Page 18 of Bear Strength

“Of course not,” I answer quickly.

I want to ask him to leave. But, I don’t say anything. I look at both of them for a few moments longer, then Dominick turns to the TV first.

“Come on, Mason,” he says, all fueled up. “We need to reach the tower before the wolves get there.”

Mason shrugs his shoulders at me, with that same grin, and I’m defenseless. There is nothing I can say or do. I can’t throw him out of my home. I can’t even ask him to leave. It’s too risky. It’s too rude. I’m afraid what he might do as retaliation. So, I just need to keep calm and endure these few weeks. Then, both me and Dominick can steer clear of them, just like we did so far.

“I actually have to get going,” Mason suddenly says, putting the joystick away. “I just wanted to make sure you got home safe and sound.”

I snort hearing him say that, and the irony behind it, but Mason pretends not to notice it.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Mason says, patting Dominick on the back.

Dominick just smiles, and a thought occurs to me. I haven’t seen him smile like that in years. The thought hurts, as much as it brings me joy.

Mason walks out with me, then waits for me to close the front door.

“You don’t really like me, do you?” he asks so matter-of-factly that it almost makes me drop my jaw.

Instead, it takes me only a moment to gather myself, and I smile a genuine smile.

“What makes you say that?” I answer his question with another question.

My body is pointed to the car, and I know I’m just a few steps away from ending this conversation. And yet, I don’t move. I stay where I am. So does he.

“Well, I wouldn’t be where I am if I didn’t learn to read people,” he explains, but I hear no ill will behind it.

I’m tempted to mention his line of work, and that this is exactly why I’d rather not hang out with him in any way. The same goes for my son. Unfortunately, my son went ahead and did something extremely stupid, so our paths are forced to cross.

“We just moved here recently, and I - “

“I know,” he cuts me. “You’ve been living here exactly five months and a few days.”

“How do you know that?” I frown.

“This is my town,” he grins. “Shitty and small, but it’s mine. I keep it safe. I provide whatever it needs. No one moves here without me giving a prior consent.”

I want to roll my eyes at him, snort, do something to make him aware of the fact that I’m not impressed by his power or stature or money. I’m not like the rest of the townsfolk from around here, who may be swooned by his charm or promises. I see through him, for what he really is, and I can’t say I like what I see.

“But, what I couldn’t find out was the real reason behind your move here.”

His last sentence rings in my mind, like a million church bells, warning me to watch my step. I swallow heavily, thinking of the right thing to say to that.

“Like I told Old Bill when I was applying to that job,” I start as calmly as I could, but my fingers are trembling, “Dominick and I are alone. I just wanted him to grow up somewhere nice.”

“The city isn’t such a nice place to raise a kid, is it?” he asks, as if he knows.

“Not really,” we finally agree on something.

“Thank you for bringing him home,” I force myself to say this, even though the last thing I feel is gratitude. “But, I’ll take over again from tomorrow.”

“I’ll see him tomorrow then,” he smiles a mischievous smile, one that doesn’t make me feel very confident that things would go my way.

He winks at me, then walks over to his bike. He steps over it skillfully, his hands wrapped around the handle bars, his boots still on the ground. Within seconds, he revs the engine. It growls in reply, as he presses harder on the gas pedal. He doesn’t grace me with more attention. Instead, he slides down the street, followed by noise that makes people frown and roll their eyes.But, I don’t do any of that. I take a deep breath, hoping that whatever comes out of this won’t return to bite me in the ass.

CHAPTER 10

Adrian

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