Page 41 of Kill Me Sweetly

After she left I locked up, gathered my things, and went to the employee lot.

“Fuck.” I sighed as I looked at the super flat tire on the SUV. I texted JJ to let him know I had to change it and that I would get home soon. I slipped the phone into my pocket and got to work. It vibrated a few times but I figured it was JJ and paid it no mind.…That was stupid.

As soon as the tire was changed and I got into the SUV, I checked my phone. One text from JJ saying “Okay,” then another from Nick saying there was a problem, and then one from Angel telling me to move my ass and get home.

What the fuck is going on?

CHAPTER TWENTY

JJ

When I got homeafter lunch, Four was watching television. I noted that it wasn’t cartoons but the news instead.

“Is that a good idea?” I turned to Angel, who was sitting on another chair, laptop propped on his knee.

“I asked him what he wanted to watch, and he said he didn’t care. I was flipping, and he was interested in this channel.”

I didn’t want to be that person who told another living soul who to be, so I nodded and went into the kitchen for a drink. Aziza would be there shortly, and I figured I’d make some coffee.

“Hey, how’s the shop?” Mason and Gabe were in there, having just finished lunch, it appeared.

“Good. Wes and Darby seem to be exactly what that place needed, and Lizzy is relieved with the help.”

“Yeah, they’re good people.” Mason gathered his and Gabe’s dishes.

“Darby’s a character.”

Gabe snorted. “She tried to hug me the first time she saw me.”

“Oh, Lord.” I laughed. “How’d that go?”

“Told her we don’t do that here.”

I nodded. “She just shook my hand, so she clearly heeded your warning.”

“Aziza’s here,” Angel shouted from the living room.

“Go.” Mason shooed me. “I’ll bring in coffee when it’s done.”

“Thanks.”

Four came over, and Angel shut the television off. Once everyone was situated, Aziza smiled at Four.

“How are you doing today?”

“Fine.”

“Sleep well?”

“The pills let me sleep.”

Aziza cocked her head. “You said that yesterday. Without the pills, you can’t sleep?”

“Sleeping is dangerous.”

“Is that because of where you used to be?”

He nodded. “Always be ready.”

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