Page 41 of Property of Yak

Me

Aw, it sounds like you care about me.

I watch her through the camera as she rolls her eyes, making me laugh.

Angel

I’m just trying to make sure you fly under the radar. That’s what you wanted, right?

A knock on the door to my room has me tensing.

Yooper shouts from the other side, “Shipment’s rolling through the gate. It’s time.”

“I’ll be right out,” I tell him.

Quickly, I send her another text.

Me

I appreciate it. I’m going to be out of pocket for the rest of the night, but if you message me, I’ll get back with you as soon as I can.

Angel

Okay, stay safe.

Her concern warms me in a way I can’t exactly explain. I don’t remember the last time someone cared about what happened to me.

Me

Will do.

Before she can reply, I shove my phone into my pocket and leave my room.

“Everything okay?” Yooper asks quietly when he sees me.

“Yeah, everything’s good.” We leave the clubhouse and make our way over to the barn right as the box truck pulls in.

“Heads up. There’s a party this weekend, and you need to prep your girl. She’s going to be expected to act like an old lady,” he murmurs.

Fuck. I knew this was coming. I had just hoped we would have more time. That I could maybe figure all this shit out before Julie was forced to come back here.

“Okay,” I tell him, my mind racing a million miles a minute.

“It will be fine,” he says, sounding like he’s trying to convince us both.

Yooper and I head inside and move floorboards in the barn, revealing an underground lift.

“What’s up, motherfuckers?” Poutine asks as he jumps out of the truck.

Aragon gets out of the driver’s seat and is glaring.

“Do you ever shut up?” Aragon snaps at him.

“Hey, no reason to take your bad mood out on me,” Poutine says, holding up his hands in surrender.

Sap rolls his eyes as he comes into view and immediately opens the back of the truck. Together, Poutine, Sap, and Yukon begin getting the crate out of the truck.

“How did it go?” Yooper asks Aragon.