I edged that way, hands held out in a placating fashion. “Put the rod down, Darius.”
His eyes flashed to mine, pure hate, his teeth clenched. It was clear in that glance that his problem didn’t have a thing to do with Brock.
I stalked forward another step, until I was at the side of him, cocking my head and gripping the bar in one hand. “Said to let him go. Not going to ask you again.”
Another grunt, and Darius jerked back, freeing Brock of his hold. Brock started jumping around, coughing and shaking out his hands.
“What the hell, man?” He screeched it as he flung a hand toward Darius who stood there glowering, a beat from losing his mind. “Are you fuckin’ crazy? That shit’s not cool. You could have killed me.”
“Out,” I ordered, not even looking Brock’s way, caught in a stare down with Darius who was about to meet the dark side of me.
“Boss—”
“Said to get the fuck out, Brock. Take a break. Come back in an hour and not a minute before.”
He warred, pissed that Darius had stepped out, but the asshole needed to learn when to stop running his mouth.
“Fine.” He snatched his phone and keys off his workstation and bolted out the side door while I remained in a showdown with Darius. The heavy door slammed behind Brock, and I yanked the rod the rest of the way out of Darius’ hands.
“We got a problem?”
There it was. The rage that’d been trying to get loose since the second I’d seen the fear in Salem’s eyes last week.
Demon ripping at its chains.
The part of me that had thirsted to come unglued.
The part that had painted in her turmoil, like that look on her face could become my own.
It seemed an issue I wanted to take it out on her brother.
Fucker had an issue, too, though, because he took a step forward. Dude was probably intimidating to a normal person.
“Told you to stay away from her.” The words splintered from his mouth.
“She works here. We’re bound to run into each other.” Couldn’t keep the condescension out.
He scoffed an incredulous sound. “Talking about Saturday and you know it.”
“She was at my brother’s engagement party. She’d taken a Lyft there, thought I’d save her the money by giving her a ride home. Simple as that.”
Figured a little lie wouldn’t hurt in this case.
“Simple? You think I’m fucking stupid?”
Asshole angled up into my face.
Had to restrain myself from knocking him flat.
Tame the beast that writhed.
One I’d promised all those years ago I’d never again set free.
“Listen, I don’t know what your problem is, but I’m about finished with the shade you’ve been throwing. Your sister has become my friend. I care about her, want the best for her, and if she needs me, I’m going to be there. So, I think it’d be in your best interest if you back the fuck off, yeah? It’s going to be your final warning.”
I let what I was saying hang in the air.
“Are we clear?” I said it as I tossed the rod he’d been wielding to the top of a tool box. Metal clattered.
He sniffed, stepped back, hatred still boiling in his expression. “Yeah, boss. We’re clear.”
NINETEEN
SALEM
The engine purred as I pulled into the driveway. You know, since Jud had gone and hooked me up with this cute little Mercedes SUV, kind of like the one Eden drove, but silver instead of black.
Putting it in park, I killed the engine then sat in the quiet comfort of luxury and leather.
Jud had to be careful, or I wasn’t going to give it back.
My friend who was far too good to me.
My bangs whipped when I blew out a sigh. I was the one who needed to be careful. I was getting too comfortable. Too complacent. Settling into a reality that just didn’t exist.
Because I didn’t exist.
Gloom seized my spirit when the thought hit me unaware.
It tried to seep in and take over.
The truth that the longer we remained in one place, the easier it would be for us to be found.
It warred with that overwhelming sense that kept growing stronger every day.
I wanted to stay. I wanted to stay.
I guessed being here with my family made it seem a possibility.
My stomach twisted.
Jud made it feel like a possibility.
But what had really changed?
The fact that Darius had insisted it was time? That enough time had passed, and it no longer mattered?
Sorrow shivered my spirit, grief cutting through the emerging hope.
I knew the lengths Carlo would go.
The sickness he would stoop to.
And that monster was still out there, and as long as he was, Juni and I would never truly be safe.
Before I let myself get too lost in the questions, I grabbed my bag from the passenger seat and opened the door.
Another week had passed with me working at Iron Ride. This week, checks had finally started coming in.
I tossed my bag onto my shoulder that held the stack of one-hundred-dollar bills Jud had paid me with just before I’d left.
Fifteen of them to be exact.
Yeah, a girl could really get used to this.
The truth was, I loved the job. Loved being a part of a team. Loved pouring myself into the work. Loved being a part of something bigger while being able to help my family at the same time.
Pride welled up. A feeling so foreign. One I hadn’t felt in so long.
I blinked against the weight of it and forced myself to walk up the sidewalk toward the front door, my heels clacking on the concrete. I slid my key into the lock, turned the knob, and cracked open the door.
The delicious smell of pork carnitas simmering on the stove wafted back.
I inhaled the warmth. The welcome of it. The onslaught of memories that rushed as I stepped into the house, tossed my bag to the floor, and clicked the lock to the door behind me.
“Hello?” I called.
“We’re in here, Mommy! You better get your booty in here because it’s almost times for dinner and me and Mimi have been in here sweatin’ in the kitchen all day.” Juni showed at the archway, hands on her hips and full of sass.
A giggle worked its way free. “Is that so?”
She gave a resolute nod. “Yup. Mimi is showin’ me hows to make all the dinners from where she growns up, and sometime I want to go to Mexico on an adventure, but only when we decide and we know for sure we gets to come back.”
Guilt swelled and obliterated the pride.
I hated the scars that had been etched on my daughter.
Seeing her then, I knew she’d come to feel the same about this place.
Comfortable.
Relaxed.
A part of something bigger, too.
This existence more than just the two of us.
As if she’d found home.
And there my child stood, voicing her anxiety that I might have to rip her from the safety of it all over again.
I wanted to drop to my knees and promise her that would never happen.
That we’d found a true refuge.
That we could stay.
But I couldn’t tell my daughter a lie that big.
I forced a smile. “I think that would be a wonderful adventure, Juni Bee.”
“Me, too, sweet child, me, too.” Mimi shouted it from the kitchen.
Love clamored through my chest when I peeked through the archway. Mimi was at the stove, stirring the meat and wearing the same apron I remembered her wearing for my entire childhood.