The Brothers Crunk by William Pauley III Read Free Book Online Page B

the sight of Reynold yelling at a fishing net full of meat. He takes the slab, bows graciously, and then runs like hell down the street, away from them.
     
    “ You know, Pete, I’m beginning to think that I’m the only one who can hear you speak.”
     
    “ Well, if you’re wondering whether I’m real or not, then know that hell yes I am! ” Pete yells. “Furthermore, we can’t go running off to catch Purple just yet. We have to get armed first.”
     
    “ Right. Good thinking. But how are we supposed to do that?”
     
    “ I know some guys. I used to deliver out here years ago, just before I met up with you and Div. They’re not far from here, actually, just a few streets down. It won’t take us no time at all.”
     
    “ Well, it’s about facking time Lady Luck gave us a little peek at her goodies, ain’t it, Petey Boy?!”
     
    “ Yeah,” Pete sighs. “Something like that.”
     

 
     

 
     
    EIGHTEEN
     
    BEFORE THE STORM
     
     
     
    Krebb pushes the pedal to the metal. The speedometer reads 98 as he runs down a locked chain-link fence blocking the entrance to a concrete parking structure. The others follow closely behind him, tires screeching at every turn. They soon reach the top, open to the cherry night sky, but none of them take the time to notice the beauty of it.
     
    T-Dakk lowers the lift from his door and wheels his way to the back of the van. He lifts a panel, located just above the left brake light, and types in a code on the keypad. The side panels of the van release and lift up above the van like a DeLorean, revealing an arsenal of weapons inside.
     
    Vandenboom removes Qoser’s arm from the quiver wrapped around his back and places it inside the van. He replaces it with a crossbow and arrows. Vega arms himself with two katanas and Krebb fingers his KREBBOOM. Gluum doesn’t even bother to hop off her bike; her weapons are her nebula fingers. T-Dakk grabs his laptop case and a bottle of water—breaking and entering always makes him a little thirsty.
     
    “ Are we ready, then?” T-Dakk asks.
     
    The Devils nod and walk back to their vehicles. The cacophony of all five engines roaring sounds like some wild devilish storm pounding its wicked drum over the city.
     
    “ Straight in, boss?” Krebb yells over the thunder.
     
    Vandenboom nods. “Straight in.”
     
    Krebb smiles and gives a two-fingered salute. The Devils stomp on their gas pedals, launching them off the parking structure, into the air, and crashing into the plate glass windows of THE BLITZ.
     

 
     
    NINETEEN
     
    A FRIEND INDEED
     
     
    Reynold bangs his fist three times on the swollen wooden door. The wood is so damp little beads of moisture seep out and dribble down the face of the door.
    “ You sure any one is even ’ere, Pete? The place looks facking condemned,” Reynold asks.
    “ It actually looks better than I remembered.”
    The slow and heavy clop of army-issued steel-toed boots echoes out through the doorway. The door opens. A brutish man with squinty eyes, a large nose, and a severe case of acne stands in the doorway before them. Reynold furrows his brow, as if he is solving some difficult mathematical equation inside his head. The man just stands there staring, not saying a word.
    Reynold clears his throat. “I’m a friend . . . of Pete’s,” he says with a stiff jaw.
    “ So?” the man says, smacking his lips. “I don’t know no Pete.” His voice pierces through the night air like a harpoon.
    “ He said he used to make deliveries for you.”
    The man begins to shut the door in his face, but stops. “Pete? You mean Fat Pete ?”
    Reynold’s eye lights up. “Yes, exactly! Fat Pete! He said that you would be able to help us.”
    “ Help ‘us ’ ? You and your bird?”
    Reynold shakes his head, “No, me and Pete.” He holds up the fish net containing his friend. He smiles.
    “ What the f—” The man grabs Reynold by his collar and yanks him into the house. “So, what is