Page 57 of Wolf

I shake my head because she’s got it all wrong, but Maddox interjects, saying, “And yet she’s hurting because of something the great Abernathy’s did. Who’s the monster now?”

He starts the motorcycle, the loud roar drowning out any response and after tipping his head toward me, he’s gone.

Rachel stares after him, her back ramrod straight, and with a groan, I watch him go. What was that about?

Later that evening, I pause on the threshold to the dining room when I find the sheriff seated at the table. He’s sitting in Miriam’s chair and my throat burns as I approach.

When he looks up, his thin lips stretch into a smile and he says, “Well, hello Lilli. You get prettier every day, just like your mama.”

Mama titters, clasping her chest while my skin crawls. This man spoke about me as though I was nothing more than something to use. He frequented Darcy’s mama’s bed and turned on her without remorse. Apparently, he has no issue with looking past the hypocrisy of it all.

Does Mama, who’s practically kneeling at his feet, know of his sins? Does Daddy?

“Thanks,” I mumble, wishing they hadn’t seated him next to Mercy. Eyeing her pale face, I urge her to look up but she’s immune as she plays with her fork, her delicate fingers trembling.

Rachel bows her head and with a silent sigh, I resign myself to an awkward meal.

My parents and the sheriff make small talk through the ordeal while I move my food around on my plate and pray for this to be over.

Why is he here? Is it a message for me?

“How’s your granddaughter?” Daddy asks while I stare at my plate.

The sheriff sighs and says, “Not great, Jim. She’s fallen in with the wrong people if you know what I mean.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Mama says, and I mentally roll my eyes at her simpering tone.

“Well, you know how it is. Kids, these days. At least Danny isn’t affiliated with that MC like his daddy and granddaddy before him.”

My ears perk up at this and I stow the information away for later. Why does the sheriff hate the MC so much? I mean, notwithstanding their criminal activities, his actions seem to go beyond that of the letter of the law.

Thankfully, the dinner finally ends but when I go to push back from the table, Daddy says, “Lilli, we need to speak to you. Girls, go to your room.”

Rachel glances at me sideways and I muster a weak smile as she stands, and they disappear down the hall.

A bead of sweat trickles down my spine as I turn back to the three expectant stares and say, “What is it, Daddy?”

The sheriff shifts in his chair, the bulk of his belly brushing the table, and I brace myself as he says, “I have a few questions for you, Lilli.”

“Oh,” I croak through a dry throat. Mama taps her finger on the table and my soul burns at her ability to turn a blind eye to the evil before her.

I’ve spent my life being told what to do and how to do it for the sole purpose of supposedly pleasing god and yet here I sit, across from a sinner himself. The difference is, this man doesn’t care about his actions, where all I’ve ever wanted was to be good enough for my parents.

“Yes, we know you were with Darcy McCray the other night,” the sheriff says, and I bow my head.

How many lashings will I get this time?

With a bitter smile, I clench my hands between the folds of my skirt. I’m supposed to answer this jerk’s questions about Wolf and my sister, knowing I’ll be beaten when this is over and somehow, I’m the one who’s damned.

Yeah, right.

“Where did you go with her?” he asks.

“To a party,” I whisper, hoping I’m not creating more trouble for Darcy. Did they ask her the same questions? What did she say?

“Where?” Daddy barks and I flinch before raising my gaze.

When the sheriff smiles, I bite my lip because it’s all there, ready to tumble from my mouth. I hate him for putting me in this position. I hate him for threatening my sister.

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