Page 24 of Feast

I shook my head, blowing a mouthful of smoke into the night air. “How much longer do we need to sit out here?”

Spider checked his phone. “Give it another minute or so for shift change, then we should be clear to head inside.” He looked me up and down. “What’s wrong? Don’t like the cold?” I didn’t answer. “Hmm. Well, I gotta say, you actually clean real nice. But come on…a tie? You should lose it. Makes you look like a fucking politician.” He plucked at his own dress shirt, half unbuttoned and laying loosely along his chest. His leather holster and handgun remained on full display as if he had no care if anyone saw it.

“You should be more careful.” I pointed to the holster as his eyes followed.

He adjusted his suit jacket. “You do realize half the men inside are armed, right?”

“Not me. I don’t really like guns.”

Spider took another drag, coughing as he spoke. “Yeah…what’s the deal with that?” he asked. “I mean, Felix can’t take a piss without a gun at his side. But you⁠—”

“Simple.” I opened my suit jacket to show a different sheath; only this one didn’t have a gun, but a large, pitch-black KA-BAR. “Unlike my brother, I actually don’t mind getting my hands dirty.”

He oohed. “Impressive. Though, everyone knows you don’t bring a knife to a gun fight.” I shot him a look. He seemed completely unbothered, just leaning against the exterior wall.

How the fuck is this little prick in charge of the entire Web?

I eyed the notorious spider tattoo along his neck. The one that gave him his name. It branched further along his chest and wove through numerous others across his torso. And the longer I looked at him, the more I realized he was right.

“Fuck it.” I ripped the tie from my neck and ran my fingers through my hair. I pulled a thick pair of glasses from my jacket and slid them onto my face. “I guess you’re right. Even if we are acting as security, no one likes to wear a fucking tie.”

He chuckled to himself. “Facts, bro.”

Yeah, I really can’t wait to beat this fucker’s ass.

The back door of the business shot open as a couple of actual security guards exited. They were dressed just like us, and completely unaware of the fact that we were standing there.

Amateurs.

Spider tossed the roach onto the pavement and coughed. “Alright. You ready?” I didn’t speak and simply brushed past him. “I’ll take that as a yes.” Spider followed behind like my shadow. “Remember, even with those creepy contacts and fake glasses, you still look very much like yourself.”

No shit.

“So do us all a favor, and stay far away from Kief. He’ll clock your ass before you can say your last prayer.”

Buzz.

I stopped and checked my phone, reading the text from Felix.

She’s getting ready to go on stage now. Behave yourself, baby bro.

I shoved the phone back into my jacket pocket.

Fucking Felix.

“Don’t worry.” I turned to look back at Spider. “I know how to stay unseen. Just ask Indi.” I grinned at the peasant memory of stalking her.

Too bad I don't have my mask.

“Besides, I wouldn’t say a prayer even if I was standing on death’s door. I’m not fucking religious.”

He scoffed. “What about your soul? I mean, I’m not exactly religious myself, but are you good with burning in hell for your sins?”

I tried not to laugh at his words. “You speak of sins as if they’re bad, but last I checked, lying, stealing, and committing murder were nothing more than foreplay. And I personally love the hard-on I get when I take a life.” We moved deeper into the strip club and neared the main floor. “Fuck religion. If I die and go to hell, then so be it. I would happily burn in hell for all eternity. I don’t fucking care. As long as Indi is with me.”

“Damn. Your day fucked you three up real good, didn’t he?”

I laughed at his words.