I also make a mental note to stock the pantry with that sugary shit she callscereal. I won’t touch it, but if that’s what she wants to eat, I’m going to make sure she has it available.
“You’ll like this,” I tell her. “Trust me. It’s good for you.”
“You know what else is good for me?” Hayley says.
I stop what I’m doing and look over at her.
“Not being held captive by a devil god.”
“One, you’re not being held captive. The door is right there. You are here of your own free will. I’m not the kind of guy who forces women to do anything. Second,devil god?” I smirk.
I knew she liked me. Or at the very least, she likes my body and that’s all I need.
“If I leave, what happens to Riley? He said you were going to cut his fingers off.” Hayley scowls at me.
“He was selling shit in my club, Hayley. Trust me, he’s getting off lightly with just the fingers.”
“I’m not letting you cut off my little brother’s fingers,” she says.
“Still a choice.” I lift a shoulder. “Still not forcing you.”
“Is it, though? He’s my responsibility. I have to look out for him,” she says.
“Where are your parents?” The kid is barely eighteen. He should be living at home with his parents. But the moment I ask the question, I regret it. Hayley’s eyes water up and her face drops.
Chapter Nine
It’s a simple question.Where are your parents?It’s a common thing to ask someone. But every time I hear it, I freeze. Because I know what’s coming next. The pity, the awkwardsilences. I don’t want this man’s pity. I don’t want anything from him.
“Dead,” I say and then I hold my breath.
“How’d they die?”
When I look up, I find August waiting for the answer, but I don’t see any pity. I don’t see everything I’m used to seeing, and I’m struck by a wave of relief. “They were in a car accident. Someone hit them. They both died instantly.”
“What happened to the other driver?”
“The guy ran and was never heard from again.” I shrug like it’s not a big deal. The truth is that I’m constantly studying every stranger I encounter. My first thought…was it you?“Where are your parents?”
“Dead,” August replies, his voice emotionless.
“How’d they die?” I ask. Because, well, he asked me.
“My father killed my mother. I killed my father.”
My eyes widen and I gasp. “August!” I shriek. “I already told you, you cannot tell me those things.”
“Why?” His head tilts to the side. “You gonna go rat me out to the cops?”
“No,” I blurt. “But you don’t know me. You shouldn’t trust me with stuff like that.”
Is this man serious? Does he just spill everything to anyone? If that’s the case, how has he gotten as far as he has in life? Especially inhiskind of life.
“I know you enough. And again, you asked. I’m not going to lie to you, Hayley,” he repeats.
“That would be a first,” I huff. All I’ve ever had were boyfriends who lied and cheated. I gave up trying to find anyone decent. Not that August is decent. Far from it. Jade was right. This man is nothing but sin waiting to happen.
“You had guys lie to you? About what?”
