“A visit to Randall, people talk.”
“My men better not fucking talk.”
“I’ve got guys who can hack into any kind of shit for the right price. I wanted to know what was going on, so I got everything checked out. How is she?”
“She’s … fuck, I don’t know how she is.” Preacher ran a hand down his face. In order to deal with business, he’d dropped her back off at Anne’s to stay. He’d offered to pay the woman, but she’d glared at him and told him the next time he offered to pay her, she’d kick him in the balls for his disrespect. She’d slammed the door on his face and within seconds, opened it and apologized, saying she wouldn’t hurt him at all. She didn’t believe in violence.
“Your woman’s knocked up and you don’t know how she’s doing. What kind of fucking saint are you?”
“I’m not a saint.”
Dog snorted, taking a deep inhale on his cigarette before blowing it out, pluming smoke traveling up until it dissipated. “When it comes to your woman, you’re a saint. I’ve never known a guy who nearly gave up everything to find this one woman. It made me wonder so many times if this chick has a magnet for a pussy, or a super one. I don’t know.”
“Watch it.”
“What? A guy’s got to know what makes another guy go crazy, right?”
“I’m not crazy.”
“Dude, did you even look in the mirror when you went all over trying to find ghosts? That’s what you did.” Dog laughed. “People thought it made you look weak and shit.”
“You didn’t?”
“No, hell, no, I thought it made you look a little more interesting.” Dog stopped to take another long drag on his cigarette. “Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t understand the feelings and I didn’t see whatever magic she’s got going on when I came for dinner, but shit, Preacher, you were pacing, waiting for money. What gives?”
Preacher stared at him, and Dog held his hands up.
“We can pretend we’re not friends for a little longer, if you’d like. We both know the truth.”
“We’re not friends. We’re business associates.”
Dog snorted. “Right. Like you wouldn’t give a shit if you
ever found out one of my boys was planning to off me. It happened just last week, in case you were wondering.”
“Wait? What?”
“Yeah, the fuck, right? I can’t believe it myself. Who the fuck can buy loyalty these days? I know I can’t. I treat my boys well, you know. Give them a good life. Give them a good fucking reason for living and what do I get? Fuck all. That’s what I get.” He shook his head. “It’s all bullshit.”
“What happened?”
“To cut a long story a little short, one of my boys didn’t like taking orders from me anymore, and so in his way to deal with it, he made a deal to deliver my severed head.”
Preacher looked down at his neck.
“You won’t find it severed. I stopped him before he could even get close. I look like a pretty boy, but believe me, my muscles can make a man hurt in ways they don’t even realize. It’s all good, though. This is the kind of shit I live for.”
He took a deep breath. “He wanted the money. The power, and I guess he wanted to have the reputation for taking me out.”
“It wasn’t my boy, was it?” Preacher asked, chuckling. He had to go and deal with Bishop one day.
“Nope. Your boy comes anywhere near my camp, I’m sending his ass straight back to you. The kid thinks he’s all big and tough but he won’t last five minutes in a ring like this. Without realizing it, he likes rules. It’s why he pretty much broke apart over all the Reaper bullshit.”
“There really is a brain inside that head of yours, isn’t there?”
“I’ve told you before, I’m a hell of a lot more than a pretty fucking face,” Dog said, giving him a little pout.
“Yeah, I’m not going to date you anytime soon.” Preacher finished his cigarette, staring down at the ring. “You know, I’ve never known real fear. I always thought fear was for pussies. There’s nothing to be afraid of when you’re the biggest, baddest motherfucker around. I’ve never had anything to lose. Whatever I’ve wanted, I’ve taken, and anything I don’t want, I don’t even bother to fucking hunt for.”