Page 55 of Depraved

I took a long, deep drag from my cigarette, letting the smoke linger inside my chest, practically feeling the nicotine cling to my lungs.

Neon passed us carrying a tray of beer. I grabbed one. “Pack your stuff.”

Neon’s eyes pulled into slits. “Here’s a question. Why?”

“You’ll be going with Alyx to the safe house.”

“Ha. Ha. Funny. You almost had me there for a second.”

“Does it look like I’m making a motherfucking joke?”

Neon paused, blue irises studying me for a moment before narrowing her eyes. A groan rolled over her lips. “Come on, Granite. You know I hate that place. It’s in the middle of fucking nowhere. I’ll be bored out of my mind.”

I chugged down the beer then placed the empty bottle down on the tray she was still holding. “You girls can paint your nails, braid each other’s hair, or do whatever the fuck it is girls do.”

“Are you serious?” She scowled. “Do I look like the type who wants to sit around and swap out beauty tips all fucking day?”

“Neon,” I said, deadpan, “go pack your shit. You’re going with.”

“Fuck me,” she muttered, pulling her hand through her blue hair before pinning her glare on Onyx. “This is all your fault, you know?”

Onyx’s hand flew up to his chest, eyebrows raised. “What the fuck did I do?”

“You made her dance.”

“Bullshit. You were the one up her ass about her eating habits.”

Neon leaned closer. “Yeah, well…you could have stopped me.”

“I fucking tried.”

“Next time, try harder.” Neon turned on her heel and stomped off in the other direction. Dutch laughed, and I was slightly amused. Just slightly.

Ink joined us, his eyes finding Neon first. I often wondered if he really did like her, or whether the fact that she was one of the only girls in town who didn’t want his dick fucked with his head.

He turned his attention to the rest of us. “Everyone suited up and packing?” His way of asking if we had enough ammo to go start World War Three.

Everyone nodded, then he looked at me. “Who will be riding with the girl?”

“Dutch and Ink,” I answered simply.

Dutch straightened. “No fucking way, man. I’m riding with you. Let Onyx go with them.”

“Onyx can ride with me. I want my enforcer with Alyx.”

“Granite, as your enforcer, my place is next to you.”

“Don’t fight me on this, Dutch.” I gave him a look of warning.

Onyx crossed his arms, a taunting smirk on his face. “What’s the matter, brother? You don’t trust me with her?”

I clenched my jaw, biting my tongue while choosing not to look at him. “Don’t push me,” I warned.

“Listen,” he moved closer, “you and I both know there’s not a chance in hell Dutch will let you ride without his protection. Besides, having both our SAA and our enforcer on the same run as the girl would be like putting a giant red bullseye on that van. Everyone will expect heavier security around her.” He shrugged. “Assuming they’re convinced we have her.”

“He’s right,” Ink chimed in. “Onyx and I will take a few other guys and ride with the girls. You and Dutch go with the decoy. You have to take Manic, as he’s the road captain. It would look suspicious if you went on a run without him.”

My fists balled at my sides, hating the idea of Onyx going with her while I couldn’t.