overheard by anyone in the background.
“No!” I force some levity into my voice. “He helped me the other night when I was locked out of my apartment; I only wanted to thank him. That’s all.”
There’s a pregnant pause. “Okay.”
“Seriously, Nicolette, that’s all.”
“Sure. Of course. I’m sending it now.” My vibrates as the text comes through. “Hey, you’re still coming to my party, right?”
“Of course, I am. How can I not be at your big send off?” With Vee caught up with Ivan and Nicolette going away for an internship in France, I’m going to have a lot of time on my hands.
Keith’s eyebrows are lifted so damn high they’re practically gone from his forehead. These two really need to learn some patience.
“Great. You know where it is?”
“I have the address at home. Seven o’clock, right?
“Yes. I can ask Lev to send a car if you need.”
“No need. I’ll find a garage or something.” There is no way in hell or heaven I’m letting that man do anything remotely close to a favor for me. Especially not now.
“You sure? I think it would be easier. Maybe he can pick you up on his way over.” I think this girl is trying to play matchmaker.
“Absolutely not,” I answer right away. “I’m going to thank him for his help the other night, and that’s it.”
“Uh huh.” She laughs. “Okay, I gotta run. I’ll see you at the party!”
“Perfect. Thanks again.”
“No problem.”
Once I end the call, I stare at the message with Lev’s phone number. She’s inserted a tiny black heart emoji in front of and behind her brother’s phone number.
“Finally.” Keith rolls his wrist. “Now call Lev.”
“This call isn’t going to go the way you want it to.” I warn them but hit the phone number in the message and wait for the phone to dial.
“Max.” Lev answers on the first ring.
It throws me, I thought for sure he’d send me to voicemail as an unknown caller.
“Uh, yeah. Hi.” Why are my cheeks heating? “How did you know it was me?”
“Your number is in my phone. What’s wrong?” His voice is deep with the usual rod of steel going through it.
“Nothing. I mean, well, other than you still have my brothers’…”
“Gun. I have their gun.” He provides when I trail off.
“Yes.” I clear my throat. “I need it back.”
“No.” His answer is quick and hard.
“You can’t say no.” I protest.
“Just did.”
My teeth grind together. Keith’s looking at me with annoyance, like he doesn’t understand why I can’t get the job done here.
“I need it back.”
“Maybe you should ask nicely.”
I close my eyes and push up my glasses to pinch the bridge of my nose. I need patience, and if the good Lord would see fit to grant me some here it would not go unnoticed.
“May I please have the—uh— gun back.”
His answer is immediate. “No.”
“You’re being impossible.”
“I told you, if they want it back they can come get it.”
“Hold on.” I mute my phone and frown at my brothers. “He said if you want it, you have to go get it.”
“Right, so he can kill us.” Joey shakes his head. “We’re not falling for that shit.”
“Why would he kill you? So what you have a gun that’s sold on the black market. Why would he kill you for that?”
“Because, Max, he’s not going to like other people selling in his area.”
I roll my eyes. “So tell him you aren’t selling it. Tell him you bought it for yourself?”
“And you think he’d believe us?” Joey pushes. “No, you go get it from him. He won’t hurt you; he knows you, you’re friends with his sister.”
“Seriously, Max. It’s dangerous for us, but he won’t hurt you.” Keith presses.
“Will you at least tell me where you got it so I can tell him. It would make it easier.”
“Max.” Lev demands attention.
“We’ll figure out what you’re going to tell him.” Joey waves at the phone. “Just tell him you’ll meet him. No, no, tell him we will all three of us, then you go.”
“Lev.” I shove down the urge to demand he stop being a complete asshole and find a sweet tone. “Where can we meet you?”
If I don’t say they’ll be alone, he might not get as pissy when they don’t show.
“My place. Two hours.”
I check the time. Serafina is coming in for the night hours in an hour.
“Okay, two hours. We’ll be there.”
“Good.” The line goes dead before I can ask him where exactly his place is.
A moment later my phone vibrates again, this time with a text from him.
Two hours. With a pin for the location of where to meet him.
“See, no problem.” Keith smiles.
“Yeah. Just get it and we’ll meet you right after.” Keith sighs, digging out his phone and tapping away. “I’ll let them know we can meet tonight.”
“Meet who?” I ask, but they’re already headed to the door.
“Thanks, Max. Text us when you’re done.” Keith waves as he leaves the store.
A gust of wind blows through the door as he shuts it and knocks over a book that’s standing up on a display. I pick it up, noticing the title as I prop it back up.
Knocking on Hell’s Door.
A shiver runs through me.
Nothing could be truer.