Three men file out, but Vandal hesitates at the door.
“Is something wrong?” Did he change his mind?
“I know all of you wonder about where my money came from, but you respected me enough not to pry.” Vandal pulls an envelope out of his pocket. “If I should…If I don’t make it out of this, could you make sure my brother gets this?”
The name Valen Linckester is scrawled across the front. It sounds familiar, but I can’t place him. “I will, but I’d prefer to hand this back to you in a few weeks.”
Vandal nods. “No one else will know about this?”
Unless you die. Then the brotherhood will pay our respects to your family. “No one will know.”
“Thank you.” He nods and walks out.
Today, the story of our brotherhood changed forever. The only question left is whether it will have a happy ending.
Bear?
Greer
Instead of waiting to ask him, this morning I bring a breakfast burrito out with me to get the paper. Why even pretend I didn’t make it for the kid?
There’s a brisk chill in the air, but the snow skipped over us, which is disappointing to say the least. Though I do love that the air smells fresher here in Silent Valley. The lack of exhaust fumes and excrement is a welcome change. “Morning, Creed.”
“Morning, Greer.” He walks over with an all too cheerful smile on his face, this early in the morning.
“You look happy today. Something fun happening at school?”
He shakes his head. “Nah. I’m just thinking about falling in love.”
Thinking about—Laughter bubbles up inside of me. “Love doesn’t work that way. It’s not a logical emotion. You can pick who your friends are. You can pick who you associate with. But the heart wants what the heart wants.”
“They say that. But I think I will just see the right woman and decide to fall in love with her.”
That poor, sweet, innocent boy. “And have you met this girl yet?”
“Nope.” He shrugs without a care in the world. “How about you? Are you in love?”
Me? In love? “I’m about as far from love as one person can get.” What is the opposite of in love? In hate? That would definitely fit my ex-husband. “No. I’ve sworn off men.”
Creed’s grin could light up a dark night. “Don’t women usually say that until they fall in love again?”
“Has anyone told you that you’re a menace?”
“That’s been known to happen.” He doesn’t seem bothered by that fact in the least.
Cheeky. “This is the last of the breakfast burritos. Do you like quiche?”
“Never had it. But there isn’t much I don’t like.”
“Well then, tomorrow, be prepared to try quiche for the first time. You have a nice day at school.”
“Will do. What are you up to today?”
Other than submitting Cordelia to the third degree? “I think I’m going to look for a job.”
“Really? You need a job?”
Need isn’t the word. “Not really. But I need to feel useful.”
