Page 63 of Shadow and Skulls

“For what it’s worth, Tank is one of the finest men I’ve ever known,” Danielle tells my parents as she makes her way toward the front door.

“Would you trust him to dateyourdaughter?” my dad asks.

Anthony laughs. “Absolutely not.”

Danielle smacks him in the chest.

Chapter Twenty-One

Kelsie

Irun my finger over the check again, staring up at it as I hold it over my head. My arms fall to my sides. I have no clue what I’m going to do with the money.

Me: Maybe I’ll donate it to Jesse’s charity.

No response.

I have to give it to Tank. He’s a man of his word. He’s fucking stubborn. I know I shouldn’t be texting him either, but I never said I was self-disciplined.

My dad walks in, pausing beside my bed. “Who are you texting?” he asks, narrowing his eyes.

“Tank,” I sigh, dropping the phone and pushing it to the edge of the bed toward him.

He picks it up. His gaze roams over the screen. Again, his only response is a grunt. The grunt is always the same no matter if it’s a happy one or not, so I have no clue if he’s pleased with Tank or simply disappointed in me.

He tosses it back to me before sitting down. “Why don’t you just put the money in a savings account? Or you could invest some of it. Nothing better than money making you more money.”

I roll my eyes to the ceiling. Typical Dad response.

And that’s when it comes to me. I bolt upright. “I know what I’m going to do with it!” I exclaim, jumping off the bed. “Can you run me over to the warehouse? I need to talk to Jesse. I’d drive myself, but I’m still grounded.”

He places his hand over mine as I’m trying to tie my shoe beside him. “Kelsie, I don’t think you should donate it to Jesse’s charity. The money’s for you.”

“I know. I want to buy something from her.”

My dad removes his hand, letting me finish with my laces. His curiosity is piqued. “Okay. We’ll take the bike.”

I nod, following him out the door.

As soon as we get to the warehouse, I run inside. Jesse and Dirk are sitting at the table.

“Hey, girlie,” Jesse greets me, kissing me on the cheek after I pull up a chair beside them.

I hand her the check, my words rushing out. “I want to buy the church.”

She looks at the check, then at my dad who just joined us. “What church?”

“The one on the other side of Mom and Dad’s property,” I tell her, bouncing excitedly in my chair.

Dirk laughs. “Good luck, kid,” he says, rising from the table.

Jesse shakes her head. “I thought we burned that place down. Dirk, go get some gasoline.”

My mouth falls open, my hands going to my heart. “What? No!”

“That place creeps me the fuck out. Why do you want it?” She flicks the check in her hand before placing it back on the table in front of me.

I run my finger over it. “I want to live there.”

---