Spun (Kings of Chaos 1)

I shrug. “Better than I was before. The laundry’s done, house is clean, and home cooked meals are in my belly. Every man’s dream, right?”

“Hmmm. And this new shit with, Hulk?”

I tilt my head. “You worried it might get out of control?”

“Not necessarily. Hulk can be impulsive, but he knows he’s always been wrong where Nevada is concerned. I think the fucker just needed an excuse to come home without losing face.”

“Why? No one told his dumbass to leave in the first place.”

“Don’t ask me to understand the wasteland of that brother’s mind. Maybe he thought he’d be letting his old lady win.”

“She already did when she left without looking back. She’s off somewhere being happy as fuck, and he’s wandering like a nomad. Shit is stupid.” I scowl.

“Nothing wrecks a man like love.”

“If you’re stupid enough to buy into the bullshit,” I mutter.

“And you don’t?” Stone studies me.

His serious tone shocks me. “You think I’m going soft on you?”

“I think you’re living in a house with a hot young girl who thinks you fucking hang the moon. She always has.”

His words irritate me. “What? You think I did this shit ’cause I was hard up for pussy?” I ask, offended. He should know me better than that by now. She’s just a kid.

“No, I’m saying you’ve created the perfect storm. You’re getting long in the tooth, and Nevy is a good girl.”

“That’s why I wanted to help her out, Pres. Don’t turn this shit into a Lifetime special.”

“Look, you been edgy lately. I don’t want to lose another brother to the darkness. You’ve got a chance to get a hold of something soft and fucking pure. Grab that shit with both hands and don’t let go.”

I glance away. He’s seen the monster in me clawing its way up to the surface. It’s easier to be numb. It helps me process all of the ugly shit I’ve witnessed. We’re not big time. Our drama isn’t TV worthy, but it’s there and we always do what needs to be done to make sure we come out on top with clean hands. Some brothers balance that out with hard partying, drinking, drugs, or sex. I like all three as much as the next, but when you?

??re in your forties that shit isn’t as appealing as it used to be. There’s an emptiness in me that I’m not sure how to fill up. “What? You think I should make a move? Feels weird, man. I mean, Nevy is practically my niece.”

“You’re not that damn sentimental, brother. Give it time and open that thick ass skull of yours to the possibility of something more. You already have the responsibility. What’s wrong with reaping the benefits, too?”

“You got a point.” I take a pull off my cigar. The familiar action and scent steady me.

“I always do. That’s why I run this shit. Now, let’s talk about this shit storm coming with Hulk. If you need to draw blood, I want it done swiftly. Right on the heels of the bullshit with Fuse, the last thing we need is more disturbance. That shit makes the brothers antsy.”

“I’ll talk to him. He left her in a bad way. If he’s mad at anyone, it should be himself,” I say.

“I know, brother. You’ll get no disagreements from me. If I had a kid I sure as hell wouldn’t leave her out to the wolves. Why do you think I always made sure we picked up the slack for Nev?”

I nod in understanding. “When do you think he’ll hit town?”

“Probably two, three days tops.”

“I’ll be ready.”

“Just remember, good women are important. They hold us down and keep shit legitimate when we don’t have a snowball’s chance in hell.”

“I’m not going to turn Nevy against us, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“No, but you need to be thinking about cementing shit between the two of you.”

“You ordering me?” I ask. It’s within his rights.