Page 29 of Untouchable

“How’d you figure that out? He talked to you?” I cross my arms, feeling the anger all over my face.

Bodine’s face grows even more serious—something I didn’t think possible. “No, he spoke to Kat.” He looks at Lenny, seeing him stomp out his cigarette immediately after.

“That motherfucker.” He’s as red in the face as one can be before smoke starts blowing out their ears. “What did he say to her? He didn’t touch her, did he?” I look at Bodine, curious about the answer to those questions myself.

“Well, it wasn’t a long conversation. Mikey and I walked over as soon as I saw him reaching for her hand to shake it. He disappeared just as we approached the girls, but according to Kat, he offered his condolences and…” Lenny huffs at that, but when Bodine pauses, he gives him a look that causes Bodine to stutter. “He-he said he’dsee them around. He was only talking to the girls at that point and… I don’t know, it just didn’t sit right with me. I thought you’d want to know.”

“Thanks, Bodine. You did the right thing.” I’m suddenly trying to remember the last time I saw Katarina after the service. I noticed Bodine and Mikey walking the girls to Tabitha’s car, but I haven’t seen her since we got here for the wake.

“That asshole isn’t getting anywhere near my little girl. I don’t care if I have to convince her to move back home with me so I can keep an eye on her twenty-four-seven.” Bodine and I share a look, causing Lenny to snap. “What?”

“I’m not sure that’s the best idea. Moving her in with you will only clue them into the fact that she’s your daughter. Which would do the exact opposite of protecting her while you’re testifying against Striker. Right now, they only think…well, that she’s with me.” I have to practically force the words out. Lenny stands there, the wheels in his brain turning as he lights upanothercigarette.

“You’re right.” I’m not sure why I’m shocked at his words. Lenny’s never been a proud man; he can admit when he’s wrong, but I didn’t expect it to come so easily. Not when it involves Katarina. We remain silent as Lenny finishes his smoke, Bodine and I sharing an impatient look as he finally stomps it out. “Ace, I need a favor.”

I nod immediately, knowing I’d never turn him down. “Name it.”

“I need you to get Kat out of town for a while.”

Anything but this, please.

“I won’t be able to keep my shit straight if I’m worrying about her and her safety. The only way I’ll know she’s okay is if she’s with you.”

Fuck. Me.

“How exactly do you expect me to get her to agree togowith me? Assuming you want her to go of her own free will?”

He waves a hand dismissively. “Ah, you’ll figure it out. I’m sure you’re charming enough to convince her somehow.”

Does he actually want me toseducehis daughter to go on a road trip with me?

“Just make her say yes and keep her safe, Ace. That’s all I ask.”

“Of course. You know I will.” He nods and heads back inside, causing me to curse to myself.

Bodine wears the most obnoxious smile on his face. “Well, this should be fun to watch.”

I slap him in the back of the head. “Vete a la mierda.”

“I’m downloading a translator. This is bullshit.” He swipes at the back of his head before heading inside. I can feel my nerves on the verge of being shot as I pace back and forth, thinking of how in the hell I’m supposed to convince Katarina toget out of townwith me. My head falls back with a groan, and my eyes catch on something at the corner of the roof.

Katarina.

All blonde locks and a black sundress beckoning me to climb up there with her.

My loyalty to Lenny is going to be the death of me.

When I make it to the top, she’s facing away from me, her head turned towards the sky as she allows the sun to beat down on her face. I hate the way I keep taking note of how many times I’ve seen my bandana in her hair.

Every time I’ve seen her since the day I gave it to her.

“Playing a game of hide and seek, Little Reaper?” She spins around when she hears my voice, her dress twirling around before stopping high on her thighs.

She lets out a soft laugh, tucking her hair behind her ear. “More like a game of catching my breath.” She turns away from me again, then I hear her laugh. “Do you remember when we were like…five? We were playing hide and seek here, and I got stuck in the old fridge?” I walk up next to her, leaning my forearms against the side of the roof.

“You always were the best at that game. Until that day, of course. Your screaming kind of gave you away.” I cut my eyes to hers, and when she smiles at me, it’s like the sun gets even brighter.

“Well yeah, any five-year-old with survival instincts would have done the same thing.”

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