Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 84471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
Bone shakes his head. “Don't know him.”
I put my hand on his shoulder and he cringes. “If you’re worried about him finding out you talked. Don’t be. Unfortunately, Harry isn't with us any longer.” His eyes go wider, if that's even possible. “But I have it on good account that he bought his info from you. Now that doesn’t make me happy, but it’s fine. You're just doing business. But if you don't want this to come back and bite you in the ass even harder than it's already doing, you're gonna let me and my friend know where you got this info from.”
His eyes get a little wild, and he's looking past us like there might be help there. “It’s business. Yeah. Listen, you’ve gotta know what it’s like. I have a reputation. If it gets out that I reveal my sources, I’ll be a pariah. No one's gonna talk if they think I’ll rat them out.”
“Not our problem.” Skyhigh leans back into the couch and lets his cut fall open, revealing that we're both armed.
“Fuck,” Bone says under his breath. Then with a surprising amount of speed, slides under the table and makes a run for it.
He doesn't get far. Poe blocks his path, and when Bone veers the other way, he runs right into Dragon who lifts him in the air by his shirt and carries him back. “Pretty sure you weren't done talking,” he notes, dry as a… bone. Yeah, I'm fucking hilarious.
“Alright, Boner.” I take him straight from Dragon and push him back into the booth. “Here's the deal. Anyone finding out you squealed is a problem for future you. Us?” I gesture at myself and my boys with my free hand. “We're a now problem. Understood? So my advice, if you wanna keep all your teeth in your face and your nose unbroken, is that you consider your choices because we can show you what happened to Harry if you want motivation.”
His eyes widen in pure panic as if he only just realized exactly how much shit he's in. “Okay! Okay! Please don't hurt me. Please!”
Skyhigh grins wide. “That's all up to you now.”
“Honestly, I don't know his name. Goes by Brutus and I didn’t exactly ask for ID. Tall, built big… I don't know. Curly hair, short fuse.” He shrugs.
“Brutus?” Skyhigh frowns like it means something to him, but he doesn’t volunteer anything.
I tighten my grip on Bone’s shirt. “Something more concrete is a lot more likely to keep fists outta your face.”
“Shit. I don't know. I really fucking don't. He’s not consistent but he’s been trading me information for years and it’s always been solid enough to keep people happy. That's all I know about him and all I want to know.”
Frustrated, I toss him backwards into his seat with a growl, but much as I'd love to break his snotty little face, it's not gonna get me anything. “Here’s how it’s gonna be. If Brutus contacts you again, you’re gonna get on the phone to me before you do anything—and I mean fucking anything else—and spill it all. We are the only buyers for his info, and if I find out you've held out on us or not kept your mouth shut, we'll be back, and we won't be so fucking understanding.” I get up, dusting my hands off like I just touched something dirty.
“I swear. First thing. Absolutely” He's straightening his shirt, but following me real close with his eyes. Like I might just jump right back in there and change my mind.
Skyhigh gets up, too. “I hope for your sake that's true.”
“This was a waste of fucking time,” I growl on the way out.
“On the bright side, no one got shot.” Skyhigh laughs.
“Yeah, bright side.” I'm pretty sure I sound about as skeptical as I feel.
“Listen—” Skyhigh looks around. “Let’s get outta earshot first.”
Well, now I’m curious.
The bouncer gives us a wide berth as we leave.
“Whad’ya got?” Crank asks, arms crossed over his chest.
“Okay, this is a longshot.” Skyhigh throws his leg over his bike and settles in the seat. “Remember the collar we dug up? Tanner’s fucking dog was named Brutus. Odd for history to be showing its face twice in a row like that, but it’s too much of a coincidence to not mention it to Hellfire.”
“It’s a reach…” Dragon rumbles. “But weirder shit’s happened. Like you said, worth the mention.”
“Brutus isn’t that unusual. You think Tanner would use his fucking dog’s name as cover?” I dunno if I’m buying it.
Skyhigh shrugs. “Yes? No? It’s probably nothing.”
Poe shakes his head. “Go with your gut. Yeah, strange fucking coincidence, but it’s a potential lead.”
“Let’s report back and then go see if Willow’s up for a private party,” I suggest.
Dragon nods. “It’s fucked up, isn’t it? We might spend our day covered in blood and guts, and then go to her so she can smile and wash it the fuck away. I’ll take every second of goodness I can get, but if she saw us here, or down in the cells, would she even let us touch her?”