Page 72 of Soulless Saint

Dad leaned against an older model Porsche Pope was working on, crossing his arms over his chest as he fixed us each with a hard stare before his gaze settled squarely on me. “I thought I told you to stay away from the girl.”

I was sure my face betrayed my surprise, but really, I shouldn’t have been surprised at all. I’d done the exact opposite of his orders to stay away from her, and of course he had someone checking up to make sure I listened because spoiler alert, I never listened.

“And I thought it was pretty damn obvious that the orders applied to both of you.” Dad turned to Hardin. “I’m guessing your brother didn’t even bother telling you I’d ordered him to keep his distance from the Matthews girl.”

“Hart,” I corrected. “Her name’s Rebecca Hart. Not Matthews.”

Maybe this was all a mix up? Was he getting his panties in a twist because he thought she was someone else?

Dad pinched the bridge of his nose. “Same shit,” he said. “Doesn’t matter. The point is I asked you to keep your distance and you didn’t listen, did you?”

I forced myself to stand my ground. “I can protect her,” I said, but as soon as the words were out of my mouth, I questioned the validity of them. I could hardly protect myself half the time. Could I protect Becca? Really? Could I be responsible for someone other than myself? My brother?

“Oh, you can, can you?” Dad snapped.

“Dad,” Hardin warned, giving his head a barely perceptible shake.

Dad huffed heavily. “Since neither of you can seem to leave the girl alone, effectively putting her at risk, she needs to be brought in.”

“Brought in?” Hardin asked, a muscle flexing in his jaw.

Dad nodded, a shadow falling across his eyes. “You’ll bring her for dinner this Friday. Ma’s making lasagna.”

“But Dad—”

“Until then,” he interrupted sharply. “I expect you to keep your fucking distance. We have no idea where the Sons have eyes and unless you want this girl hurt or worse you’ll steer clear. Do you both understand?”

“What is it about this girl?” I asked. “Why do you care?”

He pushed to his feet, his shoulders flexing, a show of power. “I do not need to explain myself, Son. You’d do well to remember that. Remember who you’re talking to.”

“Yes, sir,” I scoffed.

Dad nodded, turning his attention back to Hardin, who nodded gravely. At least this bullshit meant he wouldn’t be getting near her, either. Not for a while, anyway.

“Good, now that’s settled, on the night of the intended meet, I’ll want you boys at the house. Ma won’t have it any other way.”

“Can’t,” I argued. “We promised the Crows we’d go to the Lodi show.”

Dad cocked his head. “Primal Ethos,” I reminded him. “They’re playing in Lodi the same night the Sons proposed for the meet.”

“But if you need us here, then we’ll stay,” Hardin said, ever the ruiner of all the fun. I bought the tickets for the Lodi show months ago. It was practically carved in stone that we were going.

Dad thought about it and shook his head. “No. No, that’s good, actually. I like the idea of you both being out of town. Just in case. Me and the guys can handle locking down the area. Then your Ma and I will hole up with the others. Yeah. That’s a better plan. Go to your show. Maybe stay the night in Lodi if you can, but pay cash. No paper trail.”

“What are we, rookies?”

Dad rolled his eyes. “Now get out of here, the both of you. When you’re not in class, your asses are on the streets looking for these vermin. Together. And if I hear you’ve come within five hundred feet of the girl, I’ll tan both your damn hides.”

“I still can’t believe you’re friends with The Bone Man,” Kate squealed, bouncing in Toby’s backseat.

“Hey, don’t forget about my girl, Ava Jade. I mean, yes, Primal Ethos was already dope before she came along, but she totally pushed them to the next level.”

“Preach!” Toby sang out from the front seat, turning up the crackly sound system loud enough to drown out Kate and me in the backseat while he drummed the steering wheel, rocking out to one of their newer singles. Switchblade Smile. Which was quickly becoming one of my favorite songs of all time.

Kate giggled to herself, not needing even an ounce of alcohol or puff of a joint to be totally high on life right now. To be honest, neither did I.

I’d spent way too long without seeing my best friend. If she was in Thorn Valley, just a few hours’ drive away, there’d be no excuse, but seeing as she was on tour I suppose I’d forgive her.

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