Page 96 of Brandishing Balance
I nodded. “Yeah, you can see why I’m gunning for Hillcrest.”
“And we’ll help you get him,” Ronan said. “Talk to your brothers, talk to your tech guy. Let me know what you need and we’ll help with what we can.”
I nodded. “I appreciate that, man.”
“What are you looking for in terms of weight for coke?” Nico asked, bringing the conversation around to back on topic.
Ronan and Kierney shot out some numbers, Nico nodded and countered an offer.
“And you’re authorized to negotiate for the buyer?” Kierney asked, looking disgruntled.
“It’s my family. You’ll be going into business with the Seratellis,” Nico said, eyes bouncing between both brothers.
“Shit,” Kierney swore.
Ronan laughed again. “I had a feeling it was the Seratellis. That’s fine. You a Seratelli?”
“On my mother’s side. My cousin is Leonardo.”
“Alright.” Ronan nodded. “That works for us. And the Devil’s Psychos will handle transportation north?”
“Yeah, for a price,” I shot back immediately.
Ronan smirked. “Of course, let’s hear it.”
We negotiated the terms for a while longer before Ronan grinned and held out his hand. “Alright, good business.”
I shook his head and grinned. “If only all business was this easy.”
“It’s only because he’s had his head bashed in tonight,” Kierney said. “He’s a masochist in that regard.”
Ronan rolled his eyes. “Nah, sometimes you just gotta fight shit out of your system. Fight or fuck.”
“Amen,” Nico and I said together.
Ronan and Kierney laughed, and we finished our drinks, toasting to a new friendship.
Maya
Theweekaftermystaycation with my girlfriends, I felt lighter and freer than I had in years. Even with Jason and Nico in Chicago doing recon on Hillcrest, I couldn’t be happier. Marcos was home with us, Luke was in school, and my newly created group chat with my girls was popping off at random times of the days with random updates from my friends.
I had a permanent smile on my face.
Even my therapist commented on it when I was on the video session with her. She also reminded me that it was OK to feel sad tomorrow or later today if I felt myself dropping. Highs andlows were natural, but the biggest thing to remember was that my lows didn’t have to be so low, because I wasn’t alone. She still suggested that I check out a group session for victims of sexual assault, and I agreed to doing so one day soon, but for today, on this random Wednesday, I was going to enjoy it.
I danced around the kitchen, watching through the window as Marcos worked in the backyard. He was rebuilding the fire-pit that we used to have back there, as the previous owners had removed it. I was making soup in the kitchen while Luke was at school and I had a Halloween movie playing in the living room. It was a perfect fall day.
When the soup was done, I turned it off and headed out back to hang out with Marcos for a bit while he worked. I wrapped a flannel around me and slipped on some shoes before I headed out.
Marcos was busy digging out a base for a paver patio for our chairs to sit on while we sat around the fire pit in the middle. Eventually he would build a fire ring out of brick as well. “Hey, it’s looking good.” I smiled as I walked over.
He grinned and stopped working. “I sure am.”
I smirked and leaned into him for a kiss. “So is now the time to ask for a pool since you’re already digging?”
Marcos raised an eyebrow. “Now would be the time to ask for a pool. If my old lady wants a pool, then my old lady is going to get one.”
My breath caught in my throat at his words. “Old lady?”
