Chapter 49 (Beauty's Breath) (Zero)
Chapter 49 (Beauty's Breath) (Zero)
He hasn't answered my question.
I want to insist he leaves her alone, but I don't.
I have always been a patient man, I can wait.
The rest of my morning I spend in the confines of this restaurant, chatting to my brother. He takes his
leave before I do and the urge to follow him rides me like a fucking ton.
How I remain seated to pay the bill, only god knows.
I got a night to plan for Beauty and me.
My patience with her has worn out. She has not said she loves me back, nor has she made any
attempt to initiate any sexual contact.
She is responsive to my touch but remains distant.
It’s as though she is waiting for another shoe to drop.
She expects me to leave her that much I know. Something is on her mind and I don't know how to get
her to open up.
After my goodbye to the waitress, I get on my bike, but not before putting the parking ticket in my denim
pocket.
I take a quick route to the bank and make a deposit I have put off this month due to time and then I
take the roads heading closer to our hotel.
Two hours later I stop to get a few things I need for tonight.
My phone rings as I’m jumping off my bike in the shopping malls underground parking lot. I watch the
lady with her kid as she pushes her shopping trolley toward her car.
“Yo, Spade, what's up brother?”
“Prez needs you guys back, four new girls were found dead, three with the same markings of the
previous ones. When Harley first insisted it wasn't her a few weeks back, we thought she’s just bat shit
crazy, turns out bitch is right, it isn't her. Once we confirmed that, she stopped talking. Harlow tried to
make her see the logic, but whatever she is on has fucked her up bad, brother. Prez doesn't want to
hurt her, called Ribs. He said we need The Ghost for this one. Tell Killer, Ribs said this needs to take
priority now, if this gets to the public, it could be major problems for the government, hence us.” Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!
“You think there's a cure for her?” I query, but my doubt is thick in my tone.
“Don't know brother, bitch is fucked in her head, but Knight insists we give Harlow a chance to find a
cure, brother has never pulled rank for a chick before.”
“Send the pictures through, if you want Killer involved, he’ll need motivation. Finding Lucca is his
number one priority right now. Besides that, we don’t have a clue who we could be dealing with. It’s
possible this is more than one person. Do me a favour, keep a close eye on Harlow.”
“Harlow? You mean Harley.”
“No, I know what I said, Harlow, chick could know more. It won't be the first time someone tried to pull a
blanket over our tracks. I'll give Killer a call and give him the update, he’s at Kylie's now, should be
done in a few.”
“Tried his phone, it’s off. Thought he was with you and Beggar. Where she at? Let me say hi.”
“She's with Killer, gone to see Kylie. Met with Thorn this morning, Killer suggested we keep my meet
with him away from her for now.”
He’s quiet, and I know Spade’s mind is working, “Find anything interesting?”
“A fuck load, we’ll talk once I get back. Is Quinn gone?”
“Yeah, left four days ago, can't believe she said that shit to Beggar and Beggar let it go, fuck, Quinn’s
lucky Beggar didn't fuck her up. She didn't get such luck with After.”
“What happened?”
“After was having a bad day when Quinn reminded her that it was her day to cook, let’s just say After
wasn't too happy on getting reminded. Quinn got herself a shiner and took off, but since you coming
home, you should know Quinn is coming back. The job she got at the hospital is a good spot for us.
River doesn't want his woman involved in too much of the Clubs shit. He’s making her leave work and
focus on her studies. Looks to me like Prez wants another kid.”
I snort at that one, if there is one thing I learned about Hannah- She doesn't do well with River bossing
her around. And River doesn't do well when his woman doesn't listen. This is going to be a fucking
disaster.
“Don't forget the pictures, and keep your eye on Harlow, in fact, get Texas to do it, brother knows how
to go unnoticed.”
“Get your asses back this side. I'll put a few cold ones in your bedroom fridge and some junk for
Beggar.”
“Shot, later man.”
“Later.”
I don't go to the shopping mall. Instead, I swing my leg back on my bike and saddle my monster.
Beauty and my night have to wait 'till we get back home.
Scrolling down my phone I spot her name under Beggar. I must change it to Beauty, I think as I dial her
up.
Five rings and her gruff voice goes through the speaker, “Yo.”
“Babe put Killer on the phone will you.”
“He isn't here, left me at the hotel lobby and said he'd pick me up when I'm done, that was an hour ago,
should be leaving in another couple of hours.”
“We need to leave now, Spade called, Prez needs us back, looks like Harley isn't the killer.”
“I'll shoot him a text.”
“His phone is off.”
“I'll shoot him a text, meet you back at the hotel?”
“Sure thing, be safe.”
She cuts the call, and I start up my bike and ride back to the hotel. It is going to be a very long night.
And an even longer week ahead of us.
We need to find Lucca, and catch a killer.