I walked away from her. Our last conversation sounds inside my head.
“Why you gotta make shit so damn hard for me, pretty girl?”
A tear slid down her cheek. “Because I wish you'd choose me. That you'd show me I'm worth the fight. That somewhere buried deep in that black heart a part of you loves me.”
I cupped her jaw, my heart split in two. I'm living a double life. Caught between heaven and hell. “I care about you, baby. You’re the only woman I go on my knees for.” I went to my knees and practically begged her to understand. I never asked for any of this. Hell, she didn’t either. I never expected to fall for her.
“Hello.” A hand waves over my face. “Earth to, Dad.”
“What?” I grumble.
“So can I go?”
“Yeah whatever, but I want a word with him first.”
“Thanks. You’re the best dad ever.” She comes in for a hug.
Ruthie mutters, “That’s debatable.”
Fucking cunt. I’ve been trying my damnedest to appease her. Keeping my enemy close, working her for information on her bastard father. He’s at the top of my list. He’s not an easy man to get to. He started asking too many questions when Alexa turned back up a few days after I dropped her at the train station and Todd didn’t. Called up Lily’s old man, Bronson. Sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong. Pressing for answers asking if there had been any new girls brought in.
Only person who knew about Alexa other than Slick was Grudge. I trust Slick. He wouldn’t have turned on me nor Lily, now Grudge that’s debatable. The fucker has a temper and when you piss him off forgiveness doesn’t come easy hence the name. I don’t think I’ve gotten on his bad side, though he did feel slighted when Lily turned him down, but hell that was years ago.
No. Lion’s got eyes on me. And if anything, he knows about Alexa, but the bastard has kept quiet. I know his secret and he knows mine.
“Is it okay if Alexa spends the night?”
“I don’t know if you hanging out with her is such a good idea.”
“She’s my best friend, and I have barely seen her since she got back.”
“Don’t her folks want her at home?”
“They kicked her out.”
“Where is she living then?” Ruthie questions, looking concerned.
Rochelle shrugs. “She’s been staying with Carla, but she can’t live there. I was hoping she could stay here.”
“Here?” I nearly choke the word out.
“She can stay tonight, but your father and I will need to talk about it. Her folks won’t let her come back?”
“I mean, you know how strict her dad is. He’s pretty pissed about her running off with Todd. He dumped her at some motel and left her stranded.”
Fuck me. My fist curls around my beer. She made up a story about that piece of shit. I know she probably did it thinking she was helping to protect me for what I did, but I don’t want her involved. Alexa never should’ve returned.
A knock sounds at the front door. “That’s Colter,” Rochelle says with a squeal. “And, Dad, be nice please.”
I grunt in response as she flies toward the door practically floating. Jesus. I’m not ready for this shit.
“Hey, Colter. Um...can you come in for a sec. My dad wants to talk to you.”
Colter breezes in every bit his father’s son. Dark hair swept back in a ponytail, showing off the shaved sides of his head. Tattooed and dangerous. He looks too damn old to be taking out my princess.
“Murder.” He extends his right hand, and I spy a Tasmanian Devil tattooed on his forearm. I give him a firm shake and it pleases me that he’s not nervous. I respect that he had the balls to show up and face me like a man.
“Colter. Rochelle tells me you’re taking her out tonight.”