Page 19 of Fixate
Pharrell grabbed most of the bags while I took the large cardboard tray holding some of the bigger containers. There was enough food here to easily feed all of us.
The men who’d come with us had all been told to take off back to their regular stations once cleanup was done. Romano’s men, who were now in Dante’s employ, all went home. Everyone else — whether Pharrell’s or Yamamoto’s — dispersed as well.
This meant we only needed to feed the four of us. And yet, we could probably feed twice as much. I laughed at the comical amount of food.
A look was thrown my way, but Pharrell didn’t say anything else. Maybe he thought I was finally losing it. That or he figured I’d tell him if I wanted him to know.
Both were true.
We drove back to the compound and unloaded the food in just enough time to catch Dante and Preacher coming down the stairs. We’d only just sat when they came into the room to take in the food.
I decided to strike while the iron was hot. They needed to know some information before the day went on.
“So, I might have been keeping a secret from you all. Nothing like Stasia — ”
“Fucking bitch,” Pharrell mumbled beside me, though he remained calm at my suggestion of not being fully open with them.
“But still equally as large.” I finished the thought despite the rising tension in the room. The two men across the table looked back at me like they were ready to take me out.
To prove my point, Preacher lifted his gun and turned it my way. “Speak!”
“There were others who didn’t want to be under your father’s thumb. Men who either left or kept to themselves during his reign. They weren’t here last night at my warning not to be nearby. It will give you a good starting point for soldiers to go with the ones you’ve amassed across the country over the years.”
Dante eased his hand up to turn Preacher’s gun away from me. As the man who’d been around me for years, he knew where my focus was. I hated his father almost as much as he did. I’d never beat him out for that spot given the time he spent away from the love of his life. It was a close second though.
“These men will remain loyal then?” he asked.
I didn’t hesitate in my reply. “Yes, they will. And until you can figure out how you’d like to move the organization forward, they’ll keep things steady for now. All shipments and projects can continue as planned if you’d like.”
“No bodies. Drugs and guns are fine, but no bodies.” Dante tilted his head in my direction. “Thank you for taking the time toensure there would be some men here locally. I’ve yet to call the others to see if they’re willing to relocate.”
I barked an obnoxious sort of laugh. It was impossible not to. “Those men would come anytime you called. To them, you’re The Monster, the protector of their streets. They are all indebted to you.”
We went over a few more details, which later shifted to the couple sharing heated looks. It took Preacher shaking his head at Dante for the sexual charge to dissipate.
It was decided we’d divide and conquer after we finished eating to tackle the rest of the clean-up. I thought the idea was grand, even if I didn’t really like the idea of being away from Dante or Pharrell. Granted, the feelings were based on two different reasons.
Being away from Dante meant I wouldn’t get to keep an eye on my friend. Since reuniting with Preacher, I hadn’t gotten a good read on how he felt about everything happening.
Pharrell’s distance felt like… more.
I didn’t want him to be alone with his thoughts. I was far more worried about him than I had any right to be.
Even though we had very different things to work on, I found myself checking on him often throughout the day. No matter how much I tried to give him space, I’d still peek in on him to make sure he hadn’t gone catatonic.
It was during one of those checks that I caught wind of something I shouldn’t have.
There was some murmuring and the distinct sound of kissing before Dante’s voice shouted, “What’s taking so long!?”
“Trying to find some lube, baby. I don’t want to hurt you.”
I rolled my eyes at the pair as I approached. I’d only just found a bottle in the living room, probably from one of their other escapades. It was none of my business where it came from, really.
Needing to lighten my mood, I leaned in the door and tossed the bottle in Preacher’s direction. “Think fast, Boss. And maybe close the door next time.”
I shut it behind me as I left, only catching a muffled burst of laughter as I strode away. There was no reason to worry about those two anymore. They were clearly happy.
That only left Pharrell.
