Three Nights Later

Scott delved into a huge helping of savory hamburger and cheese macaroni when his doorbell rang. “Shit.”

Even though it were a longshot, he wished it was Rachel yet found Stone staring back at him through the peephole.

Scott answered the door. “Get out of here.”

“Hold on, man.” Stone raised his hands, skullcap crooked. “I need your help.”

“You don’t need shit from me. I’m done with you and Rachel. I don’t care what happens.” He tried to close the door but Stone stuck his sneaker against it.

“You don’t understand. Rachel’s been—”

“I don’t want to hear it.” Scott shoved him. “I don’t care about Rachel or you—”

“Scott.” Stone grabbed him. “Rachel’s been kidnapped.”

“What?”

“Fusco’s people got her, and they’re gonna kill her if I don’t bring them the money before noon tomorrow.”

“You son of a bitch!” Scott jumped on him, wrapping his arms around his neck. “None of this would’ve happened if it weren’t for you.”

“Stop it, Scott.” Stone ripped Scott’s arms from his neck. “It don’t matter whose fault it is now. We gotta help her.”

“Is she all right?” Scott huffed and puffed, balling fists.

“We had a video call.” Stone nodded. “She’s all right for now but time’s run out and he’ll kill her if I don’t come through.”

“Are you happy now? This happens when you’re dumb enough to steal drugs from a gangster.”

“They want me to meet them in the morning. They’ll let me know where when I confirm I got the money—”

“Fuck the morning.” Scott got out his cell phone.

“What are you doing?” Stone took it. “You trying to call your brother?”

“Give me my phone.”

“You do that and Rachel is dead for sure. You cannot call the police. We got to handle it ourselves, and I need to get that money.”

“You mean you don’t have a plan yet?” Scott snatched his phone back. “What the fuck you been doing?”

“I’ll get it tonight.” Stone swallowed. “You can bet your ass.”

“You mean rob someone? No way. I won’t let you hurt anyone else.”

“I don’t give a damn about nobody but Rachel.” Stone’s jaws expanded with air. “And, if that means I got to hurt someone to keep her safe—”

“Then you do it alone.”

“I can’t do it alone.”

“Then we do it the right way,” Scott said. “I’ll see what I can come up with, and we’ll go get her together.”

“How are you gonna come up with something? I know you don’t have seven hundred grand on you.”

“No, but I might can get enough to get Fusco to lay off.” Scott bit his lip. “It’s a longshot but I’ve got to try.”

“Thank you.” Stone hugged him, smelling of musk and corn chips.

“Get off me.” Scott pushed his arms away. “I’m doing this because I promised Rachel I wouldn’t let nothing happen to her. Even though she lied, I won’t go back on my word.”

“You’re a good man.” Stone nodded with tight lips. “Got a lot of honor.”

“A lot more than you that’s for sure.”

Stone grimaced, getting his phone out. “What’s your number?”

They put each other’s numbers in their phones.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Stone hopped off the porch, stopping before he reached the driveway. “Are you religious?”

“No.” Scott exhaled, leaning on the door. “But, I’ll pray anyway.”

Stone flashed a half-smile and ran into the darkness.

* * *

Bobby spewed cornflakes across his kitchen table the next morning. “What did you say?”

“I need that twenty-five thousand dollars in your savings.” Scott sat at the corner of the table, leg shaking. “And, please don’t ask why.”

Bobby wiped milk and cereal mush off his undershirt. “I’m gonna just hand you twenty-five grand for no reason?”

“Yes.”

“Because you’re my brother, right?”

“Because I need it.” Scott slid the cereal box out his way. “Why is everything a big deal with you?”

“It’s not like you’re asking me to let the cat out while you’re on vacation, Scott.” Bobby scratched through his hair, which stood over his head the same as Scott’s without Bobby’s daily regime of mousse and gel treatment. “That’s my savings. What if there’s an emergency?” He pushed his bowl away, wasting milk on the table. “I could get hurt or shot and can’t work.”

“I need that money.”

“Is this about Rach—”

“Give me the goddamn money, Bobby.” Scott stood, pressing his hands into the table. “We can go to the bank before you go to work.”

Bobby stood, touching Scott’s forehead. “We’d better get you to the hospital or maybe we should make a police report to find out what happened to your mind because you’ve lost it.”

“I’m not joking.”

“First you say you need my savings. Then you won’t tell me what it’s for and you have to have it right now?” Bobby raised his eyebrows. “What in hell makes you think I’m going along with this?”

“Why can’t you just be my damn brother?” Scott kicked the chair and walked to the doorway. “Is that so much to ask?”

“It’s funny you want to be brothers when you want me to do stuff for you.” Bobby dug his boxer shorts from between his legs. “I’m not your slave, Scott, and I’m tired of you making me feel guilty because of how Dad treated you. Grow the fuck up and be a man.”

“Forget it.” Scott flashed his palm to him. “Have a good day at work, big brother.”

He stormed out.