Page 13 of Fiendish Ways

A bright smile exploded across Nebraska’s face. “Shut up. You remembered?”

King stood. “Of course. You’re my best friend. How could I forget?”

The statement hit harder than Nebraska expected. Cree hadn’t noticed. In fact, he couldn’t recall if Cree had ever asked about the date of his birthday. It seemed he was pretty forgettable to the person he loved the most. That tracked.

Cree spent the entire day going from store to store, buying everything he could think of to get for the perfect birthday party. By the time he got home, he wanted to pat himself on the back for how perfect things would be. He was a tad surprised Nebraska hadn’t called or texted, demanding to know why he had sneaked away without saying goodbye. On his birthday, no less. Once again, Nebraska was nowhere to be found. This time, he went straight to King’s bedroom. He didn’t knock. Cree burst in, half expecting to find them in bed. The room was empty.

It wasn’t like he hadn’t mentioned how uncomfortable he was with how close they were. Now they were missing. His temper spiked so hard and fast, his head pounded. Cree stamped down the stairs. He found Angel on the couch, reading a book.

“Have you seen Nebraska?”

Angel flipped his page without looking Cree’s way. “He went to run errands with King.”

Cree tried taking a breath, but there was a knot in his gut that wouldn’t budge. “How long ago was that?”

Angel shrugged. “After breakfast.”

Cree saw red. He ran his hand through his hair and dug out his phone. It was nearly seven. There was nothing King could take Nebraska to do that should last that long. He pulled up the GPS tracking app linked to Nebraska’s phone. It pinged at an address in town. Cree searched the address. It was a hotel.

“That mother—” Cree headed for the garage without looking back. He didn’t think. Cree couldn’t. Everything was a black cloud of rage he couldn’t see past. He drove twice the speed limit and tore into the parking lot on nearly two wheels. Thankfully, the guy at the front desk wasn’t above taking bribes. Cree had their room number in under ten minutes. Still, each one felt like an eternity. As he exited the elevator on their floor, he pulled his gun from its holster. King was dead. Cree wouldn’t endure this betrayal. Nothing mattered anymore except Nebraska. Losing him meant losing the last of his sanity.

Cree didn’t knock. He wouldn’t give them a chance to scramble. Cree lifted his foot and kicked the door open with more force than necessary. It came halfway off its hinges.

Nebraska sat on the hotel bed with a hamburger lifted halfway to his mouth. His eyes were wide. The moment he caught sight of Cree’s gun, his burger dropped into the food container on the bed. Nebraska scrambled away and crouched between the mattress and the wall, looking terrified.

“Where is he?”

Nebraska shook like a leaf. His eyes never left the gun. Cree felt zero remorse. He was glad he was scared. Nebraska needed a healthy dose of reality. He had signed King’s death warrant.

Cree’s gaze scanned the room. The beds were perfectly made. A kid’s movie played on the TV. King wasn’t in sight. Cree checked the bathroom and closet. There was no way to get under the bed.

“Where is he?”

Nebraska shook his head. “Not here. He went out with friends.”

“Get your shit.”

With wide eyes, Nebraska shook his head again. “I don’t have anything other than my dinner. I only planned to watch a movie.”

“Don’t give me that bullshit. You have a fucking TV at home.”

He closed the lid of Nebraska’s food container and picked it up. “Let’s go.”

Slowly, Nebraska came to his feet. He headed for the door, wringing his hands. They didn’t talk as they made their way back to the SUV. Nebraska climbed into the passenger seat.

Cree passed him the food as he climbed behind the wheel. On the way home, Cree didn’t say a word. He was too furious. Nebraska held his silence while keeping his hands clasped so tightly, his knuckles were white.

When they got home, Nebraska walked inside ahead of him. Thankfully, no one was around. Dutifully, Nebraska headed upstairs and into their bedroom. He froze as he stepped inside the room. Balloons were everywhere. Flowers sat by the bed. A cake and ice cream waited. The latter had probably melted. Brightly wrapped presents waited on the bed.

Cree nudged him along and followed him inside before slamming the door. He locked it. “Happy fucking birthday.” Cree headed for the settee and sat. His rage had him scared of himself. Even he didn’t know what he would do, but he knew it wouldn’t be good.

Nebraska followed a little slower. He sat on the settee and stared at the cake. “This looks nice.”

“Eat it, then.”

Nebraska didn’t respond right away. “I’m not hungry anymore.”

Cree’s eye twitched. “Then go take a fucking shower. I don’t want his stink on you.”

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