Page 24 of Preacher

“Ah, wasn’t nothing to recover from.”

“You say that like I don’t know that dude was a loose cannon.” He shook his head. “You’re lucky you didn’t get your ass shot getting in the middle of that bullshit.”

“It wasn’t all that bad. The guy just needed to blow off some steam. You’d be the same way if you’d just lost everything that meant something to ya.”

“If you say so.” He crossed his arms with a sigh of disapproval. “You’re gonna have to start being more careful.”

“Where’s the fun in that?”

“Pop. I already lost Beck. Don’t wanna lose my ol’ man, too.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“So, you’re doing better with things?”

“I’m good.” I hadn’t told him about the dreams or the sinking pit in my stomach, and I had no plans to. He’d struggled with the loss of his brother, and I had no intention of adding to his pain. “What about you?”

“Taking things one day at a time.”

Ready to change the subject, I asked, “What about Antonia? How’s she making it?”

“She’s good.” His mouth curled slightly. “Real good.”

“Is that right?” His grin widened in a way I hadn’t seen in quite some time. “Something going on?”

“Maybe.”

“Memphis.”

“What?” He gave me a light-hearted shrug. “I told ya. She’s good.”

“Um-hmm.” I cocked my brow. “Why do I get the feeling there’s something you aren’t telling me?”

“Cause there’s something I’m not telling ya,” he admitted. “And I’m not gonna, or Antonia would have my ass.”

“I see.”

I didn’t press. I didn’t have to.

It was written all over his face. My son was going to be a father. I might’ve read it wrong, but I felt confident in my guess. The thought of him having a kid made my chest tighten with pride. I gave him a slow nod and patted his shoulder, letting my hand rest there for just a second longer than usual. “Just let me know when you can.”

Memphis nodded, his eyes flashing with something unspoken. “You’ll be the first to know.”

He gave me a wink, then turned and walked out, leaving me feeling a little lighter than I had only minutes prior.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t a feeling that would last for long.

I started for the door, and my burner started to ring. I took it out of my pocket, and when I looked down at the screen, I groaned at the sight of Sergei’s name. I let out a long breath before answering, “You’ve got Preacher.”

“We need to talk.”

“We certainly do.”

“Can you meet me at the house in an hour?”

“Yeah. I can make that work.”

“Appreciate it. See you then.”

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