Page 21 of Roses and Skulls

Jesse presses her lips over my heart before pulling away. “Do you think he gave her the crow?”

Just hearing the word crow makes my blood pressure rise to a deadly level. Even though the asshole is dead, he still haunts my wife’s dreams at night. If I could buy a round trip ticket to hell to watch him burn all over again, I would.

“It’s possible he might be trying to distract us and rattle our cage. He knows it’s an untapped market here and he’s eager to fill his pockets with drug money. But he’s just a punk. No worries, baby.”

She pats my chest. “I’m going to try to talk to her.”

I watch Jesse walk up the stairs. My wife just gets more beautiful by the day.

When she disappears, I head out back to have a cigarette.

Fuck yes, I still smoke. I’m good at it, what can I say?

Well, well, my new prospect has arrived.

He smiles at me as he approaches, a fucking sucker hanging out of his mouth.

“Hey, Prez,” he greets, smirking because he knows I’m not pleased to see him.

I shake his hand. I might not be excited to see him, but I do have a need for him. And better yet, it will keep him busy and away from the warehouse.

“You’re early,” I say dryly.

He pulls the sucker from his mouth, pointing it at me. “I just couldn’t wait another day. I mean, look at this place.” He holds his hands out and spins around. “Beautiful.”

I snort. This kid annoys the fuck out of me.

“No time for sightseeing, I’m afraid. I’ve got a job for you.”

He rubs his tattooed hands together, some of my wife’s handiwork. “I’m ready, boss.”

I flick my cigarette at him, making him jump back. “You better be.” I turn and walk back into the warehouse.

Fucking prospect.

Chapter Five

Billie Rose

Lanie’s blocked me on everything. She’s not even giving me a chance to explain.

What am I going to do? I need my best friend.

I could sneak out and go back over there.

Or, maybe this is for the best. Because I’m going to kill herboyfriend. I don’t know how or even when but it’s just a matter of time. I need him to die.

My mom knocks quietly at the same time as she opens the door. Yeah, there is no such thing as privacy in this family.

“Hey, hun, dad told me about Lanie. Do you want to talk about it?” She climbs into bed behind me, wrapping her arm around me.

I pull my phone out from under my pillow.There’s nothing to talk about.

“Why don’t you invite her to the party Saturday?”

Jesus, sometimes I swear my parents share a brain.

She blocked me.

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