* * *
Preacher spent the next two hours calling in favors, bargaining with friends, and making idle threats to anybody who tried to get in his way.
Convincing the doctors to let Knox leave the facility was surprisingly easy once Nicky had called the hospital’s ombudsman and threatened to get attorneys involved. After that, it was if all the doors had swung open. Nicky wasn’t rich or famous, but he worked for powerful men who were married or family to other powerful men, and that meant something. The doctor had even agreed to allow Knox to receive his IV infusions at Preacher’s home since Pam was a registered nurse.
Even with everybody in agreement that it was best for Knox to be out of the hospital, it still took five hours before they were given the discharge paperwork and were free to leave. Cy and Nicky had stopped in to bring Knox some clothes, so he didn’t have to leave the hospital in a gown, and the boy had seemed grateful to slip on the hunter green sweat pants and camouflage hoodie.
Preacher scanned the parking lot for any sign of Nash as he went to get the truck, but though the parking lot was full, there was little sign of movement. He pulled around to the valet where a nurse wheeled the boy out in a wheelchair. Hospital policy.
The crisp air bit through the fabric of Preacher’s t-shirt where his jacket fell open, the wind whipping his hair against his face as he put Knox’s meager belongings—a pair of jeans and two t-shirts—in the space behind the seat before helping him up into the cab. He slid to the middle of the bench, seemingly content to be sandwiched between Memphis and Preacher.
The same couldn’t be said about Memphis. His gaze darted around the parking lot on high alert, like Preacher’s dogs when they caught a scent on the wind. He wanted to say Memphis was overreacting, but, after last night, he was starting to understand why Memphis talked of his father like he was some kind of supernatural evil and not just a man. Both Tennessee and Nash had a boldness to them that was astounding. A boldness that came from never having to face the consequences of their actions.
Preacher put the car in gear and turned the corner, rolling to the first stop sign in the parking lot. That was when he heard it. The revving of an engine. Knox stiffened, a whimper falling from his lips. Memphis wrapped his arm around the boy as another engine joined. Preacher went to roll through the stop sign, but they were already on them.
They passed the truck one after another. Preacher lost count after the tenth bike. They circled the parking lot like sharks before parking once more and revving their engines in neutral, hiding behind their helmets.
A horn sounded behind them, causing Memphis to jump. It was just a minivan furiously gesturing for Preacher to drive. He did. He rolled through the stop sign, pulling out onto the busy street. The tension in the cab was palpable. He could almost smell the fear rolling off Memphis and Knox, but he didn’t know what to say or do to make them feel safe. Because they weren’t safe. This was a warning. The gang letting Knox and Memphis know they were seen. They were watched.
He took the long way back to his place, looping around buildings repeatedly to make sure there was nobody following. Neither Memphis or Knox said a word, clinging to each other beside him. Preacher turned the radio on to try to fill the silence, but it didn’t work. He didn’t know how to make it better.
By the time he opened the gate to the property and drove up the long dirt drive, the sky was fiery shades of orange and pink, the sun no longer visible. He disabled the security system as Memphis grabbed Knox’s things. At the sound of the alarm disengaging, claws scraped furiously on the hardwood as the boys clamored to greet him. Bo and Luke appeared, tongues lolling, panting happily at the sight of him.
“We got company, boys. Behave,” he warned. Memphis and Knox entered slowly, both eyeing the dogs warily. “The all black one is Luke, the black and tan is Bo. You can pet them. They won’t hurt you. If anything, they’ll love you to death,” Preacher promised Knox.
Knox dropped to his knees, and the dogs instantly enveloped him, licking his face and arms and anything else they could get to as he tried to hug and pet them both at the same time. Knox didn’t speak, but he did smile at the attention. It was a start.
“This is your house?” Memphis asked after he’d gotten Knox settled on the sofa.
Preacher looked to the boy, who seemed more than content with one German Shepherd squished beside him on the couch and the other lying between his legs, head on Knox’s stomach.
He shook his head. “No. Not really. I’m renovating the property for the owner. He travels a lot. Bought this place as another safe house. I’m just doing the carpentry work. I’ve done the interior floors, the kitchen, and the bathrooms. The back deck is a disaster, so stay off it. Other than that, feel free to roam. There are only two bedrooms, but you can bed down in my room and I’ll take the couch.”
Memphis shook his head. “No. No way. I’ll sleep in the room with my brother. I don’t want to put you out.”
Preacher glanced once more at the boy, who seemed to be half-watching the sitcom on the television. “I’m not sure there’s going to be enough room for you. Knox has made some friends.”
“Rescue dogs?” Memphis asked.
“In a manner of speaking. Cy trains service dogs, and these two flunked out, hardcore. They were the worst. So, Cy and I trained them as security dogs.”
“Like K9 cops?” Memphis asked.
“Something like that. High-level targets buy dogs like Bo and Luke as a kid-friendly security system. They sell for around twenty grand a piece. But these boys are mine.”
Memphis nodded, suddenly looking exhausted. “Um, if it’s alright with you, I’m going to take a shower.”
Preacher nodded, pointing to the door on the left. “Yeah, sure. Towels are under the sink.” Memphis nodded and began to walk away when Preacher reached for him, grabbing his sleeve. “Hey, do you need something to wear? You didn’t bring any clothes with you.”
For a moment, Preacher thought Memphis might refuse, but then he gave a stilted nod. Preacher returned with a t-shirt and basketball shorts. “I’ll turn the heat on so you guys can get warm.”
Memphis started to walk away but then stopped. “Preacher?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks…for all of this.”
Preacher swallowed the sudden lump in his throat. “No problem, kid.”
