Hash shrugs. “I’m in.”
Stark nods. “Yeah.
As I think of Henri, I take a premature breath of relief that my brothers have stepped up. Then Hangman says to me, “And you, fucker. Enough with the camping shit. Time to kick some ass.”
He’s never punched me before, but this might be the tipping point. “Can’t.”
“Why the fuck not?” Hangman looks like he’s gonna have a stroke.
“I’ve got the kid that’s been hassling?—”
“TAKE IT BACK YOU CREEP!” The kid in question bellows loud enough to make some of the brothers jump.
“Fuckin’ shit,” I say as I bolt from the room, the rest of the guys hot on my heels.
When we get to the main room, my head almost explodes. Max is flat on his back on the floor with Henri straddling him and swinging her fists at his face while he fends her off with his hands. Brielle is standing a few feet away sobbing.
“Get off me, you stupid bi…” Max glances over to see us watching and leaves it at stupid.
“Take it back then, you jackass!” Apparently, Henri has no such misgivings. “You made your sister cry!”
“Get off him!” Hangman bellows, then steps past me and picks Henri up by the armpits. She’s still squirming, swinging her fists at Max, ignoring Hangman’s curses. He finally tucks her under his arm and squeezes her until she relents.
Then he drops her on her ass. “Who the hell are you?”
Aw fuck. “She’s with me.”
Hangman stares at me. “Where the fu… where’s Oscar?”
“Traded him in for a tougher model,” Hash says.
I swing around. “You better get the fu… hell out of my face or I’ll bury you.”
Hash smirks but takes a few steps back and slides slightly behind Coyote.
Henri starts to stand, but Hangman says, “Stay down.”
Brielle rushes over and throws herself next to Henri, then wraps her arms around her. “Don’t hurt her, dad.”
Hangman’s anger fades to confusion. “Why the hell would I hurt her?” Then he raises his voice slightly. “Do you see me hurtin’ anyone around here? I never touch you kids.”
Which is true. Hangman greets them, says goodbye, but I’ve never seen him play with them or give them much attention. Mind you, I’m not one to talk.
Brielle’s tears flow down her cheeks. “I’m sorry,” she says meekly.
Henri hugs her tighter as she glares at Hangman. “Wow! You’re just as mean as Max. Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
I hear a few chuckles. Henri is clearly channeling her mother.
Hangman’s not amused. To me, he says, “Who is she? What’s she doing in my clubhouse, and why’s she beating on Max?”
“She wasn’t beating on me,” Max injects sulkily. “She sucker-punched me from behind.”
Henri scrambles to her feet and takes a couple of threatening steps towards Max who quickly moves out her reach. “You told Brielle that this guy,” she throws a thumb over her shoulder at Hangman, “is not her real dad.”
Hangman yanks his braid as he looks at Max. “What kind of bullsh… are you saying? She’s as much mine as you are.”
“I didn’t say that!”
