Fallen Crest Home(43)

“I texted Brandon, asked him if you were at Manny’s.”

“He said I wasn’t.”

I nodded. “So I guessed you’d be here.”

“Okay. What’s going on, though? Sam okay?”

“Caldron saw Sam at the carnival. He tried to hurt her again.”

“You serious?” He wiped his hand over his face. “Wait. Sam was at the carnival?”

“Your girlfriend hasn’t told you? Sam and Mark got jobs there.”

“What?” His eyebrows shot up. “Mark’s her stepbrother, right?”

I nodded.

“What the fuck is she doing working there?”

I didn’t want to get into it, so I just said, “Change of scenery. It was mostly Mark’s idea, but that’s why I’m here. I need to know where Caldron works and his address.”

“Oh.” He reached for a pen and paper. “That’s no problem. He lives on a place a few miles outside Roussou. It’s an abandoned farm, but his house is mostly known for partying and drugs.” He wrote down the address and slid it over to me. “And he works in Fallen Crest, actually.”

“Where?”

“For your dad, his landscaping business over there.”

“You serious? My dad?”

“Sure am. He comes here at night sometimes.” He pointed to his closed door. “And keep his name quiet when you leave the office. Those guys are sometimes his friends, other times his enemies, depending on whether he owes them money or not.”

“Will do, but this just got a lot easier now that I know he works for my dad.”

“You’re going to get him fired?”

“The opposite.” I smirked, standing up.

He followed me to the door. “You’re going to promote him?”

“Something like that.”

I reached for the door.

“Wait.” I looked over to see him frowning. “You’ll owe your dad then. I know you don’t like that.”

I opened the door this time, looking at where Adam was sitting. He and Nate were at a far table, while Matteo had bellied up right alongside the bikers. My eyes were only for Quinn, though. “I’ll have to find something else to make us even.”

He followed my gaze, understanding in his voice. “I was wondering about the newbie. Keeping him close?”

“Something like that,” I said again, giving him a quick nod. “Thanks for this. I owe you.”

“No, no.” He shook his head. “Sam came to my fight because Heather really wanted her there. If anything, this is just me making us even. You wouldn’t have this problem if you hadn’t been forced to come that night.”

“Still, thank you.”

“Be smart, whatever you’re going to do.” The guys at the bar glanced over, and Channing lowered his voice. “You’ve got a lot going for you. I wouldn’t want anything to jeopardize that.”

I knew what he meant, but as long as I had family here, as long as Sam wanted to come back and see her family, I’d have to deal with Caldron.

“I know,” I told him. “Thanks again.”

I stepped out, giving Nate the nod. “Let’s go.”

He and Quinn followed, the latter being only too eager, but Matteo still had a full beer in hand.

“Matteo,” I called.

“What?” He saw us at the door. “Hold on.” Holding a hand in the air, he tipped his head back and chugged the entire bottle. He finished with his new friends cheering him on and grinned, patting the two closest to him on the back. “That’s how we do it where I’m from. I’ll see you guys later! It was nice meeting you all.”

Nate leaned close, his voice quiet so Adam couldn’t hear behind us. “He’s like a big Mastiff. Friendly to everyone and the size of a real-life boulder.”

I laughed. “Why do you think I love playing with him on the team?”

“I get it. I hated him freshman year, thought he was replacing me. I love the guy now.”

I did, too, but he wasn’t Logan. I was ready for my brother to come home.





SAMANTHA



I was finishing my shift by taking the garbage out at midnight when I felt someone behind me. Dropping the bag, I whirled around. I didn’t know if I was going to launch myself at them or run, but my knees were bent and ready to do one or the other.

I did neither.

It was Kate.

I felt the old disdain automatically rise up. Mason’s psycho ex-fuck buddy. I wouldn’t have recognized her except for the cold hatred in her eyes. She’d filled out, gaining a few pounds since high school, and she wore a low-cut red corset. Her blond hair was pulled back in two French braids, and she wore heavy makeup with raccoon-style eyes and bright red lips. Glitter on her lipstick matched the glitter spread over her chest. She took me in as I stared right back at her.