Page 166 of Fly's Path

“No, but I hope you’ll eventually feel less like you have to. Friendship and love should never be transactional. And I hope one day I make you feel secure enough that you don’t feel the need to.”

My relationships have always been transactional…except with Fly. He always gives. He never asks or demands anything, which makes me want to share more, to give more…to love him more.

Hate Eyes

Vandal

There are just two hours and four minutes until I see Lola again. My brain wants to count down the seconds, but I don’t have time for that.

Carves called. He wants to meet me to discuss business.

The only business I want to discuss with him is how I plan to kill him, but I don’t have that option right now.

Playing nice with him is essential, especially since he’s connected to something way bigger than we thought. Carves isn’t a two-bit dealer creating drugs in one of the science labs.

Today we’re meeting at a park bench outside the library.

Like I ever go here, but Lola does. She loves the library…

What if for our date I take her to the library? My mother was the chair of the library foundation…I still remember the security codes. No one would call on me if they were to go off. My name is on the wall. And so is my picture. I need to take that down while I set it up.

Lola will love it.

It’s the perfect date.

Now, all I need to do is get through this meeting without throttling Carves. That’s easier said than done.

To keep my cover, I sprawl out looking bored with the world…which I am not at all today. A night in the library with my girl is going to require supplies. Lots of supplies.

“Van, that party was such a rush.” Carves slides into the seat next to me.

“That isn’t the word I would use.” Revolting is more like it. “I don’t like surprises, and cops showing up was a surprise.”

“We had it covered. Everyone got away just fine.”

“They knocked on my door like I was some common criminal. That isn’t what I call getting away fine.”

“You weren’t arrested, were you? It was a knock and an apology when they found nothing. I can’t help that some nosy old woman in your building called on us. But don’t worry, we have it covered. Nothing will happen for your next party.”

“How exactly do you have it covered? Because that was a mess, and I don’t do messes. My end-of-year ski trip is coming up. All of my friends from around the world are coming. I need product and a lot of it.” Let’s get this done so that Lola and I can move on to the good parts. The easy parts. “I’m thinking around a million.”

“A million.”

“Like I said, I’m not into this small stuff. I’ll give you one more party to prove you can supply what I need. Otherwise, I’ll take my business elsewhere.”

Carves heard nothing once I said a million dollars, which is exactly what I hoped for. Blind his drug-addled brain and then get the information I need. “You don’t want to go elsewhere. My boss wouldn’t like that.”

“And your boss can’t touch me. So if he wants my business, you’ll play by my rules. I’m sure another cartel will happily take my money and assure my safety.”

“Fine, what do you want?”

“A party pack like last time, but without the light show at the end.”

“The full package?” Carves starts getting twitchy.

“You offered the full package, then left before the fun could happen.” Don’t vomit. “I want it this weekend.”

“Not possible. Maybe I could do next weekend, but this weekend, I’m busy.”