Read End Game for Free Online Page B

her about us—”
    “I told you. She acted like she had no fucking idea who we were. I even dropped your name. No reaction.”
    Vince gives Jack a worried look. “That’s weird.”
    I shrug. “Whatever. We’ll find out when I see her.” Suddenly amongst them, I feel a strong desire to return to my apartment. To be alone. “Is that all, then?”
    Jack’s pinched face turns to me and he jerks his head, motioning for outside. I can feel the rest of the guys’ eyes on me as I turn my back. I know that they’re probably talking about me already, but can’t bring myself to care. My eyes squint in the sunshine as we walk outside and Jack motions towards the patio table with two chairs.
    Fuck.
    “Sit down.”
    I sit down and look straight into his watery eyes.
    He’s not a very impressive figure, but somehow he always manages to look larger than life. He leans across the table, taking more than half the space. “Joe, I need you to put your grief behind you.”
    A small spark of anger sizzles inside me as I stare at his lined face. What would he know about this kind of loss? “I have.”
    “No, you fucking haven’t. It’s all over your face. You’re moping all the goddamn time, and I’m sick of it.”
    “All due respect, Jack, I do not mope. Do you see me crying? No. I’m dealing with it like a man, but she’s my sister. We were very close.”
    Isn’t that what this whole fucking thing is about? Family? How could this piece of shit look me in the eye and tell me that I’m grieving too much?
    “She was your sister. She’s gone.”
    My jaw twitches. The callousness in his voice lights that desire inside me to strike back. Don ’ t scream at him. He ’ s the boss. He ’ s the boss.
    “Go out with the guys. Have a drink. Fuck around. Do whatever it takes to get this out of your system. I want the old Joey back.”
    The tremble in his voice makes me look up at him. I know he wants me to be better, but I can’t just flip a switch for myself.
    I can’t fucking go back.
    “I know it’s not what you want to hear, but I’ll never be the same man again.”
    “Why are you fucking doing this to yourself?” He slams his hand on the table, but the vibration doesn’t even make me flinch. “You’re not just some soldier in the family, Joe. I made you captain because I believed in you. And you fucked it all up.”
    I’ll never be able to live that down. “It was just that one time.”
    “Still, you walk around like you don’t give a shit about anything anymore. Frankly, you seem like you’re cracking up. You’re one of those guys who wants to get caught.”
    Heat rises in my chest and something else, something that makes my palms sweat. “That’s quite a leap. I do not want to get caught.”
    “Yeah, well, you better prove to me that you’re willing to put in everything you’ve got into this family. This is not a fucking part-time job. The moment you were made, you signed up for life. You can’t slack off or quit, or I’ll find someone else to do your job.”
    My vision slows down and shrinks into a tunnel, where all I can see is Jack’s face. I swallow hard.
    I ’ ll get rid of you if you don ’ t smarten up.
    Basically, that’s what he’s telling me right now. He doesn’t trust me and I’m on thin ice. This is what my behavior these last few months has cost me.
    I don’t want to die.
    The thought slams into me with the force of a wrecking ball. Despite wishing I were dead every morning, when confronted with the actual possibility of real death I feel suddenly—
    Afraid.
    I clench my fists and the nails bite into my palms. “I know what I signed up for, and I’ll get the job done. I promise.”
    Jack’s unrelenting stare softens slightly as he leans forward and claps my shoulder. “You’re a good kid, Joey. Just go see Marisa as soon as possible and call me with a report.”
    I stand to my feet a little shakily, prepared to sprint to the casino if that’s what it takes to keep him