Page 36 of Marigold Run

“Dassy.” Hutch’s tone is a warning, clearly not amused. The fuzzy feeling in my balls instantly vanishes as he drones on. “Fucking focus. We’ve got too much shit to do today.” His jaw clenches and his hold on the steering wheel tightens, turning his knuckles white. “I want to get in, get out, and get back home.”

“Fine.” I snap right back. “I don’t know who pissed in your cornflakes, but it wasn’t me.”

Hutch groans, gritting his teeth as we turn down a very familiar road. I know these streets. There are only a few packs in this part of town that Izan might do business with, but I have no interest in talking to any of them. I stare as we drive, taking in the rundown corner store that only sells snack cakes and cigarettes, the bowling alley that shut down years ago and has been broken in more times than I can count, and the old barber shop with the cracked front window. People used to say someone tried to shoot the place up, but it honestly looks like a brick bounced off the plexiglass, leaving behind a spider web of cracks. It all still looks the same.

But there’s a reason I haven’t been back.

Too many hard memories.

You’d think I’d be over it after so many years, but I don’t have my brother’s ability to turn off my emotions. He’s definitely stronger in that way.

Hutch makes a quick right and dread punches my gut. There’s only one place we’d be going on this street, but hopefully, I’m wrong.

“Where are we going?” I regret not asking before we got into the car.

“The Chop Shop,” Hutch says, and my fists curl tight.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I yell, my nostrils flaring.

“We’re just picking up a collection,” Hutch says, giving me a stern look. “We’ll get in, get out, and head home.”

Rage pumps through my veins, and I turn away from my brother.I hate that I’m here. “You should have told me.”

“You wouldn’t have come,” he says simply. “I needed backup.”

“You could have brought Carlos or Della,” I say as we pull up to the fenced-off junkyard.

“Izan sent them on a run.”

He turns the wheel, pulling onto the gravel driveway. The old garage still looks the same, but maybe with a few more chips in the faded red siding. The neon “open” sign in the window is black—I honestly don’t think the thing has ever been on. This banged-up place matches the rest of the neighborhood—falling apart—but I know what’s actually going on behind those doors.

The river of money that runs through this place is almost shocking.

“Do you want to wait in the car?” Hutch gives me a shitty look as he parks in front of the open garage. I want to say yes, but I also don’t want to look like a little bitch.

“I’m fine,” I say, trying to prepare myself. “Let’s make it quick.”

“Izan said all the logistics are already worked out. We’re here to pick up a collection.” Hutch gives me a reassuring nod, then he hops out. He usually gives me a rundown of what we’re collecting, but I guess he decided it doesn’t matter this time.After all, I don’t plan on saying a fucking word…that is until a familiar voice hits my ears.

“Holy shit.” Kida Mack strolls toward me with the biggest smile on her face. The she-alpha looks good. Her once-long hair is short and spiky, and she’s got some new ink on both of her arms. Flowers twisting around two daggers cut up both forearms, disappearing under her short sleeves. “What the fuck are you doing here?” She smacks my bicep, then crosses her arms. She’s always been fit, but it looks like she’s put on a few pounds of muscle. She’s looking good.

“I can’t believe you’re still here.” I point at the garage.

A few alphas inside the building have stopped what they’re doing, staring intensely at me and Hutch. I don’t recognize any of them. I’m sure all my old friends have moved on. Places like this aren’t built for commitment. They’re for earning some money, getting laid, then moving on when you’ve had your fill of the violence and mindless sex.

I guess Kida never got tired of it all.

But I’m glad I got out. You can’t live like this and expect to grow old.

“What have you been up to?” I ask, happy to see my old friend.

“Not much.” Kida grins at me like I’m the greatest thing she’s seen in years. And maybe I am. After all, what we had wasn’t bad. It wasn’t mind-blowing either, but plenty of good moments. “We’ve got some asshole out back that tried to snatch up some of the inventory,” Kida smirks as she leans in. “Want to help me handle him? Or are you too good to get your hands dirty anymore?”

“I still love a good fight,” I say, cracking my knuckles.A bloody brawl sounds like heaven right now.“But not this time.”

“We’re here on business,” Hutch says, done with the pleasantries. “Where’s Andros?”

Kida’s expression shifts and she straightens her back. “You two gonna bust him up?” She cuts a suspicious glare from Hutch to me.

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