Page 52 of Hostile Saint

This would be the moment I saw my first glimpse of how ‘Prez’ normally conducted himself. It was like a wall was built in front of him in a second flat. His shoulders set back. His chin lifted. His voice lowered and took on a direct tone. “You’re fine, Saph—”

Seeing me, she waved. “Hi! I’m Sapphire!”

Lynx moved the phone so she couldn’t see me. “Saph, I need you to remember the rules and continue with what you were doing.”

Her big eyes got impossibly bigger. “Oh yes, sorry.” Then she darted off. I heard a fridge open, shut, then Sapphire appeared once more. “Sorry.” She held up her arms that were carrying a mammoth footlong sandwich. “Meatball needed a snack.” Then she darted off.

As soon as we were alone again, Lynx relaxed. “Babe, I told you this was a bad idea.”

Elle pleaded, “Lynx,” she glanced to the side where I imagined the kitchen door to be then whispered, “Please don’t make me send her away.”

“Send her— Wait. Has she been staying there, Elle?”

Elle quickly put an earphone in her left ear so no one there could hear the conversation. “Yes, but—”

“I ain’t running an orphanage, Elle.”

She kept whispering, “I know, but she will earn her keep.”

“I have all the employees I need.”

“Lynx, she has nowhere to stay. She needs a place—”

“You talkin’ about her living at the Barn?”

“Babe, this poor girl needs a home.”

Lynx eyed the phone. “Only two types of women can consider the Barn their home.”

She exhaled. “I know that. Old Ladies—”

“And bunnies. That pip-squeak ain’t got the makin’s for an Old Lady.”

I was clueless as to what a bunny was, but Elle replied, “Well, that’s the decision of the man, right?”

“Elle,” warned her man.

“She, uh, watches Brat. He, uh, has noticed her, too. I thought maybe that would be a good match?”

“Brat’s only a Prospect, and he’s a complete mess, Elle.”

“So is she!” Elle whispered loudly. “She works at Hell’s Angels strip club!”

“That ain’t no strip joint. That’s a whorehouse. A shithole of one that would eat that little girl alive.”

Elle shrugged as if her point had now been made.

Lynx sat back. “Jesus. H. Christ.”

Elle added, “Hence being a bunny is a very good option.” She teared up. “Please. She has a good heart. I just know it.”

Lynx eyed me… then closed his eyes and exhaled, leaning back to rest. “I’m not doubting her heart, babe.” His eyes opened. “I’m doubting whether or not she’s a good fit.” He shook his head while sitting back up. “That little girl would get ate up in this lifestyle, too.”

Hearing such words, I wondered why being an Old Lady was so different. Why my Lace would be so safe.

Elle’s eyes drifted closed as if her mind were in a place she didn’t want to be. “I am asking you to do this for me.”

Lynx’s shoulders caved. Then, without Elle knowing it, his finger reached out to touch her, hovering just above the phone. After staring at Elle for a few long seconds, he retracted his hand, then told me, “You watch, I’m gonna regret this someday.”