Page 53 of Blue-Eyed Jacks
Trouble was, Wolf had a permanent disability.He’d lost his foot and most of his lower leg a few years back.It hampered him in a fight.And for what was coming, he’d lose.With me dead, they’d question his ability to lead.I shouldhave replaced him a year ago or more.But, it was too late for that now.He was going to have a target on him, and it was all my fault.
Chapter 16
Trenton, New Jersey—Kate
New Jersey wasn’t the same as I remembered.The shelter I’d stayed at sixteen years ago was now an apartment or condo building, and the resale shop I’d worked at was completely restaffed.I didn’t recognize anyone.
The restaurant was a long shot.The neighborhood it was in was almost worse than I remembered.Zoe shot me incredulous eye daggers every step of the way.Luckily, she stayed close and quiet.We walked in, gathering more attention than I cared for.I went to the counter, barely scanning the menu, and asked for George.
Of course, the staff didn’t know anyone by that name.Discouraged, I nudged Zoe to pick something for dinner.We hadn’t been eating right since we left Maine, and money was getting tight.But I had to spend something here or risk standing out further.
“I’m not hungry.”
Her attitude was grinding my patience to a stub.“Get it for the road then.”I redirected my attention to the cashier.“What do you suggest will keep for a couple hours?”My nerves were shot, and I needed safety.But I also needed answers.How had my father found me?Did Shock go after Jackson already?Was anyone I knew safe?
“You lost?”the cashier asked, too loudly.
“Yes,” I admitted, despite Zoe’s violent shake of her head and the death glare sent my way.
As the cashier gave me directions to the interstate, I pretended to pay attention.I knew four ways out of this town.Each way was worse than the last.North?I’d run the risk of running straight into Shock’s minions.East?I’d run out of country and be trapped against the coastline.South?We’d were pointed that way.Continuing on that path was predictable.
And the remaining compass point was where I wanted to go, but also needed to avoid at all costs.Both Jackson and Shock were in that direction.
One of the patrons stood up and Zoe moved so close I thought she was trying to meld into me.
“Excuse me, ma’am.Did you ask for a man named George?”
I glanced his way and caught the aged marks on his hands.“Yes, George Williams, he’d be about fifty-seven now?I think.”
The man nodded and grinned.His capped teeth flashed.“Old George always had a weakness for pretty ladies.”His eyes dipped southward, and I told myself that this was expected.I shouldn’t take offense or make a big deal of it until absolutely necessary.But my fears screamed at my impulse to run.
“I used to work with him at the resale shop.”
The stranger’s eyes flashed back to mine.“I remember you.”
Oh shit.Did I know this man?I tried to match his face to the two years I lived here, but came up blank.I very cautiously said, “I’m sorry, but I don’t remember you.”
He smiled again and held out a hand.“Name’s Romeo.”
I bet it was.“Nice to meet you.”I shook his hand and slipped out of the grasp before it could linger too long.“Is George still around?”My heart picked up, predicting an answer I didn’t want to hear.
Romeo shook his head.“Died.Shot in his home about a month ago.”
Zoe sucked in her breath.“Mom?”
Since I’d already braced for the worst, I had no external reaction.But inside, it felt like someone sucker-punched me and pulled the rug out from under me.I truly had no where to go now.
Except there.
I squashed down the insidious whisper.That wasn’t an option.“Who shot him?”
Romeo motioned for me to come closer.I did, but the shuffled step and lean forward proved to me I wasn’t a brave person.
He whispered, “Your biker friends did it.”
“I’m not friends with bikers.”
His eyes dipped to Zoe.“Where’d she come from then?George said a biker picked you up from that place he dumped you at.”
