Page 20

But for now, I’ll continue the only way I know how. From this day forward, I’m no longer Danny O’Brien, boy sick in love with a girl who doesn’t fit into the dark world I live in.

I’m Bones.

And that’s just the way it has to be.

“Look, you won’t see that girl again. She clouds your vision.”

My eyes jump to him. Moretti’s hair is slicked straight back, and he’s wearing a dark suit with a gold watch. He’s always looked the part he plays.

“That’s an order. Be done with her. If you need something to fuck, grab one of these girls around here.” He hits his smoke. “I need you to say you hear me on this.”

“Yeah, I hear you.”

“Good.” He nods. “Things are changing. We’ve got to think smarter.” He sits back in his chair, twirling a gold diamond ring on his finger. “I realize we gotta use these damn cell phones, so we’ll use nicknames because the feds are listening. I notice them more and more on the streets.”

“Okay, I’m Bones, so what will I call you?” I ask.

“Boss,” he replies. If on the phone and you need to say my name, say Boss. You tell Johnny and that crazy fucker Carson. We’re in a new time, Bones.” He hits his smoke again. “Now, get out of here.”

I stand, walking to the door.

“And Bones,” he says. I turn around at the nickname he’s given me. “Don’t ever do this again.”

And I know he means it.

“Yeah,” I reply lowly. I snatch open the door and walk out. “Johnny,” I say. He and Carson get up from the couch they’re occupying.

I see Nugget by the bar and walk over to him. “Yo, Nugget,” I say. He turns to face me, and I rare back and punch him square in his fucking jaw.

“Goddammit, you little shit,” he says, about to go after me.

Johnny grabs him. “You don’t wanna do that. After all, Danny’s Moretti’s right hand.”

“Bones,” I correct him. “From now on, you’ll call me Bones. And don’t you ever point a gun at me again or, I swear to God, I’ll blow your fucking brains out.”

Nugget yanks from Johnny’s hold. “Yeah, okay, Bones,” he says acidly, reaching back for his beer. I lift my chin at Johnny and Carson and we exit the clubhouse.

“So, what’s up with Bones?” Johnny asks.

“Moretti says we’re in new times. We’ve got to be more careful on the phone.” I look over at Carson. “You know anybody who cleans up better than Johnny?”

He shakes his head. “Nah. He’s the best.”

I smile. “Sweep fits you,” I say to Johnny.

“I’ll go with that,” he replies.

“What the fuck you gonna call me?” Carson says.

I look down, knowing he’s strapped. Crazy fucker is always ready to pull the trigger.

“Trig,” I say. “We’ll call you Trig.”

He smiles.

“It’s us three against the world.” I grab my smokes from my front pocket as we climb into the car.

“So, what about Bexley?” Sweep says.