CHAPTER 14 #2
I stretched my legs and leaned back against the wall.
The cop crossed his arms, flashing a pretty badge that probly don’t even get him laid.
“You’re here because no cop in the history of Castine has ever seen this kind of savagery…
especially not in defense of a home invasion.
Nobody blames you, but forgive me if I find it a little hard to believe that this whole thing isn’t bigger than it seems. Your friend was very helpful with most of it, and he’s more than credible with his service to our country, but I’m gonna make this as clear as I can manage without sounding insensitive.
Don’t even think about leaving town. We’ll be by tomorrow to have extensive conversations with the wives.
Thorough investigation is already underway, and your home is officially declared a crime scene, Mr. Grey. I apologize for the inconvenience.”
You know what else is inconvenient? There’s a little man living in the same small town that kills and eats people—and this detective has no fucking idea. How’s that for savagery? I’m about fed up. I have work to do.
“Right. So, can we go? While you’ve wasted time trying to build a case for pieces of shite you claim are victims…
the real ones are sitting in a hospital…
waiting on news and any small chance you’ll get your fucking priorities straight and focus on the right thing.
” The malice dripping off every word tasted like honey coming out of my mouth.
Only got sweeter with the look on this prick’s face.
Yeah, you’re a real asset to society, dickcheese.
“We’ll be in touch.”
We all rattled the bench, standing together and making threatening eyes at the detective while we stalked towards the door. Dan waited on the curb with his hands in the pockets of my hoodie. I went straight for him while Malek hung back, talking with Greg and Vern.
“You clean up nice, Dan the man.” I shook his hand and he smirked, turning his face from side to side to show me his fresh barbering. “Feel good to pop off at the enemy again, dude?”
“Very.” He shuffled his hair and rubbed the back of his neck.
“Detective Dickhead doesn’t trust you, but I bullshit my way around the heavy stuff.
Doesn’t mean he’ll forget what he saw, but his eyes are on the right people.
Once they start bringing home missing little girls, I think this will blow over, at least on how the town looks at it. ”
“You in trouble for helping us out?” I asked, genuinely concerned. It was never my intention to make this guy’s life more complicated.
“Yeah, about that…I’m afraid I haven’t been completely honest with you, man.”
Oh, here we fucking go.
Dan leaned back against a nice SUV, and it dawned on me…I’ve been played.
“You raised some flags in the work you do, Declan. You’re good, but…we’re better. The eagles are watching. I was undercover and imagine my surprise when one of the guys I’m hired to look into decides to show me he’s a stand-up guy…and point me in the direction of the real problem.”
“So, you’re sayin’ I shoulda butchered your arse.” I couldn’t keep the bested smile off my face. Dan-1…Declan - 0.
“Maybe. But I like you. They’ve decided to look the other way. What I do on my own time is my fucking business. I wanna stay and help if you’ll let me.”
“Your name isn’t really Dan…is it?” I grinned. He grinned right back.
“It is this week,” he winked. Everybody approached and Dan introduced himself…as Dan…offering us a ride to the hospital to meet Maggie and Sev. Vernon didn’t hesitate. “Let’s go fellas. Chinese is on me.”
I laughed under my breath while Dan rounded the truck and hopped in the driver’s side.
Only my fucking life. I swear it.
Malek didn’t touch a single morsel of food.
I couldn’t be helped while I, probably disrespectfully, stuffed my face with egg rolls and stared at their locked hands while Seven decided to eat black nail polish instead.
Her leg bounced in impatience, and she didn’t take her eyes off the locked door to the hallway where we expected to see the doctor any second.
Maggie rocked Vivian back and forth, but at this point, probably just to give her body something to do.
Viv’s made an impressive drool spot over the shoulder of her blouse.
Every person in this room has somebody else’s blood caked to their hands.
“You alright, Sev?” I asked gently. All eyes went right to her, but she was laser-focused on that glass door.
“I’d feel better if you were in there, Mags.”
Maggie shrugged. “Hospital protocol. I’m too close to it. I told you though…from what I can tell, she should pull through just fine.”
“She didn’t deserve this.” That thumbnail doesn’t stand a chance. She’ll have a nub by the time the sun comes up, and I can’t blame her. “The slaughter in that house wasn’t enough. I wanna watch ‘em burn.”
“Beans…this isn’t like you.” Vernon leaned forward to get closer to her and Greg caught my eyes, worry and dread swimming all in them. “You’re not like those men. You’re not violent.”
“You’re not either, Dad. You still blew a hole through somebody.” She finally looked away from the door and Malek stiffened next to her.
“What happened to you? Tell me the truth. What did you mean when you said it wasn’t your first rodeo?”
There was a heavy silence that stretched out between us all and Maggie elbowed Greg, raising up from her chair. “Em…come on. Let’s go get some pudding.” Emmy glanced over at Seven, hesitating, and then stepped over to wrap her arms around her auntie. That shit even melted me.
