Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 141464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
“Yeah,” I answer slowly. “My father was a pastor turned cult leader. The crazier he got, the more women he pulled into his flock. One was this girl Ruth. She’s actually the one who helped me escape. He knocked her up. Married her, I guess. I only met the kid once.”
I blow out an exhausted breath knowing this won’t be the last time I have to share this story.
I lift my gaze and meet Wrath’s curious stare head-on. “When I killed my father and rescued my sister from the sick shit he was doing to her—that’s the only time I ever met Cain. Helped him and his mom get out. She died recently. He showed up wanting to reconnect.”
Uncomfortable silence descends over the table.
Everyone just stares at me.
Serves you right for poking into my business.
“Well, fuck.” Z runs his hands through his hair. “Thanks for the extra context, Jiggy.”
Wrath’s expression turns more thoughtful. “You don’t trust him around your sister?”
“I didn’t protect her from our father when she was little.” I swallow hard, shame slithering down my throat. “Our relationship’s kinda fucked up as it is. I’m not bringing him around her until I know what he’s really here for.”
“You think he blames you? For killing your father?” Rock asks.
How does he just know shit? “He was little. My father didn’t usually start on the real torture until kids were older. All Cain knows is, I showed up, flipped his world upside down, and disappeared with his sister.”
“Didn’t his mom explain what actually happened?” Z asks.
“I’m not sure what she told him. We didn’t get that deep the other night.”
“Where’s he staying now?” Teller asks.
“Some hotel by the airport.” I flick my gaze to Z. “I can’t bring him to the clubhouse until I know I can trust him. Same for my place.” I gesture over my shoulder at Rooster.
“What do you want?” Rock asks. “From him, I mean.”
I open my mouth to say nothing, but the word sticks in my throat.
“Maybe…make things right? If that’s even possible. I don’t know if he plans to stick around. We don’t have much in common. Crystal Ball seemed to scandalize him and,” I grimace, “he rides a fucking Ninja.”
No one laughs. My attempt at deflection crashes and burns.
“He can’t stay in a hotel forever,” Teller says. “How old is he?”
“Seventeen or eighteen.”
“Eighteen this summer,” Z says. “That’s why Malik sent him to me when he tried getting in the front door. Kid didn’t even try to use a fake id.”
“Young to be out on his own,” Wrath says.
“You were on your own earlier than that,” Rock points out. He glances at Teller, then Z. “We all were, more or less.”
“Nah.” Teller shakes his head. “Murphy and I had you to keep us in line.” He jerks his chin at Wrath. “And him to terrorize us into submission.”
“And look how well you turned out,” Wrath says.
“Grinder kept me in check,” Rock says.
I blow out a breath, guilt slamming into my chest harder than I expect. From what Cain said, it doesn’t sound like he has anyone.
“Why don’t you have him move into the apartment Dex was using,” Teller offers. “He’s living with Emily now. The apartment’s furnished.”
I turn and stare at him. “I just said I’m not sure I trust him. What if he burns your entire building down? You got other tenants living there.”
He shrugs, clearly not taking the threat seriously. “It has a sprinkler system.”
“What if he trashes the place?”
“I’ve got insurance. Things can be repaired. Besides, it puts him closer to Margot’s place, so you can keep an eye on him…” His voice trails off, like he’s silently asking if Margot and I are even still a thing.
“Yeah… I guess that might be easier.”
“I can hook him up with a job at Sully’s gym,” Wrath offers. “He could practically walk to work.”
“I can’t ask Sully to do that,” I protest. “I just told you I don’t know a damn thing about the kid.”
“I’ll pass that along to Sully and let him make up his own mind,” Wrath says in a slow, patient tone. “Jake mentioned they’re short-handed since Grinder left. Sully can’t find anyone who lasts more than a week. If your brother flakes, no harm done. If he sticks around, great.”
I shake my head again, already trying to put distance between me and the idea. “I don’t know…”
“Talk to Cain and find out what his plans are.” Wrath slaps the table like he’s finally wrapping up my interrogation. “Let me know.”
It really is a generous offer. I need to show my brothers more respect. They could’ve said “good luck with the reunion” and gone about their business.
“Thanks.” I nod at Wrath, then Teller. “I appreciate it. Really.”
Finally, I’m dismissed.
Rooster follows me out while the others stay behind and close the door. Loud voices echo from the dining room, and the scent of bacon wafts through the air, but the living room’s empty for now.