AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Rail,with his crazy eyes, offered to drive me on the back of his bike, and I nearly tripped over my feet at the thought. Thankfully, Grim had me by the scruff of my shirt and tossed me into his car. I reevaluated my relief as I was sandwiched between his dogs again. Their shoulders were like stone, and every time we hit a bump, they’d knock against me and gave me a look asthough I was the cause. One licked his lips, and I prayed they couldn’t smell my fear. My earlier injuries were bad enough. I didn’t need one of them to get pissed.
“I get how bad this looks,” I said quietly, in a desperate need to cut the tension in the car. I felt like I couldn’t breathe.
“Which part, exactly?” Grim kept his attention on my phone. He scrolled through it slowly. “The part where you were with Calli in the last moments of her life, or that you’ve been lying about knowing Brick’s brother all this time?”
“I only just found him,” I reminded him.
He pursed his lips and looked out the window but gave a small nod. “They might be blinded by what’s in front of them right now,” he referenced the Devil’s Reach who were riding all around us, “but it’s not lost on me that up until a few months ago, you never mentioned you knew anything about Brick’s family. Seems pretty convenient, if you ask me. Almost like an ace in your pocket.”
“Like I said, I know how bad it looks, but Grim—” I hesitated as he shot me a warning not to be so informal with him. “Mr. Gates, surely you can see why I’d keep that quiet. Dave wasn’t easy to track down. I moved mountains and pulled favors just to find the guy. I couldn’t bring up the fact I knew him until I had proof. I’ve no credibility with any of you, especially as an ex-convict and with, you know, my association with Cameron.”
“Would you have ever mentioned it if Cameron hadn’t outed that information at the meeting months ago?” I sighed because the truth was no, I’d had no intention of sharing I knew Brick’s brother. “Okay,” he went back to my phone, “so you can see why I’m finding it fucking hard to accept it now.”
I seized up as one of the dogs jammed his hip bone into mine. I swore he did it on purpose.
“I brought you Kurt. He was a longtime friend, someone I considered family. I did it because he was up to no good, andit might hurt Kenna. Do you think that was easy for me?” I swallowed the lump in my throat. I didn’t like showing such vulnerability to him. “I’m walking this Earth alone. Trust me or not, but I’ve shown nothing but respect to you and your family, and that includes Kenna.”
Grim kept scrolling. I wasn’t even sure if he heard me. I sat back in the seat and tucked the emotions he’d stirred up inside me deep down. I knew this moment would be challenging, but I needed the hope that things would smooth out from here on. He put the phone in his pocket, rested his arm on the armrest, and stared out the window. His finger brushed over his lips while he seemed deep in thought.
We pulled off the main street, and when we came to a stop, he locked the doors and shifted his cold gray eyes over to mine. “I want to make something perfectly clear while I have you alone.” The air in my lungs froze. “The only reason you’re not already tied to a cement block at the bottom of the Sultan Sea, with every bone in your body broken, is because of Kenna’s fondness for you.” He leaned forward. “Remember that from here on, because next time I won’t be so kind.” I couldn’t speak. I barely gave a nod but jumped when the locks shot up and the driver opened the door for him. He gave a command, and the dogs followed. I sagged in my seat.
I’d truly stared death in the eye one too many times.
Minnie shot me a death glare as I emerged from the car, and I knew it was now or never.
“He goes by Dave.” I filled Brick in as we stood next to Grim’s town car. I was pleased my voice didn’t give away the fact that I shook from the inside out. “There he is.” I nodded toward the skinny man who walked toward us. “Just be ready.” Minnie had taken Brick’s hand, but as Dave got near, she stepped back slightly. I saw her run her hand down his back as if to say ‘you’ve got this.’
Dave stopped in front of us and looked around. I waved, and he smiled but said nothing.
“Hi,” Brick rubbed the back of his head, “I’m Matt.” Dave just smiled again. “You might not remember, but we share the same old man.” Again, Dave just stood there and listened, but the big smile never changed.
“Does anyone else remember the chicken fromMoana?” Rail muttered, and Tess gave him a smack.
“Don’t be inappropriate.”
“Shit, sorry.” He rubbed his head.
Brick reached into his pocket and pulled out an old photo. He held it up. “This was us as kids.”
Dave studied the picture, and I felt the sweat roll as I caught Trigger’s eyes on me.
Come on, Dave. Look alive.
“Family.” Dave squinted at the photo, and Brick let out a relieved chuckle.
“Right,” he pointed at Dave and then at himself, “we’re family.”
Minnie smiled at Tess, and I inhaled for what felt like forever. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. Relief began to seep in slowly.
“Have you ever imagined what a belt sander can do to your face?” Morgan quietly asked as he sucked on a joint.
I shook my head. “No, not particularly.”
“’Kay.” He inhaled. “Just know if this goes south, you’ll find out.”
“Got it.”
Kenna
