Page 41 of Love Bleeds Red
No. I can’t be hearing what I think I’m hearing.
“If you’d like. Yes, I can do that. No, she’s useful here… a good informant.”
Informant? I turn back toward Cat to see if she’s hearing this, but she hasn’t moved.
“Erik is dead. Yes. I’ll take care of it.”
I wait for more, some kind of explanation that negates what I think I heard, but his footsteps move away.
Elise. She called Yuri.
I’m frozen at the door, replaying that moment. Her staying put while we ran, quietly crying into her hands, and suddenly it all makes sense. She wasn’t scared, she was waiting. Waiting for us to leave so she could make her call. If Cat finds out, she’ll kill her, and I don’t think I’d stop her.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
LEON - PRESENT DAY
Between completing longoverdue house chores for Mum, running searches on my father, which I haven’t done in years, and messaging a few contacts, day somehow turned to night. I order takeaway curry from the place around the corner, a special treat for Mum.
She tries to hide it behind oversized cardigans and loose-fitted pants, but I see how thin she’s gotten. The divot in her collarbones is deep enough to cup water. Since Nana and Pop died, and I left, who has she got to cook for? I can’t let that chip away at me along with everything else though. While I’m here, I’ll make sure she eats well and often.
As we eat, I give her the news that Damon and Jasper are coming in a few days, leaving out the possibility of Blake, Falin, and two unruly kittens. Of course, she declares that they must stay with us, that we’d be terrible people if we allowed them to pay for accommodations. When I remind her that the house isn’t much bigger than a shoebox, she tuts, saying, “We’ll manage.” I’ll leave that to her to figure out.
My phone beeps with a message as Mum clears away our containers.
Cruz:Call me
“Mum, I’m going to get some air. Be back a bit later.”
She turns from the sink, hands on her hips. “Pick up some milk while you’re out.”
I wave her off, grab my helmet, and head outside. Once I’m through the garden and onto the sidewalk, I lean on my bike and dial Cruz.
“Colter,” Cruz answers in one ring.
“Alright?” I ask, while I keep an eye on my surroundings for nosey neighbors.
“About your inquiry.” His voice drops to a whisper. “You know… the hardware?”
I sigh and tilt my head up to look at the darkening sky. “Yes, I understand what you mean. You found someone?”
“Maybe.”
Cursing under my breath, I ask, “Why are you asking me to call you if it’s a maybe, Cruz? I need a positive.”
“It’s just… this isn’t like popping into the supermarket for a loaf of bread. What you’re looking for takes a bit of finesse.”
“Alright, go on. Tell me what you know.”
I can picture him fidgeting with that bloody cap of his as he takes his time to reply. “He’ll be at The Irons tonight. Big bloke named Knapp. He’s new to the game. Usually has a few buddies surrounding him.”
“Alright, so we go to The Irons, show him how much I’m willing to spend,” I say, already working through a plan.
“It’s not that easy,” Cruz says with a nervous laugh. “He doesn’t just sell to anyone with cash.”
“Get on with it,” I groan, ready to kick something.
“You’ll have to prove yourself. Show him you’re not some wannabe who’ll get himself nicked five minutes after walkingaway with his merchandise.” He sucks in air, probably a cigarette. “You want guns, you’ll have to work for it.”
