Page 6 of Fiendish Ways

That was fair. Winter or summer, this was Cree’s favorite spot. Cree grunted. He knew Archer wasn’t looking for a response.

For a moment, they sat in silence, enjoying the night air, before Archer spoke up again. “You know, I’m still not keen on the idea of Nebraska becoming a guard. That doesn’t sound like something he’ll enjoy.”

“Yeah.” Cree had a feeling Archer was right.

“It’s okay for him to be here as nothing more than someone for you. That’s fine. There are exactly two people in this world I trust: Angel and you. If you say this boy won’t sell us out, then cool. You deserve to have something pretty you set on a shelf and spoil. That’s what Angel is to me. I would never deny you that. Don’t try to make him someone he’s not for me, okay?”

Cree nodded. He wasn’t sure it had been for Archer. Cree didn’t know anymore who he tried to appease. Maybe it was himself. He didn’t think he was enough for anyone. Cree was pretty fucked up in the head. Nebraska deserved beautiful things. Cree wasn’t beautiful. His soul was black. Tainted. As Nebraska said, fiendish. If Cree hadn’t plucked Nebraska from his life, maybe he could’ve gone to college and been anything. He was amazing. Cree had stolen his life.

“The business we really should discuss is my shit being held hostage in the shipping yard. This isn’t the first time we’ve had this problem, but Journey isn’t with us any longer, and I can’t roll up in there and kill everyone. We need a hacker. We need someone who can bypass their system and make it look as if all is well, so they’ll release my shit.”

“I can do that.”

Cree’s head turned so fast toward the doorway, he nearly injured himself.

Nebraska stood there, twisting his fingers, and looking scared as hell. “I’m good at hacking stuff.”

Cree wanted to beg him to shut up before he got himself in too deep, but it was too late. He had Archer’s attention.

“You honestly think you could bypass their system? We’re not talking high school shit where you change your grades.”

Nebraska nodded. “I know. While I used to break into the school system all the time to mark my fees and lunch as paid, because my dad was a shit parent and I would’ve starved otherwise, I can also break into other things. I hacked the court system and erased my dad’s DUIs and got his license back. He never let me learn how to drive, so I couldn’t risk him not being able to get groceries. When he actually did, that is.”

“Damn. You actually hacked the courts and didn’t get caught?”

Nebraska nodded.

Archer looked Cree’s way. “If he can do that as a teen with no one backing him, I could keep him safe doing smaller things.”

Cree nodded. Again, it was too late, and it wasn’t his life. If Nebraska wanted to do this, he couldn’t stop him.

“If you point me toward a laptop, I can get you in.”

Nebraska’s claim had Archer on his feet. “Let’s go.”

With a smile—like a kid being complimented—Nebraska headed inside with Archer. Cree took a deep drag from his cigar. Once again, he wouldn’t watch Nebraska make this choice. However… A smile pulled at the corners of his mouth that had nothing to do with his high. Nebraska couldn’t get away from him now. It didn’t matter if Cree wasn’t good enough for Nebraska. Archer would never let him go. They were stuck.

It took Nebraska less than five minutes to do Archer’s task. Archer looked thrilled. King had praised him, and they started talking about setting up a bank account for Nebraska so he could spoil himself. All Nebraska wanted was to be with Cree. He ducked out the first moment he could. Cree was right where Nebraska had left him.

Smoke billowed around him the second he stepped outside. “Holy secondhand high. What are you smoking?”

Cree grabbed his waist and hauled him into his lap. “That was fast.”

Nebraska shrugged and cuddled against Cree’s huge chest. “I told you I could do it.”

Cree took a puff from his cigar and touched Nebraska’s chin, urging it up. His lips met Nebraska’s. He blew the smoke into Nebraska’s mouth. Nebraska automatically inhaled. His head immediately spun. His muscles relaxed. Cree did it again. Nebraska didn’t fight. He wanted to let go. His anxiety always ruined things.

“You know Archer won’t let you go now, right? What you did tonight made you a prisoner of this life.”

Nebraska nodded. “I know.”

Cree blew more smoke into Nebraska’s mouth. His skin warmed and his tongue loosened. “Maybe I wanted to trap you. Maybe it’s you who can’t get away now.”

If he was bothered, Cree didn’t show it. He kept smoking. The smoke billowed around his face, making him look downright evil. “Are you getting inked tonight?”

Nebraska shook his head. “King is currently getting a unicorn tattoo as we speak.”

A snort burst from Cree. He snuffed out his cigar and then rearranged Nebraska on his lap, moving Nebraska to straddle him. He held Nebraska’s stare, looking high, and turned on. In fact, his erection couldn’t be missed between them. “I love having you here with me. That’s what I should’ve said earlier. I didn’t mean to make you feel otherwise. You’re the best part of my day.”

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