I straightened my expression. “Why do you think Phoenix doesn’t want you to kill me?”
“She’s smart. She likes to avoid as much violence and death as possible.”
“Naw.”
“She’s a quick forgiver.”
“Or Phoenix just doesn’t want me dead.”
Quin pursed her lips together.
I nodded. “But that’s not why you wanted to talk in the alley.”
“Who said I wanted to talk?”
“You were difficult to chase. I bet you could have easily lost me.” I scanned the alley. “You led me here. Why?”
She inched back.
“You want something from me.”
She frowned.
“What?”
She lowered the shotgun’s aim a little. “I’ve got questions.”
“Ask away.”
Rage spread across her face and cracked the neutral mask. “What did you do to Phoenix?”
I couldn’t help but smile again. “Phoenix didn’t tell you?”
Hot anger blazed through her eyes. “What the fuck are you happy about?”
“I’m surprised she kept our time together a secret.”
“Not all of it.” The finger touched the trigger and didn’t shake. “She just said you tortured her a little because she wouldn’t give you my address.”
I shrugged. “Perhaps, that’s a nice summary.”
“What did you do?”
“What she said.”
“There’s more.”
“There sure is, but have you asked yourself why Phoenix didn’t tell you.”
“Because she’s scared to tell me.”
“No.”
“Then, what is it, Cole?”
“Because. . .” I grinned. “Sometimes the best moments in life are the ones you can’t tell anyone about.”
She moved the shotgun’s aim to my face. “Why is there a fucking C on her shoulder? What the fuck is that about?”
“You don’t like the letter C?”
“Why did you do that?”
“Why do you think?”
“Fucking tell me!”
“If she didn’t say, then I won’t.”
Quin’s bottom lip quivered. “She’s acting different now.”
I narrowed my eyes. “How?”
“I don’t know. . .It’s not like it’s bad. . .she’s just. . .she thinks differently. She kind of. . .acts different too.”
My brothers’ bikes roared as they turned into the alley. I almost wished they hadn’t arrived. I wanted to learn more about Phoenix’s new behaviors.
“Uh. . .Quin.” Devin moved his guns’ target to them. “We have some more guests.”
“Keep your guns on one of them.” Quin kept her angry gaze on me. “They won’t do anything as long as I’m aiming at their brother.”
“Are you sure about that?” I asked.
“Phoenix doesn’t want me to kill you, but she would forgive me if it was self-defense.”
I spotted West and Griff slowing down. “My brothers won’t shoot you, unless you shoot them or me.”
“I want you to leave her alone.” Quin’s voice rose. “She gave you the money back—”
“I don’t want the money.”
“What the fuck do you want then?”
“Her.”
“You can’t have her!” Quin spat out the words. Desperation filled those angry eyes. She almost looked like she was close to crying, but I knew she was too hard for that. “Leave her the fuck alone!”
West yelled, “Take the gun off him!”
Devin’s hand shook. “Stay on the bikes.”
“And what do I do with the gun I have at your head?” Griff asked.
“Don’t shoot it.” Devin widened his eyes. “Stay right there.”
I gave Quin a sad smile. “This is getting complicated really fast. Can I make some suggestions?”
“Fuck your suggestions.” Quin stepped forward. “Maybe, I’ll just put a hole in your face anyway.”
“And then what?” West yelled. “You won’t make it out of the alley.”
“And this kid is too young to die tonight,” Griff offered. “Surely, he has more time to enjoy his shitty life.”
Devin muttered, “I do like my shitty life, Quin.”
“Everyone fucking relax!” Quin growled. “Cole and I aren’t done talking.”
I gritted my teeth at the constant use of that name.
She edged back. “How can I get you to stop coming after Phoenix?”
“Give her my present.” I slowly gestured at my passenger seat. “You do that and I’ll drive the other way.”
“What present?”
“It’s in the truck. Have Devin get it.”
“No way.” Quin shook her head. “If Devin grabs the gift, then that’s less guns for me. Have one of your bitch ass brothers do it.”
“Do we have to be bitch ass brothers?” Griff asked far behind me.
“I’ll get the present,” West volunteered. “Just don’t shoot me when I do it.”
Quin continued to watch me. “Then, make it quick.”
“That’s it.” I nodded. “You give Phoenix the present and I’ll go off in the opposite direction.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“What other options do you have?” I turned my view to my brothers. Griff remained on the bike. He had his gun targeting Devin.
West left his bike and went over to the truck.
I looked back at Quin. “You kill me and maybe one brother. Whoever you don’t kill won’t let you leave. Then, we’ll all die here. And it would all be over a gift.”
“You got something fucked up in the present?”
“Open it up. Check it. It’ll just be one object and a card. She’ll know what it all means, and trust me. . .she’ll want this message.”
“Naw. Maybe, I’ll just shoot you here.”
“Then, we all die.”