“Wait a minute, Jack,” one of the guys says. “I’m happy we can finally get the place fixed up, but didn’t you tell us how dangerous it was to leave town? How can we let these Eccles guys come in here? They killed Talon.”
“John,” my father says, clapping him firmly on the shoulder. “I spoke to you in detail about Talon’s shortcomings. We needn’t dwell on it now. Alpha Shawn has pledged his loyalty to all of you, and his pack has volunteered resources and labor to help us. I think we should take it.”
“But what about the—”
“John!” Father almost yells. “I’ll talk to you privately about your concerns, okay? Maybe tonight, after I bring you some whiskey and tobacco?”
“Okay,” John says. “We’ll talk about it then.”
Father continues his great speech, and I glare at the back of his head, the flicker of suspicion in me blooming into a towering rage.
What the fuck have you done, Father? Isolation, division, lies, and bribes—where does it fucking end?
Even though he seems to have the group back under control, I look around to find Shawn’s face in the crowd. For just the briefest second, his wide-eyed, open expression darkens, and I see him scowl at my father with pure malice.
Is it possible that Shawn really does care about these people—so much so that he can’t be bought with Father’s bribes?
Chapter 13 - Shawn
As the sun begins to sink towards the horizon, I take Sara’s hand and start to walk back towards the center of town. The place is so small, the walk isn’t a long one, but after such a long, hard day, the lack of vehicles seems like a personal affront.
Sara holds my hand as we walk, smiling and waving to people as we pass by. While I was helping repair houses, she was in the gardens with the women, pulling weeds and helping them plan a new crop.
The most confusing thing about this place is that it actually should be self-sufficient. These people don’t need to be in poverty. So how has this happened?
It didn’t escape my notice that Jackson shut down any talk of Talon pretty quickly and controlled every conversation for his own benefit.
When we come up to the main buildings and the center of town, Sara doesn’t let go of my hand, and I’m surprised and pleased. She holds on to me all the way to the house, even though there is no one to see us.
Is she warming up to me?
“You look tired,” I say as we come into the kitchen. “Why don’t you freshen up while I make some dinner?”
“You’re just as tired as me—probably worse,” she says. “You were climbing all over rooftops and putting up patches in walls.”
“Yeah, but I’m a tough guy,” I joke. “That’s nothing for big muscles like mine. I can go for miles yet.”
“I bet you can,” she says, smiling. “Okay, I’ll go take a shower, but only if you promise not to work too hard until I get back. We should cook together.”
“Okay,” I agree, excitement beginning to stir deep inside me.
Don’t get ahead of yourself. This doesn’t mean you’re getting anywhere with her yet. Take it slow.
Even though I promised Sara I wouldn’t start without her, the moment she’s gone, I start peeling potatoes and chopping vegetables. By the time she comes back, I’ve got mashed potatoes and salad waiting, and I’m almost ready to fry the steaks.
“I told you to wait,” she says, coming in to look over my shoulder.
“I know, and I broke my promise,” I reply. “But I just like taking care of you.”
She stares at me, and the moment stretches out between us. I keep looking into her eyes, those deep, velvet, brown depths that draw me in, dark portals flecked with stars of gold.
“You really mean that, don’t you?” she asks.
I nod. “Yes, I do. I’ve moved around a lot in my life, never really put down roots, but I’ve always had a deep desire to help people. It’s what led me into my work.”
“What kind of work?”
“Ah, well, I did a lot of aid programs, moving supplies, rebuilding houses, that kind of thing.”
