Another time Kurt had used them as a front for illegal activities. “You say you’re old enough to walk home from school by yourself, so you’re old enough to know the truth.”
Worry crossed Jordan’s face. “What happened?”
“We left because he and your grandparents were doing things they shouldn’t, and it wasn’t safe for us to stay.”
Jordan frowned. “But he’s a police officer.”
She shook her head. “No, he isn’t. He was involved with some bad men who broke the law.”
“Like a bikie gang?”
“Yeah, kind of.”
“Cool!” Jordan sat straighter. “Did he have a motorcycle and everything?”
Gretchen shook her head and placed a hand on his arm. “Not cool. They hurt a lot of people and that’s never cool.”
“I guess. Is he in gaol? Is that why he doesn’t call?”
“No, he’s not in gaol.”
“Then why doesn’t he ever ring?”
She let out a breath. “He called me today and asked me to do something not very nice.”
“Why?”
Because he was a bastard. She hated to tell him the next bit, but she had to get through to him how important it was he wasn’t alone, even if it made him grow up quicker. “He said if I didn’t do this thing, he would make you disappear.”
“Why? He’s my dad.”
She nodded. “He’s not a nice person, sweetheart. He doesn’t care who he hurts to get what he wants.”
Jordan shot off the couch. “Liar! My dad loves me.”
Gretchen reached for him and he stepped away from her. She lowered her hand. “Ilove you. I want to keep you safe. That’s why you can’t walk home by yourself.”
He shook his head. “You’re just saying that because you think I’m still a baby. I bet it’syoukeeping Dad away from me!” He ran out of the room and a moment later, his bedroom door slammed.
Gretchen sighed and ran a hand through her short hair, giving it a tug in frustration. She hated to burst his image of his father, but it would keep him safe.
She just had to get him to believe her.
Before it was too late.
Chapter 5
Arthur breathed a sigh of relief when he entered Sam’s town house on the marina. Finally some privacy. He was tired of being around people, even if he hadn’t interacted with them. Here he could relax, unwind, maybe even have a cold beer. His stump throbbed and pain ran up his entire leg. Nothing he did could stop it.
Sam tossed his backpack on the couch and headed straight to the kitchen. “Go shower,” he called. “We’re heading to the Ridge for dinner.”
No. Nausea rose so fast he swayed. He wasn’t ready for that. Amy had stayed in Perth for a few days after his overdose, but they’d not spoken much. He didn’t know what to say to her, and she had been focused on his treatment and reasons for overdosing.
“Did you hear me?” Sam nudged him and handed him a beer.
“I’ve had enough of people today.”
“You need practice with people,” Sam retorted. “You can’t stay sullen and moody all the time. You need some Lara time.”
