Page 58 of Saint's Sinner

“Stink?”

“You ever smell that plant-based shit?”

“No, not sure I want to, but I guess I’d better if I’m going to have to explain to Corey and her girl why we’re not serving it.”

“Come on to the back and you can smell for yourself what the issue is.”

Night turned and made it two steps before he heard Mark snarl a curse, then bark Teddy’s name with the kind of intensity usually reserved for those they were at war with, not family and especially not with someone he’d claimed.

“Why haven’t you moved yet? Get your ass to the house, don’t make me say it again.”

“No.”

“Excuse me?”

It was like the whole world had frozen. Night could scarcely breathe for fear that it would be too loud in the hollow silence that followed Teddy’s refusal.

“You’ve been treating me like shit for over a week now and I’m sick of it. If you’re gonna be a dick to me then I’ve got no reason to do as you say.”

When Night dared to glance over his shoulder, it was to see Mark standing crimson-faced and furious and Teddy just as red in the face, with tears streaming down his cheeks. Scout looked conflicted, like he wanted to help but didn’t know what to say oreven do about the situation or the fact that Teddy hadn’t let go of him yet.

“Know what I’m sick of? Mark asked, his voice having taken on a low, serious tone that was about as frosty as a glacier. “I’m sick of discovering some new low you’ve sunk to, and this last one may prove to be unforgiveable.”

“If that’s the case, then there is no point in me going to the house now is there?” Teddy remarked. “If you’re cutting me loose, then I can do as I please and I think what would please me right now would be to take a ride on Scout’s bike and find something to eat.”

Scout’s mouth opened, then closed, no sound coming out as he stood looking shell shocked and who could blame him when there was a literal shitstorm brewing around him and Teddy looked determined to drag Scout right into the center of it with him.

“If that’s your choice, then you do what you feel you gotta do and I’ll let Kat know you chose to walk away instead of changing your behavior.”

The stare down that followed was brief, then Teddy reached into his pocket, pulled out his keys and slapped them on the counter.

“Scout, I hope you’ve got room in your tent,” Teddy declared as he stalked past Mark and headed out the door. When Scout moved to follow, still looking perplexed and hesitant, Mark grabbed his arm and reached beneath the bar, snagging one of the spare cabin keys he kept there.

“Four is on the left of the laundry room,” Mark declared. “Let him cool off, then bring his ass back here. You can both sleep in that one if he’s hell bent on being stubborn.”

“Should I um, still show up at seven?” Scout asked.

“Only if you can get him to come back with you, otherwise, your job right now is to shadow him and try not to let him get into too much trouble.”

“I umm….yeah, okay,” Scout said, which gave some measure of proof at how willing he was to do whatever assignment he was given.

He took the key and tore off after Teddy.

“That’s probably going to come back to bite me on the ass later,” Mark muttered, heaving a large sigh as he freed his hair from the elastic that held it back.

“Which part?” Night asked. “Scout or Teddy.”

“Both, but after seeing that rat bike of his, I’m curious as to how much more about those machines he knows. The shop might be a better fit for him then behind the bar, but I gotta admit, he did good, despite the way we put him on the spot.”

“Yeah, there’s no denying that,” Night said. “As long as Teddy doesn’t corrupt him.”

The grim smile on the president’s face said he’d already considered that and more.

As Mark stood staring off in the direction of his errant sub, Night retreated to the kitchen, returning with a platter that he sat in front of his club president, whose eyes widen at the sight.

“Kat said the only Chinese place in twenty miles went out of business last year,” Night said. “When I asked about favorites, beef and broccoli were at the top of the list, along with crab Rangoon, teriyaki chicken on a stick and General Tso’s chicken. I’ve got chicken stock simmering for hot and sour soup and Kat asked if I could manage shrimp with lobster sauce. I’ve never had it, but I’ve got a few videos cued up. I’ll get it worked out for her. Rabbit is in the back making fried rice if you want me to bring some out when it’s ready.”

“Please,” Mark said, leaning over to inhale the steam wafting off his food.

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