Hound nodded. “He doesn’t pull punches.”
I snorted and stopped, turning to face Hound. “No, he sure doesn’t. Doesn’t that piss you off?”
Hound looked at me like I was nuts. “No. I value his honesty. I’d much rather have him be real with me than sugar coat lies. I’ve had more than enough of that shit in my life.”
I was looking for an ally against my cousin, but clearly Hound wasn’t it.
“Morse and Tap have made a reputation for themselves by being able to find any digital fingerprint. Hell, Morse made a career out of it. Your stalker is eluding them, and that’s gotta feel like a kick in the balls.”
“Should I apologize for the way my stalker has emasculated him?” I asked, my tone full of snark.
“This is about more than his masculinity. This is his identity, Mila”
I didn’t want to hear excuses for my cousin’s behavior. “What aboutyourpride?” I asked, turning the question back on Hound as I resumed my march toward the exit. “You have to play babysitter to the boss’ cousin. That’s gotta be a kick in your balls, too.”
He hurried to reach the front door of the old fire station and held it open for me, despite the pain his haste must have caused. “I pay for my pride every goddamn day.”
And he’d no doubt be paying for this walk later. Feeling like a total bitch for lashing out at him when none of this was his fault, I slowed my pace again. “Sorry. That was uncalled for.”
“It’s okay. I understand your frustration.” He fell into step beside me. “But let me ask you something. Out of everywhere in the world you could have gone to seek sanctuary, why did you come here?”
“Levi’s the only family I have now.” And I had needed him. As much as Levi drove me crazy, I knew I needed to be here. I’d needed my cousin’s sharp mind and hard truths. Even if I didn’t want them.
“What about your parents? What the fuck is up with this compound you guys are always talking about?”
His intrusive question probably should have outraged me, but I was suddenly exhausted. Shock, anger, denial, guilt, and resolve had all worked me over. I’d used up too many emotions for the day, and now all I felt was numb. If Hound wanted answers, I’d give him some. What did I have to lose? “Levi and I have been excommunicated.”
Confusion etched into the lines of his forehead. “By your family? Isn’t that a religious term?”
“Our parents are part of a cult.” I couldn’t help but frown at the word. It sounded so dark—so evil—not at all how I’d been taught to see the people I grew up around. “It feels weird to admit it, but that’s what the compound is. A man we all refer to as ‘the reverend’ runs the place. Whatever he says goes, and anyone who questions him is kicked out. Permanently. Unless, of course, you’re a kid. Then you’re basically beaten into submission.”
“Wow.” We’d reached the crosswalk, so Hound pressed the button to request the light. “I’ve never known anyone who grew up in a cult before.”
“Technically, you have, but I’m sure Levi doesn’t talk about it. He was a rebel. He took so many beatings it’s a wonder he has an ass left.” And he’d protected me, just like he was protecting me now. A few of his beatings should have been mine, but my cousin took the fall for me. “I was a horrible brat to him, but Levi always watched my back.” He’d always done everything he could to keep me safe, even when we were kids. Just when I thought I couldn’t feel any more emotions, guilt found a way to creep back in.
“Somehow that doesn’t surprise me. He’s a good guy. What was it like for you?”
“Restrictive. Boring. Controlled. Since we weren’t allowed to leave the grounds and venture out into the sinful world, our moms rotated teaching duties. Let me tell you, that was interesting. They weren’t the best teachers. The classroom was small, and the curriculum was all centered around the Bible. Levi wanted freedom. I just wanted the right to learn science and read secular literature.”
“But you didn’t act up like he did?”
“No. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t buy into their bullshit, either, but our coping methods are different. I have a strong aversion to conflict and know how to say and do the right things to make people happy. I focused on my approved schoolwork and stayed as far away from the reverend as I could.”
“And that Billy the Bastard guy got you out?”
Hound had been paying attention to my conversation with Levi, after all. I don’t know why I found that comforting, but I did. Maybe because of what he said about paying attention to people to make sure they felt valued. He was right, and his attention did make me feel cherished.
“Yeah. He did a lot for me. Billy’s motives were about ninety percent selfish, but at least he helped me get out of there. And I did learn a lot from the experience.” Sure, Billy had broken my heart and given me trust issues, but if it weren’t for him, I’d probably still be living that miserable compound life. As much as I hated the bastard, I was grateful he’d sprung me from my prison.
The walk signal lit up and we stepped out into the street.
“You don’t think he killed Polly, do you?”
I shook my head. “Not his style. He’s a spoiled brat, but he’s not a murderer.”
“But what if you’re wrong?” Hound asked.
I’d been wrong plenty of times in my life, no question about that. If making bad choices was a sport, I’d have gone pro long ago. I didn’t think I was wrong this time, though. The truth of my words resonated in my gut.
