Page 69 of All That Glitters

He stops, but Kruger is frowning at him. “And what?”

Crane swallows. “Fear. Hannibal mentioned it before, back before everything went down with Snake. We all put her quittingdown to what happened with Snake and Bear, but for some reason, I think it’s something else. Something more.”

“Anyone try talking to her about it?”

“G, I think, but she tells him to mind his own damn business in that polite-as-shit way of hers that makes you feel like you’re getting scolded by a teacher.” Probe shakes his head.

I grin, knowing exactly what he’s talking about.

“What are you doing here anyway? Shouldn’t you be at Au?”

“I’m on my own, so I shut the place for lunch before my stomach tries to eat itself.”

Kruger snorts as the waitress, whose name I can’t remember, steps up beside the table.

“What can I get you, sugar?”

“I’ll take a burger with everything except onions.”

“You got it. You want fries with that?”

“Yeah, and onion rings too. And bring me a large Dr. Pepper.”

“No problem. I’ll return with your drink. The food won’t be long. Do you guys need anything else?” she asks Kruger and Crane.

“Nah, I’m good,” Crane replies.

“Same.” Kruger nods, keeping his head ducked out of habit. Most people here are pretty cool, but some tend to have a very visual reaction to Kruger’s scars. I barely notice them anymore. Unfortunately, that’s not something the man himself will ever say.

The guys are done by the time my food arrives, so I wave them off and dig in. Once finished, I toss a tip on the table and head back out. A couple of people are waiting outside Au, so I don’t waste time. I open the doors, let them in, and spend the next few hours rushing. By closing time, I’m dead on my feet and in serious need of sleep, but that’s not in the cards right now. I text Circus to let him know I’m done, then close shit down.

I head to my office and dig around in the bottom drawer until I find the license plates I’m looking for. I bring up the security cameras and deactivate the ones in the back lot and those facing the main road before shutting down the computer for the night. I take the plates with me and lock up. I change out the truck’s plates and put the original plates in the glove box before walking back to my bike. I ride around to the front of the building and wait for Circus. He arrives ten minutes later but doesn’t stop. Instead, he waves for me to follow, so that’s what I do.

We ride for a couple of hours before we stop for food. For once, we just have a normal fucking conversation without anyone bringing up Legs. Maybe they’re starting to realize that I can’t get over a woman if they won’t let me forget her. Shame it’s come a day too late. I’ve come to a realization of my own, one I’m having trouble getting my head around.

Seeing Legs last night made me accept that there is no living without her. Hell, I’ve been trying, that’s all I’ve been doing, but she’s in my fucking bones. I smell her on my skin and wake up with the taste of her on my tongue, and I don’t know if it’s a memory or if I’m stalking her in my dreams, too.

“Midas?” I jolt at the sound of Circus’s voice. I’ve drifted off again.

“Sorry, man, I slept like shit last night. I can hear my bed calling me.”

He chuckles, tossing his napkin on the table. “Nah, it’s cool. Are you coming back to the compound, then?”

I shake my head. “Gonna stay at the apartment above the shop tonight. I have a customer coming in at the ass-crack of dawn that wants something appraised. If I stay there, I don’t have to get up so fucking early.” The lie slips off my tongue with ease, just like all the others have lately.

“Makes sense. You’re coming to the fight on Friday, though, right?”

“Yeah. I owe G a round in the ring anyway.”

“Oh shit, what did you do to piss him off? G only fights when he’s in a mood.”

“I exist. I think that’s enough right now.”

He winces. “He’s still pissed about what went down with Legs, huh?”

“You could say that.”

“I get him feeling a certain way. I won’t lie, man. We all did when we heard what happened, but enough is enough. You’re a brother, and what went on between you and Legs is none of our business. He wouldn’t like it if you got tangled up with him every time he has issues with Amity.”