I set up Kyrill as a lookout and pulled my phone out of its hiding place to open the encrypted chat Hunter had set up for me. See, my little stepbro and I had grown real close after I had kicked his old man’s teeth in.
Admittedly, he resented me slightly for taking the opportunity to kill Steven Rhodes from him, but he eventually got over it. After all, I was the one who had put him in contact with the right people to hone his skills.
Hunter was one of those people who succeeded at absolutely everything they set their mind to. These days, he was one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. But he was also an incredibly talented hacker, whose skills my people had nurtured and whose services I had frequently made use of in the past.
When he was drafted, my little brother made it clear he was finished with any shady jobs, and I agreed … mostly.
There was still one thing I needed him for, one favor I was going to cash in. Now, however, it seemed like I was going to have to ask him for another one.
Oh well.
Yo, lil bro.
Phone clutched in my hand, I waited for his response, hoping he wasn’t either entangled in some kind of practice or otherwise his fiancée.
Hunter: You’re lucky I got to practice early. Almost missed me.
I’m always lucky.
Hunter: … said the man sitting behind bars.
Wow.
Hunter: Just pointing out the truth. You good?
You know how they say. Bad people are always good.
Hunter: Do they?
Maybe? I’ve never been good with these proverbs.
How’s my future sister-in-law?
Hunter: She’s fine. Now stop thinking about my fiancée.
Don’t worry, little bro. No reason to think about your girl when I havemy own.
Hunter: Congratulations. What’s his name?
Funny. Haven’t tried anal so far and have zero plans to give it a try while I’m in here.
Hunter: Sucks to be you. 10/10 recommend. You got an imaginary girlfriend then? Should I be worried?
Fuck you.
Nope. But guess what — you’ll get to find out how she looks before I do.
Hunter: Why would I want to look at any other girl than Ella?
I snorted, picturing the disgust on his face. We weren’t related by blood, and yet we were eerily similar in our obsession.
The same reason why I looked into Ella for you when she first appeared.
Hunter: … which I did not ask you to do.
No, but aren’t you glad I did it anyways?
Hunter: …