Page 93 of Hostile Saint

I was surprised to notice Dagger not saying a word. He just ate pizza and accepted shots quietly. Maybe it was a Prez-to-Prez conversation, but my gut suspected it was more of an intervention. I was missing a very strong detail about my Stallion Prez. And it was about to be revealed…

Lynx wouldn’t meet Diesel in the eyes but said, “After, uh, more intel is uncovered.”

“Look at me.”

Lynx refused, refilling shot glasses.

“Brother,” said Diesel, “there was nothing you could have done.”

Lynx kept shaking his head, still refusing to look at the other Prez in the kitchen.

To my VP, I head-gestured, silently asking if I should leave the room. With appreciation in his eye, he hand-gestured for me to stay put. So, I did, and kept eating.

Diesel stepped closer to Lynx. “That shit was meant to be—”

Lynx suddenly sneered, “It sure was. I lost my son because of what happened to yours.”

Holy shit.

Diesel’s mouth fell open, empathy registering on his face. “Not even fucking close, Lynx. God don’t work like that.”

Grabbing a pack of cigarettes, he turned away. “How do you know? You don’t even believe in God.”

Diesel warned, “I was angry when I said that. My parents had fallen out of the sky. Be fair, fucker. But God gave me Viola, and he gave me my boy back.”

I wondered if any of this had to do with his Will Find You tattoo.

Still facing the sliding door, Lynx’s shoulders caved. “Then I lost him for you.” He walked outside.

Diesel, hot on his trail, shut the door behind them both so they could talk on the porch.

Stunned, and very confused, I looked to Dagger.

He closed a pizza box and refilled his glass. “You’re all good, Pup—” He chuckled when I slid my shot glass next to his for more.

Holding his shot up for mine, he waited. As I clicked mine to his, he told me, “I just let you hear some real personal shit, feel me?”

I nodded. “Won’t repeat nothing.”

“‘Preciate it.” He downed his drink.

I followed suit.

He stared outside to the porch and watched over two of the closest men he would ever have in his life. “I let you hear all that because it’s possible no brother would understand a dark past more than you. And, because I believe it is important you know how much that man out there needs to face some demons or he’s never going to let you grow into a man.”

“Have I done something to cause this?”

He smirked, but it lacked humor. “Besides being a gift from up above?”

My head tilted.

Dagger exhaled. “Lynx and Elle lost a child recently.” When my eyes widened, Dagger solemnly nodded. “Yeah, some real tough shit. And, it doesn’t seem more children will be possible.” He wiped a palm down his tired face. “Of course, Elle blames herself, hence this health food kick. Prez thinks it’s all his fault. As you heard, he thinks God is punishing him for what happened to his brother’s kid.” His jaw ticked. “Art was taken along with Justice.”

My mind was blown. “The guy I just met in the driveway?”

“Yeah, the one who doesn’t know his dad is the President of the Ryders.” He stared at me, waiting for my expression to change as realization sunk in.

“Oh shit. But… why doesn’t he know?”