Page 116 of Hidden Echoes

"Why do you want me to make bombs, Charlie?"

I'm direct. There's no need to embellish.

Charlie crosses her arms and tilts her head to the side, that look that says she already knows my answer but will pretend she's willing to negotiate.

"Because you're good at it. Didn't you major in chemistry?"

"I'm a tattoo artist," I retort, as if it were as simple as that.

She looks at me sideways. I know she won't accept that answer.

I never wanted to be a chemist. I just needed a major that would get me out of Texas, and my high school grades were good enough to get me a scholarship to chemistry. Plus, it was just a phase.

I was a teenager obsessed with Fullmetal Alchemist, thinking I could become something similar, a real-life alchemist. I still love the anime, but it's not like liking it means I like blowing things up.

But I've made a few. A few bombs for Charlie, because she needed specific chemicals, and I was one of the few who knew how to mix them properly without blowing myself up in the process. But I told her my days of that shit were over. My job would just be to mark limbs with paint, not gunpowder.

But Charlie is stubborn.

"You wouldn't have to do this alone. Besides, it was Laura Barone who asked to work with you."

"No, thanks." My answer is immediate. I don't like mobsters. Much less working with the needy wife of one of them. I'm very happily married.

Charlie snorts.

"You'd like Laura. She's the head of the Chemistry department at Goodwin University."

"Good for her." I don't care.

"Come on, Zane. Trevor wants to make Cosa Nostra happy, and I've always had your back. What's it gonna take for you to do that for me?"

"I'm not working with thirsty trophy wives," I grumble, crossing my arms as if that alone could shield me from the sheer absurdity of the situation.

"Trust me, Laura Barone is not a thirsty trophy wife."

The voice comes from Hunter Spencer.

He enters the conversation as if he already knows everything before he is even called.

Hunter is the leader of the Snake clan,my clan,but he's never really cared about acting like one.

He prefers to let Charlie call the shots while he focuses on maintaining alliances. We're not exactly close, but we respect each other.

"Did you come here to give a leader's order?" I challenge.

He smiles. One of those charismatic smiles that makes people forget he's dangerous.

"No. I don't like that shit. I leave that kind of stuff to AJ. I'm just curious. Let's just say Laura Barone is a dear friend and I'm surprised by her interest in you. Maybe it doesn't have much to do with you."

Charlie stiffens.

"Hunter, stop."

But he ignores her.

"Forgive me, I always get bored when Livia travels."

"That's why even your wife can't stand you," Charlie teases.

---