Broken but Breathing (Jinx Tattoos 2)

His footsteps seemed to echo on the floor as he walked down the hall just behind Data. They stepped into his room and Snake leaned against the door.

“What did you find, kid?”

“His name is Hiram Soutter. Born and bred in the town. He and his entire family aren’t ashamed of showing their rebel pride. I have his address and job. He works at the local hardware store. I can’t connect him to anyone other than his cousins, but maybe you can get him to crack.”

“Oh, I can get him to spill his guts, believe that.” Snake clenched his fists. “Can you get me his work schedule?”

“Believe it or not, the place isn’t digital. They still do everything by hand. So we’ll need to scout.”

“Get a cage, take Stealth, and scout for me. I want to know his comings and goings. I’m going to talk to Prez and sketch out a plan.”

“I’ll pack and get him up and be on the road in a few hours.”

Snake nodded and slipped from the room struggling to hold it together as his emotions flared. Clearing his throat, be blinked to keep the moisture swimming in his eyes at bay. Soon he could settle the score and lay his loves to rest properly. The thought of a proper burial for Jocelyn had his heart fit to burst. Swallowing everything down, like a bitter pill, he smoothed out his features and called Mike.

“Someone better be dead,” Mike croaked.

“Come on, Boss, it’s after ten o’clock.”

“Didn’t go to sleep until six, you little shit,” Mike said.

Snake shook his head. For a man in his mid-forties, he partied harder than some of the twenty-one-year-olds in their crew. “This is important.”

“Shit, what happened?” Mike asked.

“Data found something.”

“What do you need from me, brother?”

“Permission to send a scout and then go grab this fuck, once I have all the information I need. I want him and anyone else who had something to do with it to disappear.”

“Might draw a lot of attention,” Mike said.

“I can wait and spread it out if I need to.”

Mike sighed. “You deserve your revenge, brother, but act with care. Last thing we need is this coming back on us.”

“I understand. I’ll make sure we’re not targeted. I figure men like this have made a lot of enemies over the years,” Snake stated, wondering how many lives they’d ruined. I’ll make them pay for every one of those lives.

“Then you have my blessing. Take as many people as you need when the time comes. We’re good here for now. Things are quiet and relationships are friendly with everyone,” Mike said.

“I’m going to get to work on setting things up so I can get out of here. I’ll make sure Kali knows she’s in charge. The nightclub will run smoothly while I’m gone with her in charge.”

Mike snickered. “Yeah. She came out the womb bossy as hell,” he replied, referring to his baby sister.

“I bet she’d say the same thing about you.”

“I’m six years older, I’m supposed to be running things.”

Snake laughed. If women were allowed into the club, she’d be the perfect prospect. Instead, she’d become a den mother of sorts. “Hey, what do you think of Es?” he asked, turning his thoughts to something that would help him wait out the time.

“What? The little blonde you been bringing around?”

“Yeah.”

“She seems all right, why?”

“She’s graduating from Bartending School. I want to offer her a job at Rain.”