Page 43 of Kings of Decay
Ihad to say something to Dad.He needed to know that whatever business was going on at the mine, he had to stay out of it. Sketchy or not, he would be in serious danger if he got involved.
"How was work?" Dad asked as I got into the truck.
"Fine," I said.
"Brr," he laughed. "Damn, shut that door. It's getting cold." He twisted the heater knob up to full blast.
I forced a soft chuckle. "Yeah, it is." I paused. "Dad, do you know the roads get snowed out every winter?"
"I figured winter was going to be hard," he said with a shrug, not seeming worried about what I was saying. "But, don't worry, we'll have steady supplies dropped by air. Amka was telling me the other day."
Dad winced. This was the first time he'd said her name so casually when speaking to me.
My gut twisted at the sound of my father’s new girlfriend’s name. "Right."
"You really should try getting to know her, Willow."
I forced down the bile in my throat. I didn't want anything to do with that woman. No one who wasn't Mom deserved Dad's heart. I hated the very thought of it.
"Maybe," I lied.
We were quiet until we pulled into the driveway.
I sighed nervously, tugging at my sweater. "Listen, Dad, I need to talk to you about something serious."
"Okay," he said, his expression growing stony. "What is it?"
My voice faltered as I tried to find the right words. "It's about the mine... and the Winston family?"
Dad tensed, clutching his keys in his hand. "The Winstons."
"Everyone says they're trouble."
"Trouble isn't even the beginning of it," he said. "I'm sure you've heard the same stories as I have. Everyone here talks."
"Well, tonight in the bar, I heard that their family is involved with the mine, and I'm worried that something bad will happen."
"Nothing's going on in the mine," Dad said with a twitch of his nose. That was how I knew he was lying. "Don't worry about me," he added.
"But, Dad," I tried.
"Don't worry," he tried to reassure me in vain. "I wasn't born yesterday. I know those union-busting types. All full of hot air. Believe me, this town needs some positive change, and maybe taking care of the miners is the best way to do it." He gave me a tight-lipped smile before walking towards the house.
"Positive change?" I muttered under my breath. "How can you do that, Dad, when your own daughter is falling apart before your eyes?"
I waited for the hot tears to subside before going into the cabin.
***
"You're ours, little mouse. Don't forget."
“Only we can hurt you.”
Sandwiched between Pearce and Ainsley. That was where I wanted to be. I wanted to be with them. Be wanted. Be desired. Be fearless. Be alive.
They were in my dreams again, just like they were every night since I'd watched them commit murder.
Wow, how fucked up was that?
