“If I did, they would be right here.”

“You would not bring your bastards here.”

“I would, and I’d make you take care of them. Even make you watch me as I fuck their mothers.”

She heard her mother gasp, followed by the unmistakable sound of a slap.

“You’re a bastard.”

“And if you even dare to talk to that bastard again—if you think you can go shooting shit with the law, the only place you’ll end up is six feet under, and believe me, I will take great fucking pleasure in pulling the trigger.”

Closing the door, she hoped her arrival would stop any arguing.

Seconds later, Bear came around the corner, all smiles.

“Darling, how are you?” he asked.

He wrapped his arms around her, and she didn’t push him away even though she was tempted to do so.

“I’m fine.”

Her mother didn’t say anything, just sniffled as she walked upstairs.

Robin felt sorry for her. She and her mother didn’t always get along, but it didn’t mean she wanted her to suffer. This wasn’t the life she’d want for anyone, regardless of how they treated her.

“I’ve got to talk to you about something,” Bear said.

“What is it?”

Bear took her arm, leading her into the living room.

Removing her bag and coat, she sat down, looking at her father, wishing she could tell him, confide in him, but she had no way of knowing how they would react.

“There’s a new cop in town.”

“Chief O’Klaren, I know.”

“Has he been to talk to you?”

“No. Why would he want to talk to me?”

“He’s asserting himself as the one in charge.”

She laughed but stopped when she saw how serious he looked. “Oh, hasn’t … Preacher dealt with him?”

“We’re dealing with it, but until we know everything, I’m going to need you to keep quiet. Don’t talk to him. If he insists, you come to me. You don’t talk, remember.”

“I remember the drill.”

“Good.” He pulled her in close, hugging her. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever. What is going on with you lately?”

“Nothing.” She’d been saying it a lot lately. “You know, studying.”

“You’ve always been the studying kind, but it has never stopped you from hanging out with Bishop. I haven’t seen him around.”

“He’s got plenty of girls to keep him company. I really need to get my homework done. Are we done? I won’t talk to O’Klaren.”

“Yeah, we’re done. Robin, you’d tell me if something was bothering you, wouldn’t you?”

“Yeah, I’d tell you.” She hated lying to her father, but really, what else could she do? There was no way for her to come clean about what had happened, and she didn’t even want to acknowledge it herself.

She had to believe it would all be all right soon.

Chapter Seven

Two months after the party

“You’re sure?” Preacher asked.

“According to Thomas, his father is … not the nicest of men. He’s strict. Believed in beatings and punishments, but also, I got the feeling there was stuff he wasn’t telling me.”