Broken but Breathing (Jinx Tattoos 2)
Page 26
Snake skimmed over the words. It was from his old town.
You have to get serious about cleansing. Burn homes to the ground. Raise a ruckus. Show them why they’re inferior. Passivity has led to the ruination of our country.
“What the fuck?” Snake said.
“Sounds like more than the angry rantings of a coward. This man has done some extreme things in the name of his beliefs. I don’t think where he’s from is a coincidence. There’s a slight chance he could be alluding to what happened to make himself look like a big shot.”
“Then he fucked up. Can you get his personal information?” Snake asked.
“Already did it. I wasn’t sure what you wanted to do,” Data replied.
“I want to have a Q &A session with our friend.”
Data glanced back at him. “I can track him down.”
“Do it.” Snake balled his fists, relishing the crackle of bones. He’d been waiting years to find those bastards, and get his revenge. He could only imagine Jade and Jocelyn were stuck in some fucked up limbo waiting for him to avenge them. A warrior always got even. He’d been a sheep before his life with the Wild Ones—quiet, docile, and ready to go with the flow in most things. Now he was a beast who stood up for what he believed and took when others would never give. The world was a dark pace. The strong survived and thrived. The weak were overrun. He’d never be the one on the bottom again. His phone buzzed in his cut pocket, and he thought of Es. Right now she was out there vulnerable, hurting, and alone. He needed to soothe his anger before he exploded. She did that without trying, eased the burning rage he kept buried deep below the surface.
He pulled out his phone.
How’s my support doing? ~Es
Not good. Time to meet up? ~ Snake
He’d punched in the words before he could take them back. She’d slipped beneath his barriers and become a part of his circle.
Yes, could use your opinion on a few things. ~ Es
Game play? ~Snake
The video arcade? ~ Es
Yeah, games, food, and non-romantic patrons? ~ Snake
Lol! Did you really just say patron? ~Es
I know words, woman. ~ Snake
I’m in. What time? ~ Es
30 minutes. ~ Snake
Done. See you there, be ready to get trumped. ;) ~ Es
He needed to proceed with care and methodical thinking. Rushing in would make the waiting for nothing.
“Data, I’ll get with you tomorrow on this, and we’ll rough out a plan.”
“Got it, VP.”
Snake pounded his fist lightly on Data’s shoulder, and left the clubhouse.
§
As he made his way into the small arcade, he felt like he was returning to his youth. The older video games were lined up in the center and around the outside walls were pinball. A concession stand was open, and the prices were right for the continuous play. The place was crowded with teenagers engrossed in their epic battles with the games. It made him smile. He’d been them once. Out of habit, he walked the perimeter after paying for two entries. There was no danger here. He could take any of these people with his eyes closed. His phone buzzed. He moved out the front door. She stepped out of her car and waved.
“I’ve never been here before.”
“Then you don’t know what you’re missing, Es. It’s my goal to broaden your horizons.”