Page 75 of Vices and Vows

“Do you usually carry a gun?” He looks at me with wide eyes.

“I always carry a gun. But today I was at a wedding, and nobody was allowed to enter if they were armed.”

Of course, I’d carried a switchblade, which is now in the pocket of my jacket. But there is a reason people tell you not to bring a knife to a gunfight. All made men carry guns, and going up against them without one would be a mistake.

“I have one in the glove box, miss. You don’t have to worry. I’ll protect you if needed, but this place is like a sanctuary. Violence here will often lead to punishment.”

Punishment. That’s funny. Whatever punishment givenwouldn’t undo what was done, and with these guys, it would be a bullet in the head.

“That’s good to know, George.” I don’t know what kind of training he’s had. Hell, for all I know, he could be a secret ninja, but something tells me I have a lot more training than him.

I lean my head against the window and close my eyes, wondering if it might be worth taking a nap. I’d read if I had my cell phone, but that’s not an option. I’ve only been here for about ten minutes, and I’m already going nuts with boredom. I’d get out and walk around if I didn’t think it might result in George’s death. I know Vice wouldn’t care for excuses. He’d shoot George in a heartbeat and wouldn’t lose a moment of sleep over it.

I must doze off because, when the door opens, I’m startled awake. I yank out my knife and have it pointed at the intruder before I can even register who it is.

Isaac grins at me before climbing in with Conner right behind him. “Interesting way to say hello.”

“I’m not a kiss-on-the-cheek kind of girl.”

“And what kind of girl are you, then?”

“The knife to your throat kind.”

Conner chuckles, and Isaac’s lips twitch. “I think Vice has met his match with you.”

I shrug and pull the knife away, but I keep it in my hand. Vice might trust these guys, but I don’t know them well enough to trust them yet. Besides, with George in the mix, that’s three against one. I’d rather take my chances with the knife than blind faith.

“How long is this supposed to take?”

“Till everyone is dead,” Isaac deadpans.

I look at him with a blank face.

He laughs. “Alright, tough girl, I get it. You’re not afraid ofanything.”

Now it’s my turn to laugh. “Is that what you think, Isaac? Jesus, I’m scared of everything. My life has been one near-death experience after another. I’m always afraid, but I don’t let that fear define me. I don’t let it dictate what I do or who I’ll become. I’m not weak because of my fear. My fear makes me strong because it means I’m prepared for any situation, and I don’t know when to give up.”

Isaac stares at me as if I’m some kind of insect that just did something interesting. It kind of makes me want to poke his eyes out, but I resist. Barely.

“Well, I’m going back to sleep.” I lean my head against the window once more and let my eyes drift closed.

“Is she serious?” Conner asks.

“My eyes are closed, but I can still hear you.”

He says nothing to that, so I relax, but then Isaac speaks up again. “Are you really going to sleep on us?”

I open my eyes. “I’d rethink your wording if you have this conversation later. Vice would scoop out your kidney with a spoon.”

“Oddly specific.”

“Painful as fuck, but it won’t kill you if done correctly.”

“I’m so glad we get to keep her,” Conner murmurs to Isaac.

I bite back my smile. I’m not going to be lured in by a pretty face, though. He might be all jokes and smiles now, but I can’t forget that they’re Vice’s friends, not mine.

When the door is yanked open, I have my knife up, and Isaac and Conner have their guns aimed at the intruder.

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