“You did so good today, Em. You’re so brave.
I love you, turd.” They pressed foreheads and Seven kissed her nose.
“Go get some junk food. I’m good. Promise.
” There was absolutely no hesitation as soon as Greg led them out of earshot.
“Long story short, Dad…I made a side business outta cleaning dead bodies for bad men. Bad men got me and Bridge last year. Malek and Declan saved our lives. No, I don’t do it anymore, and no… I don’t wanna talk anymore about it.”
Vernon’s jaw set, and I saw the question settle in his mind as soon as he turned his attention towards Mal. “Were you the villain before you were the hero?”
“Dad—”
“I’m talking to Malek.”
I really don’t know what I’d say if this question were directed at me.
Callum Byrne would have slit throats and asked questions later.
I almost think it would be easier than answering to a father like Vernon Grey.
Somebody this devoted to their kids. I feel for Mal.
I really do. I lowered my head and stared at my feet.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been a hero, sir. I’m just a guy with unbelievable luck that found my savior with a mop and bucket…and a perfect right hook.”
Smooth, dude.
The corner of my mouth subtly raised, and I hid it as best as I could manage. I heard one of the chairs groan with movement and looked up to see the doctor finally coming through the door. Impeccable timing. That fucker is lucky.
“Grey family?” Sev and Vernon nodded earnestly and he sat us all down.
He’s an older dude. Nice-looking. Makes me wanna buy skin care products.
Fuck him. “Mrs. Grey is in recovery. Heart rate is steady, blood pressure on its way to normal. She did extremely well. Dr. Grey did amazing work, otherwise I think we’d be having a much different conversation.
We were able to remove the bullet, and I have to say…
someone up there was looking out for her.
Just a quarter-inch farther in either direction and I’m sure we would have lost her.
As it stands now, nothing vital has been compromised and we expect her to make a full recovery. ”
Thank Christ.
“Can we see her?” Sev asked, her lower lip wobbling.
“We can allow one person at a time while she’s in recovery. We’ll bump that up to two visitors once she’s admitted into intensive care. I’m happy to take one of you back now, if you like.”
“Go, Dad…it needs to be you.”
Vernon stood, about to follow the doctor back, then stopped and turned to look at her again. “This conversation isn’t finished. The rest of you still owe me answers.”
“We’ll be right here, Vern…” Malek’s expression was firm, but honest. He’s changing a little more every day. We were left alone again, and Seven looked over at Dan, who looked like he was trying to make himself invisible.
“I want answers too,” she started, crossing her arms. “Who the fuck are you?”
“My name is Dan. The short version is that I’m a friend of Declan’s and he called me up to help. I sniped a few of the guys surrounding the house. That’s why they stopped fucking around and chose the harsher execution in your home. Funny thing, panic.”
“Bridget said this money came from her. That this is her fault and she wanted me to hate her. I’m upset, but I know there’s more to this, Declan. What do you know that we don’t? She’s been dancing around shit for weeks. She’s been at our house more than she’s been home. Start talking.”
I sighed, choosing not to look directly at her. Malek knows some of it…but not all of it. I told them everything. Every detail I know.
“So…now I have to figure out where they took her and what she offered these pricks. I’m pretty sure I have a good idea, but this’ll be tricky.”
I couldn’t help but notice that Seven was staring a burning hole through Malek’s face. It took him a second to catch up, but when he did…
“You killed a guy?”
“I just killed several a few hours ago, Viper.”
“No…before this. You killed one of these Russian dudes and pissed off his dad? That’s why they came after us?”
Uh-oh…
“Technically…all I did was relieve him of a couple of fingers. You know how much I enjoy that. Declan killed him. Not me. I kept my promises, Sev. I only killed for protection. I’m gonna go ahead and use the same excuse for brutal torture where it concerns your safety or Bridget’s.
And to be fair…he’d already tried to shoot her in broad daylight.
As soon as I knew you were safe, I’d already decided he was gonna die. One way or another.”
“They didn’t come here for Vikter’s justice, Seven.
” She pointed that stare at me next and I bristled.
“Bridget was trying to rid herself of Jonas and everything he left behind. She thought she was doing something selfless by donating that money. I don’t think anybody would have guessed that it would go the way it did. ”
“What did she mean…fifteen grand? That’s not enough to buy that property Mom and Dad were talking about. That message was for you, specifically.”
I felt the smile creep across my mouth.
“Last night, I’d mentioned that it took fifteen grand’s worth of explosives to light Jonas’s place up and that it still didn’t seem like enough for everything he’s putting us all through…even from the fucking grave.”
We all looked between each other and Dan rubbed his hands together. Seven even started to smirk a little. She nodded and leaned back in her chair.
“She wants us to burn it down.”