44. Hi Daddy!

Chapter 44 Author POV Rick struck a match, the flare lighting the sharp angles of his face as he touched it to the cigarette clamped between his teeth. Smoke curled up slow and lazy, he turned his head, eyes narrowing on Lian standing a few feet away, hands clasped behind his back like a soldier waiting for inspection. “You really mean that?” Rick asked, voice low, the words riding the smoke. Lian shifted his weight. “I just asked a question, boss.” Rick took a long drag, held it, let it roll out through his nose. “Yeah, and I heard it. You almost died. Thank God you didn’t.” He chuckled, soft and mean. “Would’ve been better if the whole lot of you dropped dead, wouldn’t it?” Lian’s jaw tightened. He glared for half a second, then dropped his eyes to the floor before Rick caught it. Rick flicked ash onto the concrete. “You got any idea who pulled the trigger?” “Word is it’s Lucas,” Lian said. “But I don’t know the man. I just got here.” Rick moved fast, closing the space between them i