Page 168 of Vicious Saint
“This motherfucker Carlo following Hendrix around…you better know who he really is.”
“Of course I do.”
“Does this have something to do with you or Hendrix?”
He gulps, and I want nothing more than to rip his jugular out.
“Tell me. Now.”
“It’s complicated, Saint, and I’m willing to explain but I need you to promise me you will keep this between us.”
“You don’t deserve my secrecy…not when you’re putting a Russian target on my sister’s back.”
“You’re right. I don’t. But someone else does.”
“Are you talking about Hendrix?”
“Yes.” He signals for me to give back the folders, which I do, only because I’m finally getting some answers.
“Her father was nothing but a fall guy.”
With a heavy glance at the closed door, his voice turns hushed. “There’s a lot about her you don’t know, son. She doesn’t either, and we must keep it that way.”
“Hendrix doesn’t deserve to be in the dark. Not when this affects her enough to rattle you.”
“You’re right. But she deserves to be kept safe. Sheneedsto be kept safe, Saint.”
“So does Theory!” I yell through a whisper. “And you brought the danger right to our doorstep.”
“Theory will be fine, I promise. It’s why I’m setting her up in a provisional.”
Provisional rooms. A.K.A. the Royal Families’ self-made panic rooms for “just in case” incidents.
Auto seal doors and windows. Stocked up supplies.
Vomits paranoia.
But I guess forefathers and fathers like mine, Crayton’s, Riggs’, and Levi’s can never be too careful.
“I take it your offer for me to hold up in one wasn’t out of the kindness of your heart.”
“Of course it was, Saint. For so many reasons.”
Reasons I have no choice but to delay pressing about, because a new one just hit the forefront.
“Do you know how hard it’s gonna be for me to keep an eye on both Theory and Hendrix?”
“This is why Hendrix needs to be with you.”
“Yeah. I could smell the bullshit aboutshticksfrom a mile away.”
“The shtick is true, but not because of the fire. We’re a little behind setting Hendrix’s room up as a provisional. It won’t be for much longer, and I’m sure you’ll find a way to convince her to stay with you until it’s done.”
Oh, I’ve got a few methods.
Not any he’ll like.
But that’s beside the point.
