Born & Bred Read Free Page A

wrong. Sure he owed them some money, but he was going to pay them, one of these days.
    In the back of his mind, Danny had always known that life was out to get him. Despite all the talk about God loving them, and all, he knew better. His God stalked the streets looking to mete out punishment when he could and there was nothing anyone could do about that.
    “Always thinking of yourself, Boyle. Didn’t anybody ever teach you to be considerate of other people’s feelings? Like Scully, here. Don’t you think that he might like a walk in the woods?”
    “But it’s still fuckin’ pissin’ down with rain. Maybe we should just go back down and come out another time?” It was a long shot but Danny had to try. If he could just get back to the city, he’d change everything. He’d even start going to Mass again. And he’d go to Confession and clear his slate. He prayed silently into the dark desperation that swirled around him. Maybe, if he prayed hard enough?
    Anto nodded to the Driller who started the car and took the road that led toward the wood. “Ya, maybe you’re right, Boyle. What do you think, Scully? Do you think we should come back on a nicer day?”
    “I didn’t grass anybody. They tried to make me but I just told them a load of shite, ya know? I wouldn’t grass you’se guys. Ya know that, don’t ya? You’se are my mates. I’d never fuck you’se over. You know that, don’t ya?”
    Anto seemed to be thinking about it and nodded when he was done. “Of course we do but we just had to hear it from your own lips. You know that we’re just trying to remind you of what would happen if you did.”
    “I know that Anto, that’s why I’d never fuckin’ grass you, ya know. I’m not mad, ya know?”
    “Ya,” Danny joined in, careful not to implicate himself with his enthusiasm as a rush of forgiveness flowed through the car. He whispered his thanks to the side window and resisted the urge to bless himself.
    “Okay,” Anto turned around and smiled at them both. “But let this be a lesson for you—the both of you’se. We have to stick together. Right?”
    Danny and Scully nodded as they drove off, but the Driller pulled over when they got to the woods. “Well now that we‘ve all kissed and made up, I need to take a leak. Anybody else?”
    “Ya,” Anto agreed. “We’re all cool now. Right Scully? Boyle? No hard feelings? Let’s all get out. We can have a few hits, too, and put the whole fuckin’ thing behind us. I don’t want to smoke-up in the car, in case we get pulled over on the way back.”
    They all got out and stretched in the damp mountain air. Perhaps, Danny wanted to believe, it was all going to be okay; Anto was just sending them a message. He could be like that—very dramatic.
    They stood in a row, pissing up against the boles of trees, careful to stand with the wind behind them. Danny stood next to Scully and had almost relaxed when the Driller stepped up behind them and popped two shots into the back of Scully’s head.
    Scully fell forward, his own piss still dribbling between his fingers. He twitched a few times and then grew still. Anto approached and nudged him with his foot before looking into Danny’s face. “It wasn’t personal, Boyle, ya know that? It’s just business. We have to maintain loyalty. Scully knew that, ya know?”
    Danny didn’t speak and just nodded as he kept one eye on the Driller who still held his gun ready.
    “And now we should commit our dear departed friend to the ground,” Anto continued like he was saddened by what had just happened. “And, when all the fuss has died down, we’ll come back and put up a nice little cross, or something. Scully used to be a good mate; it’s the least he deserves. Did you bring the shovel?” he asked the Driller who was still standing over Scully, ready to shoot again if he moved.
    “No! Fuck-me. I left it in the car. Here,” the Driller held out the gun, cold and hard in the softness of his damp leather