Page 97 of The First Cut

“That’s a good thing?” I frown, confused.

“It’s a great thing. It’s a great room, Hannibal. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome, Millie. Now what do you say we see how much of our crap we can move in before Lola wakes up?”

She grins. “Let’s do it.”

I pull my cell from my pocket and call Pan, one of the prospects.

“Hey, Prez, whatcha need?”

“Grab the truck and haul it to Lola’s. And bring whoever else is free.”

“Okay.”

“Tell them we’re moving into Khan’s old place.”

“Today?”

“Right now, Pan.” I hang up. “Let’s go tell Chris he can fuck off.”

We meet Pan at Lola’s with Tracey and May. Not exactly who I was hoping for, but I’ll take it.

“Mud, Repo, and Sev are on their way over, too.”

“Good. This won’t take long. We don’t have much stuff between us.”

“Sounds like a good excuse to go shopping.” May winks at Millie, who dips her head and grins shyly.

“Alright, why don’t you three head upstairs and pack up Millie’s shit first, then Lola’s?”

“Yes, Prez,” Tracey answers before the three of them hurry upstairs.

I turn to Pan. “There’s some flat packed boxes in the garage. Put them together and box up the kitchen shit.”

He nods and heads out to the garage. When the others arrive, I point them to what I need them to take and stand back while they load up the truck.

My cell rings as I watch Mud pack Lola’s books in a box and see it’s Havoc. “Don’t tell me Probe took a turn for the worse. I only spoke to him a few days ago.”

“He’s fine. Driving everyone fucking nuts as usual.”

“Alright, so what’s up?”

“I’m coming up for a visit.”

“Now? Why?” I tense and walk out to the laundry room. “Is Driller awake?”

“No. He’s still in a coma, and if he does fucking wake up, it won’t be for long. I’m coming up because I need to talk to Lola.”

I pause. “And what exactly do you need to talk to my old lady about?”

“That’s between me and Lola, Hannibal.”

“That’s where you’re very fucking wrong. I get that you two have a history, but she’s mine and I don’t like it when you upset her.”

He sighs. “Look, it’s important. I’m not gonna hurt her, Hannibal. I just need to talk to her about something Driller said to Nevaeh.”

I squeeze the phone so hard it cracks. “Fine, but I’ll be right fucking beside her when you talk to her.”