Read Online The Dead Series (Book 2): Dead Is All You Get by Steven Ramirez - Free Book Online Page B

other forces at work.” Then Evie brightened. “So, want to come with me? It’ll be an adventure.”
    Holly and I looked at each other. I wanted so badly to say yes, but I knew how Holly felt. Though we hadn’t entirely given up on solving the mystery of what happened in Tres Marias, we needed to be careful.
    “We just signed on,” I said.
    “What, you’re working for Black Dragon?” Evie said.
    “Yeah,” Holly said. “I’m pregnant, and we really need the money.”
    “I see. I don’t blame you. Hey, no worries. Our paths might cross again.” I could tell Evie was disappointed as she got up from the table. “Stay safe.”
    “You too,” Holly said.
    Evie touched my shoulder. “By the way, an old friend of yours says hi.”
    “Most of my friends are dead.”
    “He said if you ever needed another bullpup, he’s got plenty.”
    “
Guthrie Manson?
Where did you—” But she was already walking away, raising a defiant fist.
    In the early days of the outbreak, Landry’s friend Guthrie had been a lifesaver, equipping us with a lot of powerful weapons. He and his wife, Caramel, and their two grown sons lived deep in the forest. I was relieved to hear they were alive, smoking dope and holding their own against the draggers.
    “I never thought I’d hear that name again,” I said to Holly.
    “I’d love to meet him sometime.”
    “You never know.”
    We watched as Evie left the cafeteria. I wondered what she would find out there. And I knew my curiosity would only grow as the days passed.

    Back at our trailer, we found Griffin sitting on the steps talking to the Latino soldier she’d played cards with when we first arrived. He was leaning against the trailer, and I noticed that he didn’t have a weapon. He was even bigger than I remembered. When Griffin saw us, she got up quickly.
    “Hey, Griffin,” I said.
    “Hi, Dave. Um … You remember Fabian Lopez. Fabian, these are my …”
    “Guardians,” Holly said. “Holly and Dave.”
    “Hey,” he said, extending a hand. “Glad to meet you ‘officially.’ I hope you don’t mind I stopped by. I wanted to say hi to Griffin.”
    “Thought it might be time for another poker lesson?” I said. He didn’t answer. “So … ‘Fabian,’ is it?” I knew damn well what his name was. “How old are you, son?”
    Griffin turned crimson and gave me the stink-eye, but I held my ground, my eyes never leaving Fabian.
    “Nineteen, sir.”
    “Huh. I didn’t know Black Dragon hired so young. I noticed you don’t have a weapon.”
    “I’m an intern. Haven’t earned the right yet.”
    “Would you like to come in for a soda?” Holly said, trying to cut through the arctic chill of my interrogation.
    “Naw, I gotta get back.”
    “Okay, then,” I said.
    “Well, see you, Griffin,” Fabian said and headed off.
    Inside the trailer, Griffin let go the fireworks. “I can’t believe you embarrassed me like that! He was just being friendly!”
    “Oh, yeah,” I said. “I’m sure that’s all it was.”
    “Dave, you don’t have to be so hard on him,” Holly said. “He was pretty polite.”
    “Look, he
is
a nice guy, I’ll admit,” I said. “But he’s
nineteen
, Griffin. You’re fifteen. Am I the only one around here who can do the math?”
    “I hate you,” she said and stormed out of the trailer.
    Holly stood there glaring at me. “What?” I said.
    “Look, I agree he’s a little old. But Griffin’s a young woman, Dave. You need to lighten up. These things are bound to happen.”
    “Not on my watch.”
    She laughed. After the first few seconds, it irritated me. “You’re jealous,” she said.
    “What?” I said, sensing my voice was too high. “No, I’m not!”
    “Yes, you are.”
    “Holly, I hope you’re not suggesting that—”
    “No. Dave, no. But I do think you’re jealous the way a father would be if another guy looked at his daughter the wrong way.”
    “That’s crazy talk. I’m practically a kid myself.”
    “Fine,