Page 125 of Ready to Cash Out

“It’s all right,” Cold said. “You can tell him.”

Trev whirled around, surprised to see Cold standing in the doorway. “Thought you had some bananas cream-wah or whatever to fucking eat?”

“It can wait.” Cold looked to Queen and nodded.

Queen shrugged. “Brain cancer with an accompanying dementia disorder. His doctors were able to find a regimen to successfully cross the blood-brain barrier to stabilize him and keep the tumor from growing, but it remains inoperable. Hence his mood swings, the confusion, and violence when he’s not medicated.”

Trev frowned. “I’ve never seen him violent. Not ever.” He paused. “Sure, he barks at people, but that’s about it.”

“I don’t know what prompted him to leave Perry City, but he is not fit to travel. It’s not safe for him or anyone else.” Queen put her phone in a large leather satchel and then gathered up the pill bottles to stash them away too.

“What are you doing? Doesn’t he need those?”

“A nurse will be coming by to make sure he takes the proper dosages.” Queen slung the satchel over her shoulder. “He’s not in any condition to manage his own prescriptions and I suspect has not been for some time.”

“Abigail?” Cold asked.

“Yes. And my new girl, Lily.” Queen headed to the door, brushing by Cold. “You can expect a charge for my usual house call fee and a bonus.”

“Oh?”

“Old fucker bit me.” Queen sneered and then left.

Trev sat back down on the bed, reaching for Juicy’s hand. He chuckled a little, saying lightly, “So, you got some bite to go with that bark? Nice.”

Juicy didn’t stir, but Trev swore he smiled.

Trev cleared his throat. “You set all of this up for him?”

“I did,” Cold replied.

“I guess you want me to thank you or something.”

“For you to show gratitude for my kindness? No, never.” Cold snorted. “You think it’s a trick. Part of my plan somehow.”

“I know it is.” Trev scoffed.

Cold only smiled. “Take it however you want.”

“I’d love to take it right the fuck out of here.” Trev grunted. “Me, Jupiter, and Juicy. Far, far away in another country.” He held up his hand when Cold started to speak. “No, no. I already know. You need us for your stupid magical plan because somehow us being here is gonna help you not get murdered on Friday.”

Cold tilted his head. “If that’s what you need to believe, then so be it.”

Trev narrowed his eyes.

So, that wasn’t it.

Interesting.

Trev didn’t know if that was an intentional slip or if Cold was deliberately teasing him, but he didn’t take the bait. He turned his attention back to Juicy, saying, “I’m going to sit with him for a while.”

“You’re aware he’s sedated?”

“Are you aware you’re an asshole?”

Cold did not look amused, eyeing Trev carefully before he said, “You’re really not afraid of me, are you?”

“No more than any other asshole I’ve met who could probably kill me without blinking twice.” Trev snorted out a laugh. “My life hasn’t exactly been cotton candy and rainbows. My mom told me once that beauty faded but stupid was forever, so I decided to be beautiful for as long as I could and only let people think I was stupid. I learned how to play their fucking games, figure out what they wanted from me, if they were going to be a threat or not, how to hustle, how to survive.

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