This is not what I expected. I figure he would want to take control of the drug trade that runs through Jamaica.

My brother picks up his pack of cigarettes from the wooden table, flips open his Zippo, strikes, and slams the lighter back down. He hotboxes and stubs it out, the entire time he doesn’t speak a word. There is not one single expression on his face; I imagine he is in thought.

“We’re not in the drug trade, brothers. We have our small customers, and that’s the way we’ll keep it. We have enough bullshit. We’re not gonna deal with more than we got to,” he says while he grabs his gavel. “We’ll leave at 11:30.” He slams it down.

No lockdown for the family, but if we don’t do this right, we could put them in danger once again.

I’ll let Piper sleep, and I guess I will have to talk to her tomorrow. Make sure she stays more alert when she leaves the compound.

Guess I’ll go lay in my bed and get so high that I pass the fuck out cold.

***

Chapter Five

Piper

I am in the kitchen about to pour some coffee when Sniper comes downstairs, whistles, and nods his head towards the courtyard door for me to follow him. My face contorts in confusion. I thought we took care of everything we had to fix last night. Or was it my imagination? I shake my head out of my thoughts, pick up the pot, pour some coffee, and walk across the cold tile of the kitchen floor with my bare feet. I always forget to wear my slippers in the morning, and I regret it every damn time.

I push open the door and shield my eyes with my free hand as the morning sun beats down on my face.

“I couldn’t even drink my coffee first,” I say teasingly. “I was under the impression we fixed us last night. Am I wrong?”

Sniper huffs, sits down on top of the picnic table, and props his large, boot-clad feet on the bench. “Naww, babe, we’re good. Something else I gotta talk with you about.”

I shut the door, sip my hot coffee, and move over towards the wall to try to block the rays. “So whatcha wanna talk about?”

He jumps up, unhooks his sunglasses from his cut while he walks towards me, and places them on my face. “Better?”

Damn his thoughtfulness. “Yeah.”

He nods, studies me, and then takes my coffee from my hands. “I shoulda got me some.”

You bet your ass he should have got his own cup. I can’t function without my morning caffeine.

“Talk, Sniper. You drag my tired ass out here to steal my energy. What’s up?”

He takes another small sip and hands it back to me. I don’t remove my gaze from his eyes. He appears troubled, and Sniper is never, ever troubled.

“Club business. Carry your gun with you, and have the safety off if you leave the compound.”

Oh boy. “Why…”

He said nothing about lockdown, so I imagine whatever it is, it isn’t that bad, or else he wouldn’t even give me the option to leave the premises.

“Dammit, Pipe! You know I can’t tell you,” he yells. His hands fly to his head so he can fist his hair. “It pisses me off how you still try to question shit. I’m askin’ ya nicely to carry your fuckin’ gun when you leave the compound. That should be enough of an explanation for you.” He kicks at the wall beside me.

I do know better, so now the guilt eats at me as I walk over to the table and set my cup down. “I’m sorry. I’ll do as you ask.”

Sniper faces away from me and grumbles under his breath. I haven’t seen him this anxious in a long time. It is a little unnerving. The man is a trained sniper, for fuck's sake. I walk over, wrap my arms around him, and lace my hands together in the front so he can’t move away from me. “I’ll try not to question you when I know it has to do with club business. I know you’re worried about my safety. I’m a stubborn bitch, what can I say.”

His body shakes against mine and his voice spits a venomous tone. “I care about you, and I would fuckin’ murder the entire fuckin’ town if somethin’ happened to you, Pipe.”

Good grief, nothing is going to happen to me. What is his deal? I unlace my hands and move around to his front, standing on my tippy toes so I am at least near his height. “You’re still beatin’ yourself up about yesterday. Don’t say you ain’t, because I know you are.”

He groans under his breath and tries to turn his face away from mine.

“Stop it!” I reach up and jerk his chin forward. “Would you like me to stay on the compound? At least until whatever the hell is goin’ on is taken care of?” Please say no, please fucking say no.

“Hell no!” he roars as he jerks out of my hold. “I’m not fuckin’ trappin’ ya here more than I have to.”

I glare at him confused. This behavior isn’t Sniper. He’s never conflicted about anything.

“Fuckin’ carry your gun! That’s all I fuckin’ ask!” he screams at me as he stomps over to the door, flings it open, and disappears.

Okay. That was weird. I pull my phone out of my pocket and check the time. It’s early, but not too early, so Winter should be up. I need to get some advice on his behavior and attitude. She’s known him a little longer, and even with the amazing connection and friendship between Sniper and me, this area is not one I’m familiar with, with him.

I trudge my way inside, quietly shut the door behind me, and make my way upstairs to Winter and Braxxon’s floor. Her apartment door is open, and she’s laying on her bed reading on her Kindle. Great. Braxx is gone so it will be easier to talk with her.