Pannel & Hook

Chapter 21: Family Ties

POV KIMI

10 Minutes Earlier...

"So...What did ya wanna talk about?". She's cute in this nice dress and all but I could totally beat her ass.
"Wanna tell me what deal it was to become a Captain in my brother's merry band of men?".       Her voice was soft and admittedly gorgeous but her whole attitude went against the way she held herself.
"Before you answer, also tell me if getting with Petey was a part of it and why you're actually with him".
"Honestly, it's none of your business even if you are a Captain but you're not mine. I'm with Pete because I finally found a decent guy that wants me for me and doesn't just wanna play with my feels and fuck with me".
"Alright, that's understandable but despite how you got to be a Captain that doesn't change the fact that he's under you...In more ways than one judging by how happy he is".
"We haven't...anyways, that doesn't matter, I run my squad just fine even with him in it".
She's starting to piss me the fuck off.
"Alright alright, but if it came down to it, if had to you choose to protect the gang over protecting him...which would you choose?".
"Are you fucking serious? What would you?".
Nessa smiled and downed a pocket-sized bottle of fireball before two words left her lips.
"Without question...it's easier to love him to death than from a cell waiting from 10 to 25".
Okay, this bitch is fucking crazy and just my luck, I don't have my piece.
"I know he's your brother but this foo mine and I already took a bullet for him without thinking about myself not even complaining once after. You'd probably throw everyone under the bus just to save yourself but I'll burn this shit to the ground so that dumbass stays free and remotely happy".

Kimi, Kimi...Katalina!

"Mande?". I'd forgotten we were driving through the hills. "Wait, what did you call me?".

"Umm...I'm sorry". Shit, I scared him.
"No, no it's okay love".
"Okie but we're in the hills and we're driving a little too fast given the sharp turns here".
Shit, he's right, I eased my foot off the gas after I saw the speedometer and noticed his hand squeezing the armrest.
"How do you...?". He cut in before I could finish. "Know your name?". I take my eyes off the road for a sec to see his face and give a nod.
"A while ago, after Nate rescued me from the Salt gang, this girl who looked around Nate's age came to the house cursing at him and pulled a piece then went on talking bout how Nate found her sister and didn't tell her except for when she got shot...which wasn't too hard to figure out from there".
"Fucking Angelica". My fists gripped the wheel with frustration till I felt a soft yet strong grip on my thigh.
"It's okay, I know you had your reasons". Pete said with a smile that felt the most genuine I've seen even though he mostly smiles when he's around me as opposed to when he's alone or talking to people he's not close to.
"It's complicated and it had nothing to do with you in a bad way, It's just...after my mother died. Our dad was always at work, Damien was obsessed with your brother, and Angelica wrapped herself inside her own head. I just had to get out...and that's where I found you".
I glanced at my phone to see if we were close but immediately turned red when I heard. "Y'know, you're really cute when you smile".
Fuck, I was not expecting that. "Umm...we need gas".
I laughed nervously to myself and could feel myself turn redder as he tightened his grip and rubbed his thumb against my thigh.
We got to a gas station that looked to be somewhat cheap that was close to Nate's location.
As I got out, I could see he was rubbing his arms to keep himself warm in that thin T-shirt he was wearing.
"You cold babe?". He simply smiled and shook his head no, which was an obvious lie, so I reached in the back and gave him the red jacket meant for Nate just until we found him.
"Fill it for me please luv, I'm gonna go in and pay and get a few things, okay?".
When I opened the door, I could hear the bell toll above me as I made my way to the snacks and then the booze, taking some small bottles and stuffing them in my bra and carrying the others in my basket.
"45 on pump one please?". Unsurprisingly, I wasn't carded, which I either look older than I am or he simply doesn't care.
As I handed him a 50, the clerk gave me my change while my heart dropped then began beating like a drum as I saw a flash of red and blue lights and Pete being dragged into the back of a uniform's ride.
"FUCK".