Page 39

Jupiter snorted.

“Why did he keep calling you a bastard? Really seemed to get under your skin.” Trev shrugged. “At least until all the weird space toilet talk. Methinks your daddy issues are starting to show, and you know?—”

Jupiter shook his head, leaving the room in a huff.

“Fine! Fuck you!” Trev shouted after him. “I didn’t want to talk to you anyway!” He scowled when he heard the side door open and slam shut. “Asshole.”

With nothing better to do, Trev lay back down in bed. He stretched out on his side, hoping to look enticing for whenever Jupiter decided to get over himself and come back.

Several minutes passed before he heard another door open, but this sounded like the doors at the other end of the hall that led out to the factory floor. He could hear Howell and Sal talking, and having nothing better to do, he decided to listen in.

“…is cut, okay?” Howell was saying. “Before you even move it. Ya’ don’t wanna get busted with nothin’ that pure, all right? ’Cause then ya’ lose it all.”

“Understood, sir,” Sal said.

“Who’s controllin’ the pipeline? I wanna know where this shit is comin’ from.”

“I can assure you it’s a legit source.”

“I’ll decide what the fuck is legit or not. I don’t want no fuckin’ trouble with anybody either south of the fuckin’ border or certain small islands, ya’ fuckin’ feel me?”

“Of course. Look, we got a federal dog on a leash. He’s the source.”

Howell laughed. “That’s how you motherfuckers managed to float all this, huh? Not bad, not bad. Make sure that leash stays nice and tight though, huh? Don’t wanna get bit.”

“Never.”

“So.” Howell cleared his throat. “You wanna tell me more ’bout this lil’ side project ya’ got goin’ on?”

“It’s really nothing to concern yourself with,” Sal replied. “Just hammering out some old family business.”

“And ya’ let the bastard be the man on point?” Howell chuckled. “Must not be that important then.”

“We’re giving him a chance to prove himself.”

“Which means he’s already fucked up.” Howell clicked his tongue. “He’s a real piece of shit, huh?”

Sal chuckled. “Trust me, if he wasn’t family…”

Trev leaned forward, straining to hear more. He figured Sal must have made a gesture of some kind or perhaps whispered something because there was a pause and then Howell laughed.

“Hey. Do what you gotta do.” Howell sounded like he was smiling that big stupid smile of his. “Speak of the devil.”

The door opened, no doubt Jupiter returning.

“We’re wrappin’ up here,” Sal said. “Takin’ Mr. Hodges out for breakfast. We’ll get somethin’ to go and bring it back.”

“Any requests from you or your lil’ pet?” Howell teased.

“Pancakes,” Jupiter replied. “With strawberries and whipped cream.” He snorted. “Just coffee for me.”

“Yous got it.” Howell walked by the open doorway, and he flashed Trev a sly smile. “Be seein’ ya’.”

Trev flipped him off.

Sal was only a few steps behind Howell, and he didn’t notice or didn’t care. “Keep it quiet here, all right?”

“Yes, sir,” Jupiter said, hovering by the doorway as he watched them leave. His expression was tense, but Trev didn’t think he’d be in the mood to be offered another massage.