And judging me, observing me, Maxwell Raith gave me one small nod. “I know. That’s why I know you’ll keep your mouth shut, but listen to me on this. The feral little wolf thing you got going on, it won’t last. You’ll get married. You’ll have kids. You’ll be happy, and that’ll soften you up. Speaking on behalf of your pops here, I hope you get that life and that’s where I’m hoping our two paths never merge. As long as you keep quiet, you and I will never see each other again. And I say that with the best intentions if you get me?”

I got him.

And I was stunned that I got him.

He left, his men moving behind him.

I heard the sound of motorcycle engines starting up later, and my dad stayed throughout the whole while. I looked up now, and once the sound of them faded, I asked, “So what do you want now?”

His eyes flashed, and it struck me deep inside. Sadness. Emptiness. I felt it from him because that’s what I used to feel, before Cross, before Zellman, before Jordan, before Channing, before Heather, before my life right now.

A part of me pitied him, but he said, “I want everything from you, everything you’ll give me, but I’ll ask for nothing.” He stood, moving around the table, and he bent. He went slow, making sure I was okay with it, and I remained until I felt him kiss my forehead.

I closed my eyes.

He whispered there, “Be happy, Bren.”

I waited.

My eyes still closed.

I never heard him leave, but I knew he did and I knew after that day, that I’d only see my dad if I sought him out.

Chapter Fifty-Eight

BREN

It was twelve minutes after Derrick left when I heard the first screech of brakes.

Car doors slammed.

Feet were pounding on the sidewalk.

There was shouting.

The doorbell was ringing. Someone was punching it over and over again.

Pounding on it, fists were hitting it and I heard from the back of the house, “BREN! ARE YOU OKAY?!”

Then, not a moment of silence where I could respond, I heard, “Dude! Check the back of the house. Maybe that’s unlocked.”

Zeke came barreling around the back side of the house, and seeing me sitting there, he braked to a sudden halt. His eyes were wide, alarmed, and his jaw tense, but then he cupped a hand by his mouth and hollered, “SHE’S BACK HERE!” He frowned at me. “You okay?” His head tilted to the side. “You look weird, Monroe.”

Huh.

That was it.