Page 16 of Deranged
Henry kept it short. “Hey. I just wanted to make sure you don’t need anything before I run over to the construction site.” He was really going to miss that excuse when the new buildings were completed.
Beau waved him away. “You should enjoy your day after you check the property. We plan to stay in all day.”
With a nod, he backed from the doorway and went in search of Field. He didn’t find him, but he found Tracker and Clay hanging out in the kitchen with Fabrice.
Clay jumped to his feet as if he expected to get scolded. “We just finished lunch.”
Henry made a dismissive motion. Clay acted like Henry didn’t know he spent over half his day up Fabrice’s ass. “Sit back down. You’re fine. Has anyone seen Field?”
Tracker picked up his phone and clicked around. “Looks like he’s at the new dance studio.”
That was weird. Maybe Rain or Shadow were dancing today. “Thanks. I was just headed that way to check on the progress of the garage.” He started to walk away. Then he recalled Ridge had tried to convince the team to leave. He turned back. “By the way, when I was over there yesterday, the foreman said your new security headquarters will be ready in less than a week.”
Tracker sat up straight. His entire body screamed excitement. “Really?”
“Yeah. If you want, you can head over there and check out the place. I’m driving, because I’m old like that. If you’d like, you can ride with me.”
Tracker was immediately on his feet. He didn’t look like a man bent on leaving the fold. “Sounds great.” On the way to the garage, he chuckled. “If you haven’t noticed, I’m super pumped to start setting up. This is like my dream position.”
Henry nodded. “Beau is extremely grateful to have you and can’t wait to see your work.”
“It’s nice to be considered useful rather than intrusive.”
“Some things are more important than privacy.”
Tracker looked relieved at Henry’s observation. “Right? Like staying alive!”
It was obvious Tracker felt very passionately about his skills. Henry waited until they were on their way to use that to his advantage. “Have you ever thought—or the crew in general—have you ever considered quitting? You could just stop and focus on what you love. Beau is putting you in the perfect position for your talents. Wouldn’t your entire crew be happier just focusing on their talents?”
Tracker laughed. “Unfortunately, a majority of the guys’ biggest talent is killing people, but I get what you mean. I know everyone would be happier, but that has to be a group decision. If a few of us quit and anyone got hurt because they were short members,then what? I don’t think there’s a single one of us left with enough of our mental health to survive that.” From the corner of his vision, he saw Tracker’s hands rise and fall. “I wanted to quit a long time ago. We have more than enough money, and one of these days, this nonsense will catch up with us. If last night was any indication, it’ll be soon.”
He had always thought Tracker seemed like the most levelheaded of the bunch. It seemed he was right. Henry was glad he put the seed in Tracker’s mind. Maybe it would grow. “If your group ever wants out, just say the word. Beau has plenty of room on his team and he’s a master at finding the perfect position for people.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
That was all Henry could ask. He couldn’t demand they stop, and he wouldn’t betray Field by saying Field wouldn’t choose them if they left. Henry could only hope they picked a better path. Maybe Beau wasn’t exactly a blue-collar job, but he was a hell of a lot better for these kids than what they were doing.
He stopped in front of what would soon be Tracker’s place. “Here you go. I don’t know how long I’ll be at the dance studio.”
Tracker flashed him a smile. “Don’t worry about me. I can walk back. Plus, who knows? I might find a corner to crash and refuse to move until I have this place up and running.”
Henry’s smile was real. If he could get all the guys this excited about this place, he would have no trouble convincing them to stay. “Have fun.”
They both climbed from the truck and headed in different directions. When he opened the studio door, he expected to be met with music and laughter—the way it usually was when the guys were here. Instead, there was complete silence. For a moment, he wondered if he had missed Field. Then he spotted him sitting in the middle of the dance floor with an open jar of peanut butter and staring into space.
Henry approached slowly. He didn’t want to end up shot or stabbed for surprising Field.
When he almost reached Field’s side, Field focused on him. A slight but sad-looking smile touched his lips. He held up the jar. “I wanted to find a place where there was zero chance of Mickey finding any remnants of nuts.”
He really was the best person Henry had ever met.
“As much as I appreciate Fabrice, sunflower butter isn’t the same.”
Henry dropped to the floor next to him. “What’s the deal with the peanut butter anyhow? That seems like such an odd addiction.”
A genuine smile appeared. “It tastes like freedom. This is the first real food I had after escaping.”
“Real food is a stretch.”
