Page 81 of Savage

“So you saved him.”

“Yeah, I guess I did.”

Silence fell as I stared through the lattice at Father Vitale’s profile. It was angular and strong, as though it had been cut from stone, and the shadows that concealed him only amplified the mystery surrounding him.

He had a powerful presence that was almost otherworldly, and sometimes when he looked at you, it was difficult to remember he was a mere mortal.

Touched by God indeed.

“But you’re troubled by this?” he asked.

“No. He needed help, so I helped him, but then…then I kind of lied to him. And I’m not proud about that.”

“Did you lie to protect him?”

No, I lied to fuck him.

Somehow I didn’t think that would go down too well with a priest.

“Not exactly. I wanted to make sure he was okay after what happened, so I followed him, and then things got complicated and I had to tell him I was someone I’m not so he would call me for protection, and anyway, long story short, I lied to him and feel bad about it.”

“Do you plan to tell him you lied?”

“Um—eventually?”

“Why not sooner?”

“Because it’s not safe yet.”

“So you lied to keep him safe?”

“Yes.”

“While lying itself is not something I condone, if it’s done to keep one out of harm’s way I can see why someone might do it, and I’m sure you will rectify the issue when you are able.”

“Yeah—I mean, yes. Of course, just not…yet.” I let out a sigh, and just as I was about to wrap things up and give my apologies to the Almighty for my sins, I instead heard myself say, “Father?”

“Yes, Lachlan?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“Lately I’ve found myself butting heads with the bossman.”

“I assume you mean King?”

“Yeah.” I lowered my head, trying to make sense of my thoughts. I’d always been an impulsive guy, especially when it came to getting down in the thick of it. But I wasn’t usually the type to buck the system. If King issued an order, I followed it, no questions asked.

So why had I been getting in so much damn trouble lately?

“I’ve been conflicted over doing the right thing.”

“The right thing or the expected thing?”

Up until now, I’d figured that was one and the same. “The expected, I guess. I’ve been spending time getting to know someone that I know I shouldn’t be. Someone that will, in all likelihood, be gone from my life this time next month, and yet I can’t seem to stop myself. Even though King has told me several times to cut it out.”

“You’re drawn to him.”

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