Page 120 of Body and Soul

“About Xion. It's time to transfer his care to someone else. Someone better equipped to handle his needs than you.”

Boone frowned, his brow furrowing. “I can handle the pup just fine.”

I leaned forward, elbows braced on my knees. “You understand this was only supposed to be temporary, Boone? Our agreement was that you would hold on to him—”

“Until he was stable,” Boone finished. “He ain’t stable, so he ain’t goin’ anywhere.”

I ground my teeth, frustration simmering in my veins. Boone was playing a dangerous game here, one he couldn't hope to win. Did he think he could go back on our deal without consequences? I was a Laskin. We always collected our debts, one way or another.

“Don't mistake my patience for weakness, Boone,” I said slowly. “We had an agreement. You've been well compensatedfor your services. Going back on your word to me would be…unwise.”

Boone's jaw tightened, a muscle twitching beneath the scruff of his beard. He leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. “I'm stickin' to the agreement just fine. Kid ain't stable, so he stays with me. Ain't my fault you didn't put a time limit on this arrangement.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Careful, Boone. You're treading on thin ice. I'd hate for you to fall through.”

We stared each other down, the tension crackling like electricity in the air. The dogs began to whine, sensing the shift in the atmosphere. Finally, Boone looked away, his shoulders slumping almost imperceptibly.

“I'm just tryin' to do right by the pup,” he muttered. “The agreement is still in force.”

I stared hard at Boone, my jaw clenching. The man had a point. Xion was far from stable. But that didn't change the fact that Boone was getting too attached, too protective. It would only make things more difficult in the end.

I exhaled through my nose, a muscle ticking in my cheek. Arguing with Boone was like talking to a brick wall. The man was stubborn, immovable, and utterly infuriating. But I knew when I was beaten, at least for the moment. Pushing harder now would only make him dig in his heels further.

“Fine,” I bit out, rising to my feet. “But don't get too comfortable with this arrangement. It's not permanent, and it would behoove you to remember that.”

I scribbled down a few new prescriptions for Xion, gathered my things and left the trailer, more certain about my choice than before.

The bitter wind bit at my exposed skin as I stalked away from the doublewide, gravel crunching beneath my boots. Gray skies pressed down from above, heavy with the promise of snow. Iyanked open the door to my SUV and slid inside, slamming it shut behind me with more force than necessary. The vehicle rocked on its suspension, groaning in protest.

I gripped the steering wheel until my knuckles whitened, staring out the frosted windshield without seeing. Frustration simmered in my veins. Boone's obstinance grated on my nerves like sandpaper. The man was a damn fool, letting his emotions cloud his judgment.

I huffed out a breath, fogging the chilled air. Boone was a simple man, driven by base instincts and misplaced loyalty. He didn't understand the intricate web of obligations and debts that bound the Laskin family. He couldn't comprehend the sacrifices that had to be made for the greater good.

But I understood. I understood all too well.

Jaw clenched, I fished my phone out of my pocket and punched in the digits Algerone had given me. It rang twice before a cultured voice answered, smooth as aged whiskey. “Shepherd Laskin. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I want to know what you plan to do with Xion once you have him,” I said bluntly, in no mood for pleasantries.

There was a long pause on the other end of the line, broken only by the faint crackle of static. Finally, he sighed, a soft exhalation that seemed to carry the weight of the world. “Xion is my son, Shepherd. My flesh and blood. All I want is to be a father to my sons. Is that so difficult to fathom?”

I pressed my lips into a thin line, Algerone's words settling like lead in my gut. Could it be that simple? That all this powerful, dangerous man wanted was a chance to be a father to his wayward sons? It seemed too good to be true, a pretty lie wrapped in silk and shadows.

And yet, a traitorous part of me wanted to believe him. Wanted to believe that there was still some shred of humanity left in Algerone Caisse-Etremont, buried beneath the layers of coldcalculation and ruthless ambition. That maybe he did care for Xion in his own twisted way.

I exhaled slowly, my breath fogging the chilled air inside the SUV. “All right,” I said finally, my voice sounding hollow even to my own ears. “I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, for now. But I need more time with Xion. The new meds I've prescribed should help stabilize him, make him more... amenable to a transfer of care.”

“Of course,” Algerone purred, his tone dripping with false sincerity. “I defer to your expertise in these matters, Shepherd. You are, after all, the esteemed psychiatrist. Take the time you need. But do keep in mind that my patience, while vast, is not infinite.”

The underlying threat in his words was clear as cut glass. I had bought myself a reprieve, but it was temporary at best.

“And once the transfer is complete…Your offer to help me free Dani from the cult is still good?” I tried not to sound desperate, but it was difficult. Algerone’s people were my only viable hope of ever seeing her again.

“I am a man of my word,” he confirmed. “Once Xion is safely in my care, you will have the full might of my resources at your disposal to rescue your dear sister. You can count on that.”

I closed my eyes, equal parts relieved and repulsed by the bargain I was striking with this devil. “Understood. I'll be in touch.”

With that, I hung up, tossing the phone onto the passenger seat and I pulled out of the junkyard with a hope and a plan.

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