Coletrane Read Online Free PDF Page B

up.
    My jaw clenched. “Just a customer. Don’t even know her.”
    “Probably not that hard to look up the owner of a car like that.” Curtis sniffed-sniffed-sniffed then swiped at his nose.
    “See, we ain’t stupid anymore, neither. Maybe you went to college and all that, but we took over Charlestowne Crank Town when that Dirk asshole got himself shafted and sent up the river. Had to expand operations. Got our own inner-webz operations goin’ on.” Kyle inched closer, mentioning the bust that had nearly gotten Brodie Steele’s old lady killed.
    “Then it doesn’t sound like you need money.” Reasoning with these brain-dead druggies was probably a waste of good oxygen.
    “Here’s the thing. You gotta have resources to grow. And we’re gettin’ resourceful.” Brett pulled out a POS Lorcin handgun and spun it on his finger.
    Seeing that gun reminded me of the time we’d been so wasted we’d played Russian Roulette. That was how stupid I’d been. I’d thought I was invincible, fucking badass. It’d taken a monumental wake-up call to realize just how wrong I was.
    While Brett waved the weapon around, taking aim at various parts of the wall behind me, Curtis asked, “How’s your sister?”
    My stomach dropped to my feet, my face hardening in rage.
    Brett sneered at me and pulled the trigger. The empty chamber clicked, but he made the sound of an explosion.
    “Oh yeah, now I remember.” Curtis smacked his palm to his forehead.
    “She dead.” Kyle added, and they all laughed.
    The need to do violence, bash some heads, break some skulls exploded inside me.
    As I snarled, about to charge forward, Trixxie stuck her head into the room. “Hey, Cole. Where’d your girl go—?”
    I didn’t spare her a glance as her voice cut off. She must’ve seen the gun.
    “Go. See to your customer.” I knew full well she was back there alone but hoped like hell she’d get the picture and pull a disappearing act.
    Trixxie wisely shut herself inside the room. I heard her hit the lock, too.
    “Your girl, huh? That blonde? You said you didn’t know her.” Brett turned the gun on me.
    My inner beast was in full force as I lurched forward. I drilled the motherfucker against the wall and slammed the gun from his hand.
    With my forearm cranked against his neck, I almost foamed at the mouth. “You do not mention the blonde again. You do not look for her. And while we’re at, don’t you even fucking think about my sister either, because—God rest her soul—I will rip off your fucking limp dick and cram it down your throat until you choke on it.”
    I pounded my fist in his meaty face.
    The fast hard thud of the punch was so satisfying I let fly with one more. Blood spewed from Brett’s mouth, and he cried out.
    “Thought you went legit and shit.” He cupped his mouth and nose, speaking with a wheeze when I backed away. “Just dropped us when Brooke bit it. Like it was our fault.”
    “What did I just say about my sister?” I stared at the three of them, my breathing jagged, as jagged as the cuts on my knuckles. “Anyone else want a go at me?”
    Maybe the cravings set in. Maybe they’d hit their lows and needed that next fix. Maybe I’d shaken their shit up enough they wouldn’t try to fuck with me again. Whatever it was they all stood down as if suddenly losing their swagger.
    “Get the fuck out. Now. And do not come here again.” I pointed at the door as blood dripped from my ripped open knuckles.
    Brett loomed in the doorway, cradling a sleeve over his mashed face. “Can’t promise that. We still need some cash.”
    “You changed, dude.” Curtis slid toward the exit, pulling his hood over his head.
    “Damn fucking right I did.”
    ****
    After my old crew left, taking their druggie reek with them, Trixxie popped out. She asked a million questions a minute, none of which I answered.
    Getting through the day was a slog. Normally I turned off my head and tuned right into the hum of my ink gun, losing