“Stop it,” I growl. I glance around quickly. “Hash is here, and probably Verity. They’re gonna hear us and come over.”
“What time is it anyway?” She looks at Max. “And why aren’t you in school?”
“Because,” he sneers as he flops down on the couch next to me, “school’s over. It’s like 3:30.”
“Holy,” Henri exclaims. “Where’s mom and Eight?”
She’s starting to get on my nerves. “How should I know?” Then I take a breath. Be the peacekeeper, Oscar.
Sean, Coyote’s stepson wanders over. He’s kind of weird, but not bad. “What’s goin’ on?” His voice always has this dead quality. His eyes are glued to Henri in a way that makes me wanna punch him.
“Nothin’,” Max says. “Get lost.”
These are the times when I stand up to Max. He’s too much like his dad. “He can stay. I trust him.”
Henri’s glancing at him, then shifting her eyes away. I can’t tell if she’s afraid of him or half-interested. “He’s not a serial killer,” I tell her feeling pissed off with both of them.
Sean’s lips turn up at the corners. He doesn’t really smile a lot. “Not yet.” He settles himself on the floor next to Henri. “So, what’s the deal?”
“Oscar inked himself,” Max announces a little too loud.
“Shut up!” I say, also a little too loudly.
“Both of you shut up!” Henri says, also a little too loudly.
Then Ash, Max’s half-brother, strolls into the circle. He’s 16 and pretty cool. His mom was married to Hangman for a while. “What’s goin’ on?” he says.
“What’re you doin’ here?” Max snarls. “I thought your mommy didn’t want you hangin’ around the clubhouse anymore.”
Ash freezes him with a look. “I feel like it.”
“What if mommy finds out?”
“Then I’ll know who narced.”
Best comeback for Max, who wouldn’t narc on anyone if he was being tortured. He does have his good qualities.
Ash looks at Henri. “Who are you?”
“Henri,” Henri says as if that’s all the explanation needed.
Ash nods. Apparently it is.
Then Brielle comes around the corner holding an apple-juice box. She takes a sip, sees Henri and plops herself down next to her. “Hi! Did you have a sleepover here?”
Good god almighty. I feel my control of the situation slipping away. “Where’s your mom?” I say, trying not to sound too hostile.
Brielle shrugs. “Don’t know. Ash picked me up.”
I feel relief that Verity’s not here, but it quickly turns to hostility. I don’t know why I care, but Brielle needs protection. “On your bike?” I ask Ash sternly.
Ash narrows his eyes at me. “In my car, asshole.”
Brielle grabs Henri by the arm. “How come you slept over?”
“Ow,” Henri exclaims.
Brielle snaps back her hand, a hurt look on her face. “Sorry.”
