“What is it you think you can do?”
Silence is my answer.
“Exactly, you stay out of this until it’s time.”
“You’re living in fucking France, alone. You think that’s smart?”
“What is it you want me to do?”
He doesn’t hesitate. “Take me with you.”
“Not a fucking chance. You know why I’m there, so there’s no point in arguing about it. We need to focus on what’s important, and right now, that’s money.”
Dom breaks our gaze, his eyes drifting back to the fire. “I have an idea, but you aren’t going to like it.”
I didn’t and still don’t, which is why I refused to let him jeopardize himself in any way before his time. I want him as far away as possible from what I’m trying to accomplish here in France.
“I’m tied up with something I don’t want to discuss now.” Gripping my backpack tightly to me, I crane my neck, keeping my phone cradled to my ear as music bursts from an opening door. “Can we argue about this later? I’ve got somewhere to be. I just wanted to check in.”
“Whatever.” There’s a dejection in his tone, and I know it’s not only about me missing my flight. I’ve maintained my promise to fly back every six weeks up until now, but things are starting to move in the direction I need them to, and I can’t afford to waste more time, literally. The trips are only getting more expensive. “What’s going on?”
“Forget it. I guess I’ll see you whenever.”
“Dom, I don’t have the patience to coax it gently from you, out with it.”
“We’re fucking broke.”
Pausing my walk, I run a hand down my face. The last time I was in Triple Falls, I taught them how to ‘borrow’ what they needed from those who’d gained their standing by playing and taking from others less fortunate. It was a code I invented shortly after my run-in with the knife-wielding thief last year. They’d run with it, and Dom being Dom, had thought of a few ideas of his own on how to increase our take.
“It’s time to make some changes.”
By changes, he means it’s time to incriminate himself in a way that can’t be reversed if he’s caught. My lesson in petty theft turned into me getting schooled by my younger brother on more efficient ways to get fast cash. It was both amazing and terrifying to find out just how much he knows bordering fifteen years old.
“I’ll figure something out,” I offer.
“No time for that, either.” His tone is grave, but he’s still young and becoming more arrogant by the day, especially with his innate knowledge of all the technological advances.
“If you fuck up—”
“Have some faith, brother.” The excitement in his voice is more alarming than anything. But the fact that he’s been waiting for the green light from me has to be enough. I have to trust him. I have to trust them all to carry the weight until I accomplish what I set out to do here.
“Do it. And Dom, don’t fucking think I won’t snatch the toy from your hands if you get stupid with it.”
“As if you could. I’m outgrowing you.”
“Maybe so,” I say with pride, “but let’s not forget the rules.”
“I’ll hit you up when it’s done.”
“You do that and keep your fucking nose clean otherwise.”
“Trust me, brother.”
“I do.”
We end the call, and I turn the corner, leaving room for a guy standing on the edge of the alley.