Page 9 of Positively Pricked
The stranger gave a low curse and was silent for a long, terrible moment before saying, "Even if I agreed – and I’m not saying I do – we couldn’t possibly move by Monday. I mean, come on. That's only two days away."
"Right. So you'd better get packing."
"But that's not even legal."
"So sue me."
"Maybe I will," the stranger said. "Youdoknow that I’m a lawyer, right?"
"I don't care if you're the fucking president. You're inmyhouse, and I want you gone."
"Is that so?" The stranger gave a derisive snort. "Why? Aren't the other houses enough?"
"No. They're not."
"But—"
"Move. Or I'll have it done for you."
"What the hell?" the guy sputtered. "You can't do that."
"Yeah? Watch me."
"But what about Teddy? He's your cousin, for God's sake."
"So?"
"So that'shishouse, too."
I tried to think. Teddy? As in Teddy the Drunk?
Zane replied, "Not my problem."
The stranger was silent for another long, awful moment, and I held my breath, wondering what on Earth he'd say next. Cripes, whatcouldhe say?
In the background, I could still hear the muted sounds of music and laughter coming from inside the house. But out here, no one was laughing – not me, not the stranger, and definitely not Zane.
Asshole.
Finally, the stranger gave a long, sad sigh. "You know, it really pains me to say this, but if your grandfather were alive, he'd be utterly ashamed of you."
"I know," Zane said. "But he's not. So fuck off."
It was one of the strangest things I'd ever heard. He didn't even sound angry, just matter-of-fact. It was truly chilling.
The other guy made a scoffing sound. "Is that all you can say? Fuck this and fuck that?"
When Zane made no reply, the guy practically spat, "Look here, you ingrate. I don't know how they do things in the dirtyoucrawled out of, but around here, we treat people with dignity and respect."
"Yeah?" Zane said. "Well in the dirt, you've gotta earn it."
"And I haven't?" the guy said. "Youdoknow I spent three decades working for your family."
"So?" Zane said. "You didn't work forme."
"But I worked for your grandfather. I was his right-hand man."
"Yeah. And he's dead. So like I said,Bob, get the fuck out."
