Page 66 of I Stop Somewhere Waiting For You

After Tommy, Nicky retired from motocross. That traitorous fuck created quite the predicament for us on both sides of the fence. Unfortunately, there was no more half-in half-out for either of us after that. What originated as two gangster kids has grown into two bona fide criminal enterprises. Shit, the money we pull now makes Nicky’s parents look like paupers. All paid for in blood.

“I’ll do it for ten.” I glance out toward the tree line. “Not because you wore me down, but because that dumb fuck in there had no business speaking out of turn like that. Consider it a one-time reparation discount.”

“Appreciate it.” He acknowledges me with a nod. “I’ll have Rico reach out to T to finalize the details. So…” He hesitates, his tone cautious. “I see my sister’s still local legend in Hydetown, huh?”

“Easy,” I warn. “We ain’t on that level.”

He pins me with a knowing glare. “When it comes to J, we are always on that level.”

I relinquish a defeated sigh. “Fucker was new to the detail. I don’t discuss her at all, but yeah, sure, there’s whispers.”

“She comes home tomorrow.” His words flood the space between us, and I may as well be drowning in them, though the tone of my response stays even.

“I’m aware, Nick.”

I pay good money to know when that girl comes within fifty miles of our towns. Mainly so I can stay as far away as humanly possible. It hasn’t been unmanageable. Over the last four years, she’s only come home a handful of times and never stayed longer than a few days. I pretty much lock myself away at the Cathedral when it happens, only resurfacing when it’s confirmed she’s long gone.

Unfortunately, that approach isn’t going to work this time. Because, as of last week, Jonsie graduated USC, and she’s decided to move back home, specifically to Queen City.

“Mav,” Nicky’s voice pierces through my thoughts. “I need to know our understanding remains the same. She’s doing good. She has a job lined up, an apartment. Even some fancy pre-med boyfriend who’s moving back with her.”

Yeah, I knew that too. Still doesn’t stop my body from involuntarily tensing hearing Nicky say it.

“I don’t need you fucking with her head now that she’s home. You got me?”

“In case you don’t remember, Nick, I’ve got Amber. I’ve long since moved on.” The words taste sour leaving my mouth.

“Yeah, seems like it.” Nicky gestures over my shoulder to where two of my guys are carting the now-wrapped body out around the building.

“You got nothing to worry about, Nick. Me and her? That was a long time ago.”

He eyes me a bit longer than what I’m comfortable with but seems to accept my answer and moves on.

“As long as we understand one another.” Flicking the butt of his cigarette off to the side, he takes his leave toward his envoy. “Mav.” He turns back briefly. “Thank you for this. These Feds are crawling up my ass. It’s damn near impossible to smuggle anything through my territories at this point.”

I acknowledge him with a swift nod before waving him off.

That’s the other thing that’s changed along the way. With more territory comes more business. More business means stronger presence. And a stronger presence earns you a spot on the DEA and ATF’s radar.

Nicky’s direct connection to the Russians landed him there first, but I’m not far behind. Having legitimate independent business have helped slow my journey, especially since I’m able to launder money through them—so I guess legitimate to an extent. Nicky’s legitimate ties are all related to his former motocross career, and that industry is far too public to pull shady shit with. As a result, he essentially ended up fucked at the mercy of the Russians who sank their claws in deep. He now has strong documented ties to their known criminal organization, and people paid attention.

T and Finn approach as Nicky retreats, and I can tell from here Finn’s pissed.

“Save it,” I snap as he comes within ear shot.

“No, that’s great, Mav,” Finn spits his sarcastic bullshit at me, disregarding my warning. “Great for morale.”

“Fuck morale,” T chimes in. “This is a dictatorship, not a daycare center.”

Finn lets out an exasperated sigh, scrubbing his hand over his face. “Mav, you are going to have to snap a leash on your crazy when it comes to her. Especially with her coming back home.”

“The only thing I need,” I seethe, “is for everyone to shut the fuck up about her.” I shove past him in the direction of the car. Pulling the flask from my inner breast pocket, I take a swig, swishing the contents in my mouth before swallowing the comforting burn of the whiskey.

Everyone worrying that I’m going to get fucked up over Joanna Hunter again has their concern sorely misplaced. That would imply that I got over her at some point and am at risk of relapsing. Truth is, I may have chased her out of my life four years ago, but I stuffed my heart in her back pocket on her way out the door. She’s the only one it ever beat for, so there was no sense in me keeping it.

Trouble is… she doesn’t even know she took it with her.

CHAPTER 32

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