Page 52 of Legends Luke

Her expression twisted into a look of pure stubbornness. Luke was prepared for her to say no, but she slowed her pace.

“Fine, but I’m not leaving here without her. And I’m not waiting in the truck. So, let’s do this.”

Luke and Easton shared a look of amusement before schooling their features. They stopped on either side of the door, and Luke pushed Melody to stand behind him. Easton rapped firmly against the flimsy door. They could hear music playing from inside, but it sounded like audio effects from a video game. Footsteps moved closer to the door a moment before it flung open. The boy glared at them from beneath a mop of shaggy, dirty blond hair that Luke suspected fell in his face by design rather than unruliness.

When the boy, who couldn’t be older than fifteen, didn’t speak, Luke narrowed his eyes and broke the standoff. “We’re here for Erin.”

The boy rolled his eyes and turned away, leaving the door open. They could hear him shout over the noise from inside, but the long hallway in front of them didn’t offer a clear view of any of the rooms.

“E! Your old man’s here.”

Luke refused to meet his brother’s eyes because he knew Easton was enjoying the kid thinking Luke was Erin’s father. Only a couple more minutes passed before the young girl came to the door, also with a glare she aimed at Luke and Easton.

“I don’t know you.”

Melody stepped out from behind Luke. “Nope, but you know me. Now come on.”

She gripped Erin’s arm and dragged her down the walk before the sixteen-year-old dug in her heels to bring them to a stop.

“Let me go! I’m not going with you!”

Melody barely controlled her fury as she faced Erin. “Yes, you are.”

“What’s going on?”

Luke and Easton had followed behind the women when the voice spoke up from the doorway. Luke turned and recognized the man instantly. His features had matured since his mug shot, and his frame had filled out with evidence of someone who took care of himself. But there was no doubt this was Blake Drummond.

“We’re here to take Erin home. She skipped out on her community service this afternoon, and her parents are anxious to speak to her.”

To Blake’s credit, he didn’t appear intimidated by Luke or Easton as he looked beyond them to where Erin tried to free herself from Melody’s grasp.

“Don’t listen to them. They’re trying to kidnap me,” Erin snapped.

“Do you know them, E?” Blake’s question seemed innocent enough, but Luke detected a hint of authority in his tone as if he knew the girl would answer him truthfully.

“Not them.” Erin waved her free hand at the brothers. “She works for my mom.”

“Is it true? Did you finish your community service today or not?”

Luke wouldn’t have believed it if he hadn’t witnessed it, butErin seemed to deflate under Blake’s questioning. All the fight left her, and she lowered her head as if ashamed when she replied.

“No, I didn’t finish. They wanted me to clean the toilets, and that’s gross. So, I left to hang out here.”

“Then you should go.”

Erin’s head snapped up. “But I—”

Blake didn’t wait for her to finish. He turned and disappeared inside, slamming the door behind him. Luke caught Easton’s eye and could see his brother was as surprised as he was. Luke turned his head back to Melody and Erin. His heart squeezed to see Erin’s eyes pooling with unshed tears.

“Take her on to the truck.”

Melody nodded and pulled Erin along with her. This time, the teenager didn’t resist.

“What the hell was that?” Easton spoke only loud enough for his brother’s ears.

“Proof that my gut is on to something. Let me get Melody and Erin taken care of, then I’ll meet you back at the bar.”

Easton nodded. “I’ll call Ben and Jackson to come too. Gish is already there.”

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