Page 15 of One Step Sideways

“Dogs,” he murmured, keeping his gaze firmly on the floor. “Dad was involved in dog fighting. Made money but drank his profits. We had kennels out the back and I was supposed to feed them, clean them out. There was a way of chaining them, but he’d been drunk, and I hadn’t realized three of them weren’t tied up.”

Danny wanted to tell him that he didn’t have to share either, but he stayed quiet. He had the feeling this was a once only deal.

“I went into the kennels with the meat. He kept them hungry just before a fight, so there wasn’t much, and they went for me the second I got in. They weren’t after me, just the food, but I got in the middle of three of them fighting for it.”

“How old were you?” I managed to croak out.

“Eleven. A year before I got the scar on my face.”

I mentally went through his file. “Why isn’t there a hospital record of it?”

Kane looked up then in surprise. “What?”

“Cops, ambulance?”

“The guy Dad drank with heard them and he had a gun. Shot one of the dogs. Dragged me out. There wasn’t a hospital record because I didn’t go to one.”

I gaped. How was he even alive?

He patted his leg. “I’m lucky. If they’d have gotten my femoral, I’d have been dead, but my dad’s ring had their own medical stuff. Dog fights are dangerous. The other guy, Leon, was an animal vet of some sort and he had all the first-aid gear. I don’t remember much.” He shrugged.

It was another lie. I knew it was, but I could hardly call him on it. But I bet he remembered it every single day.

“And no one knew? School?” I cursed inwardly. Even Iwasn’t that naïve.

“I wish,” he mumbled. “I was stupid before I even got sent down.” I opened my mouth to refute that bald statement, but I had no idea what to say. “A month later, I had to start feeding the dogs again.”

I couldn’t even bring myself to curse then.

He glanced at the floor. “I didn’t want to, but Dad made me. I had a different sort of scar soon after and I knew I had zero options. At that point, no one cared what I did.” And I knew instantly who’d put the marks on Kane’s back. “Fast forward a few years and he was drunk, as usual. It was the night before a fight and they needed to be fed, and I knew where Dad kept his gun, so I took it with me. One of the biggest dogs went crazy. Dad had been starving it, riling it up. It was chained, but it went berserk when I went in there and it lunged.” Kane still kept his gaze on the floor and for a moment, I wished I could cope with being touched. Or touching. My mom would have said he needed a hug, and I had no idea where that random thought had come from. I imagined Kane enjoyed casual touches about as much as he liked dogs.

“I don’t think the chain would have reached, but I just reacted, and I pulled the trigger. Dad woke up, and he went insane. The dog was going to win him a lot of money. He—” Kane broke off. “It was the first time I fought back. And this time Dad had injuries.” He looked up. “You know the rest.”

We both jumped a little when Diesel knocked on the door frame. The door wasn’t totally shut. “Food’s ready.”

I stood. “I’m sorry. I’m not usually such a judgmental prick.” I didn’t extend my hand. I was pretty sure that wouldn’t work for either of us.

“I got water or beer,” Diesel said, ignoring what I’d just said.

“No, I’m good,” Kane said and picked up the bag.

I stared at him and the bag and stood. “What are you doing?”

He met my gaze. “This isn’t gonna work out.”

“No,” I started. “Look—”

But he put a hand up. “Not your fault.”

Diesel was still in the doorway. “At least stay tonight.” But Kane shook his head. Diesel sighed and nodded to the cell phone Kane had laid on the dresser. “Keep the phone.” He dug in his pocket, but Kane shook his head.

“I’m good for cash, but I will keep the phone. Thanks.” And he walked out. Diesel didn’t say a word but started texting furiously.

“You’re just gonna let him go?”

Diesel looked up. “How do you suggest I stop him?”

I sagged against the wall. Of course he couldn’t. We ate in near silence, and I was ready to demand Kane’s number when his phone rang an hour or so after Kane had left, and he snatched it up. I thought I heard Ringo’s voice, but I couldn’t tell what he said.

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