Prisoned - Marni Mann Page 0,2
of Mario’s apartments and deal all the time. That would have been better than living in The Heart with Ma and my sister. But Kyle lived just a few apartments over, and she was in most of my classes, so I stayed.
I just wanted to be close to her.
“You can pay us back when you’re making the big bucks from selling those designs while me and Garin are still here, hustling,” Billy said.
“I won’t be here,” I said. “I’ve got four years left, and then I’m getting the hell out of Atlantic City.”
“Where you going?” Billy asked.
“Vegas. Mario’s been getting me ready to work at their hotel out there. Once I turn eighteen and get my diploma, I’m out.”
Kyle didn’t know it yet, but she was coming with me. So was Billy. There was no way I was leaving them here. Going to Vegas meant more money for all of us, and I could probably get them jobs at the casino.
“Well, I’m going to college,” Kyle said.
Our heads jerked toward her. The kids around here didn’t go to college. Most didn’t make it to their junior year of high school.
“That’s…”
“A big goal to have,” I said, finishing Billy’s sentence.
“I have to try to get a full academic scholarship. Going to college is all I’ve ever wanted. Somehow, I’m going to make it happen.”
I had to talk to Mario and see if he or any of his boys had connections at the colleges around Vegas. Maybe he could get her in. I’d pay for her schooling, and I could make it look like she’d gotten a scholarship. That was the only way she’d take my money and probably the only way I could make sure she came to Vegas.
“If that’s what you want,” I told her, “it’ll happen.”
“It won’t be happening for a while,” she said. “And since summer is still a ways away, maybe I could help you deal down at the boardwalk.” She looked over at Billy. “Or I could help you hustle—”
“Not gonna happen, Kyle,” I said. “I told you, leave the street stuff to us.” I grabbed my money off the floor and shoved it into my pocket. I usually took twenty bucks from whatever I earned each night and bought food with it, and then I saved the rest. But tonight, I was going to spend a little more. “Come on, guys.”
“Where we going?” Billy asked. “I’ve been running all night, and my feet hurt. You’d better not be taking us too far.”
Kyle handed me my jacket, and I slipped it on as I walked to the door.
“It’s not far,” I said.
“Should I grab a sweater or something?”
The worry in Kyle’s voice made me stop in the doorway and turn to face her. The shirt she was wearing underneath, I’d bought for her, and it wasn’t thick enough to keep her warm.
I grabbed a sweatshirt from my closet. “This is warmer than anything you have at home.”
She took off her jacket, put the sweatshirt on over her head, and zipped her jacket over it. She tucked her nose under the front of the sweatshirt. “It smells like you.”
“It’s my favorite. I wear it a lot.”
She pulled her face out and smiled. “I know.”
“Are we gonna talk about your stank ass all night, or are we gonna get going?” Billy barked.
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, come on.”
“Where are you taking us, Garin?” Kyle asked, walking a bit behind me.
We went down the stairs and out my front door, passing Kyle’s and Billy’s apartments on our way out of The Heart. “I’m taking you guys to the diner ’cause we all could use something to eat. Then, we’re going someplace where we can have some fun.”
I’d have to call Mario when we got to the diner. He let me use his indoor pool and hang out in his basement arcade whenever I wanted, but I needed permission to bring my friends. And then I’d have to have a talk with Billy. I’d never brought him to Mario’s before. I was afraid he’d steal something. I needed him to promise that he wouldn’t. Billy wouldn’t break a promise—not to me anyway.
“I’m down for some fun,” Billy said.
I waited for Kyle to say something. When she didn’t, I slowed down, so she could catch up to me.
“What about you?” I asked her.
Her smile was even bigger than it had been in my bedroom even though she was shivering now. “Of course I’m up for it.”
“Good.” I stopped walking, the three