Page 18

Rex

Pain is fast becoming the only thing I know. Everything hurts, and it’s a struggle to think clearly at this point. Eddie has a penchant for throwing a punch or kicking my legs every chance he gets. Carrot Top is amused by Eddie’s little temper tantrums, so he doesn’t step in unless Eddie doesn’t stop after a couple of strikes.

Savi isn’t here often, but from what I’ve picked up on, the pets, as they call them, are kept in another location. She must divide her time between the two places and relies heavily on Carrot Top to handle this one.

Having blacked out more than once, I’m not sure what day it is anymore. I don’t know if I’ve been here two or five days, and that’s messing with my head. I know the club’s out looking for me, but I don’t even know if I’m still in the Denver area. I could be a few days ride from there for all I know.

“Time to earn your keep,” Carrot Top says as he opens the laptop and taps an overly long fingernail on the screen.

“Haven’t worked out my payment plan with your boss yet,” I reply.

“Things have changed. Your pay is not dying. Somewhere down the road, if you do this job well enough, the boss will discuss payment then. For now, get to work,” Carrot Top states.

He unties my wrists, and I shake them out to get the blood flowing again. Eddie pulls a chair up next to mine and shoots me an evil smirk. He’s going to watch every keystroke and is probably hoping I fuck up so he can go back to being their tech guy. Not a chance, you fucking odd little man, I think as I lay my fingertips on the keyboard.

I try hard to ignore the faces in the pictures as I set up a cataloging system. It’s not hard, just tedious and disconcerting knowing what the pictures are used for.

“I know how to do all this stuff,” Eddie states.

“Then why do they need me?” I ask since Carrot Top’s went upstairs for now, and it’s just the two of us.

“I made one little mistake. That’s it. Just one. I got beat that night and couldn’t work for a few days. Boss decided to find a replacement.”

“How’d she know what I do?” I question.

“Asked some business associates. One mentioned you because you did work for him before. He’s here in Denver too. In fact, this is an older rental home of his. He’s the reason we’re here for now. He got us set up so we could operate without causing suspicion. He owns most of the older homes in this hood. Heading to San Diego next week, though,” Eddie explains, and I smile at what a little gold mine he’s become.

After I complete the catalog, I dive into the dark web since Eddie connected the laptop to the internet. I start creating a website, and even though I know it’ll not be used for the purpose they need it for, it turns my stomach a little.

Carrot Top brings down another bag from a local restaurant, and Eddie and I eat as I’m working. When Eddie starts a conversation with Carrot Top, I quickly copy the pet file and send it to Pigeon’s email. Closing that window in the nick of time, I ignore Eddie’s odd smile when he glances at my screen.

I continue working on the website, taking advantage of every second Eddie’s eyes aren’t watching, and feel good at what I accomplish. After several hours, Carrot Top calls it quits for the day and removes the laptop, taking it upstairs with him and Eddie. Now, my hope is that Pigeon understands what I sent him and how to use it. Hands retied to the chair, there’s nothing to do but sit here and think.

Aria, of course, is the thought that keeps me positive. My situation is serious, no promise of tomorrow, but I refuse to dwell on that. Instead, I say a small prayer for Marti and hope she knew how valued she was at the office. She wasn’t there long, but she was one of ours, and I’m going to miss her.

I frown when I hear the stairway door open and the lights flick on. I curse silently, assuming Eddie found some trace of what I was doing on the laptop, but disregard that thought instantly. He’s good, but he’s not that good.

When Gary and Dave come into view, I understand the meaning of this visit. Knowing they’re here for payback, I grin at their obvious injuries. I probably look worse than them, but they had the advantage of numbers. I didn’t. Seeing my grin, their faces start glowering at me.

“What’s up, gentleman?” I ask in a cheerful tone.

“Fuck you, you fucking geek,” Dave says before swinging at my head.

The chair tips sideways, and I crash to the cement. Shaking my head, I try to clear my vision.

“Geek that kicked your asses,” I say in the same tone as before.

“Set him up. I’m not done with him yet,” Dave orders.

I jerk my body as much as I can just to make it harder on Gary, who’s trying to get the chair and me upright. I do well enough that Dave has to help because Gary’s out of breath already. Hmmm. Someone must have ribs that hurt as bad as mine. I give myself a mental fist-bump, then wait for the next blow. It doesn’t take long, and I’m tipped over backward on the chair. This becomes our pattern until I blissfully sink into the blackness of oblivion.