60. Fable

Chapter 60

Fable

I 'm sitting at the dining room table, everyone around us. I'd finally gotten Callie to sleep, but it had taken some melatonin and a long marathon of What Not To Wear reruns. Eventually, she succumbed to the gummies despite her new trauma, and I'd come down to join the discussion.

Everyone has been arguing, but I've just been sitting here. I don't know what to say, don't know what could even be said, but this is exactly what they'd feared.

"The Crows know who you are now. They know you're involved," Colt points out. "You can't leave. We have to protect you."

"He'll leave her alone if she leaves," Trent growls.

"You'd risk that with Fable's life?" Rhett demands, his face hard. "Colt is right."

"We need better protections," Gunnar says. "They took over too easily. Callie almost died?—"

"We need more guns?—"

"More guns don't do shit if we're caught unaware!"

Not once have they asked me for my opinion. I've sat here, quietly listening, wondering when they'd think to, but they haven't asked me anything. They'd put me in this mess, played with my heart, and now here we are. I'm involved in gang activities. But they still don't ask for my thoughts.

My mind reels with what I can do to fix this situation. I could leave, but Colt is right. They know who I am. Lennox made it very clear he knows more about me than I'd like, but that's been the case since long before this. I never told them how I ran into him at the Boot Skoot, thinking it didn't mean anything, but I understand now. I'm involved in this mess now.

My mind goes back to their comments about not being able to afford to buy their way out, and my stomach turns.

The shared bank account I have flickers through my mind, the money sitting in it from the settlement. I don't want it, barely want to touch it, but. . .

"Give me his number," I interrupt.

Their argument cuts off abruptly.

"Who?" Rhett asks.

"Lennox."

Rhett's face twists. "Absolutely not."

I stand and level him with my gaze. "You haven't asked me once what I think about all this. I won't have my future decided by the four of you. So either give me his number, or I'll go hunting him down myself."

Respect flashes in Colt's eyes as he glances from me over to Rhett. When Rhett hesitates, Colt scoffs. "Give it to her, beekeeper."

He scowls and pulls out his phone. He unlocks it before tossing it to me. "I hope you know what you're doin', Wild West Barbie."

I do, but if it will work or not. . . that I don't know.

The phone rings twice before he answers. "I'd like to make a deal," I say, cutting him off. "And I insist you listen to what I have to say."