Page 44 of Breaking Storm

He places his crutch to the side of the couch, sits, and puts his leg on the small ottoman. Sean takes the opposite side of the couch.

I bring over bottled water, return to the kitchen, and carry plates of sandwiches and sliced carrots. Sean takes the plate and thanks me.

Joey eyes the plate and then me. “Carrots?”

Moving over to the chair, I counter, “They’re good for you.” He puts the plate down to get up, and I shoot out of the chair. “Fine. What do you want?”

He gives me the biggest smile. “Chips, please.”

As I’m going to the kitchen, Sean asks, “Um, me, too?”

I pour a bag of chips in a bowl, and return. Once I place it on the table, Joey yanks me by my shorts and I fall onto the couch beside him. My mouth hangs open in surprise as he reaches over, grabs my plate, and hands it to me. Frowning, I take a bite of the sandwich, and Sean begins.

“I’ve kept in touch with Frankie from the start. Things are heating up and they’re uncomfortable in James’ camp. He’s made several enemies over the years, and when word got out about what he did to you, a lot of his men have been secretly talking. They want out. Their loyalty to James has changed.”

Joey chugs the water and shrugs. “Let them.”

Sean scoots forward, puts his plate down, and argues, “Don’t you see, this is your chance? Our chance.”

“For what?”

“To get out of here.”

Joey shakes his head, eyeing me, and his attention lands on Sean. “You know I can’t.” Something clicks and Sean nods.

Now it’s my turn to get some answers. “Why? Is it because you don’t have any money?”

He throws his head back and laughs, resting his head on the back of the couch. “Nope.” He pops thep.

Joey stands, and when I’m about to do the same, he shakes his head, grabbing the crutch. He puts distance between Sean and I by moving to the other side of the table.

He faces us and says, “I have lots of money.” Sean and I glance at each other like he’s lost it, but Joey ignores us. “I told Sean that if I died, he should take the money I hid and run with you.”

Sean sits back. “But you didn’t die, and I didn’t touch the money.”

A Cheshire cat smile stretches across his face. “That’s true.” He walks back and forth with the help of the crutch as if about to tell us a story. “Math is something I’m great at.” Sean agrees. “Because I excelled at it, James handed over the family’s accounting ledgers to me at the ripe old age of twelve. Ever since, I’ve been keeping the books and investing.” He stops and turns to us. “I opened up secret accounts.”

I’m confused. “How? You need to be an adult to open bank accounts?”

Joey tilts his head to the side. “Nowadays, there are so many ways to skirt and cheat online systems.” He pauses for a second. “Anyway, I opened these accounts for me. For ten years, I’ve skimmed money from James’ strip clubs, my fights, drug money, protection, you name it. A thousand here. Five thousand there. The money added up, and I invested half of it.”

Sean runs his hands through his hair. “Are you crazy? If James finds out, you’re a dead man.”

“But he hasn’t. For all the hell James has put me through, I’ve made a pretty penny off him. I made sure he couldn’t trace the trail of money. The accounts are made-up private companies.” He ticks his head toward the stairs. “The money upstairs is for a rainy day.”

I slide my legs under my butt and lean against the armrest. “So, you accumulated money.”

Joey’s smile lights up. “You can say that.” He rubs his beard and directs his comment at me. “For a thug, I’ve collected, saved, and invested monies. Stock market. Bought and sold land.” He smacks his chest. “Money owed to me.” Dropping the crutch, he crosses his arms, eyes darting between Sean and I, and says, “Right now, I’m worth ten million.”

My eyes widen. Sean shuffles forward, knocking his water bottle off the table. Joey’s demeanor lifts and he laughs. A true deep laugh, full of satisfaction. It’s beautiful to see him beaming with pride. Not in a million years would I have thought Joey to be this savvy. Admiration doesn’t begin to describe how I feel toward him. He keeps surprising me at every turn. And knowing there are layers to him than the one-dimension is hot as hell.

Joey sits down, smiles at Sean, and says, “You’ve been by my side forever. The only person I’ve ever trusted.” Sean swallows hard, bows his head to blink away the tears, then gives a sign of understanding. “When things settle, and we find our way out of this shithole, you’ll have money to do whatever you want.”

Even though I’m happy for him, there’s something missing. I sense Joey and Sean have a secret, and they refuse to share it with me. It’s frustrating. I thought things have changed between us for the better. That we were progressing. But their secrecy is causing a wedge between my heart and head. My heart has softened for Joey. It’s my head that detects a betrayal is coming soon.

Chapter 18

I’VE HAD MY REMOVABLE SPLINT on during August, the hottest month in Chicago, and I finally got rid of it several days ago. The rest of my injuries have healed, yet I still tire easily. A month of inactivity will do that to you.

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