Darcy looked as stunned as I felt. “For real?” he asked.
“I don’t want you wandering the streets for forty-five minutes. It might be a big city, but that guy is looking for you. Stay safe, and don’t waste all my gas.”
Darcy hightailed it out the door without another word, like he was afraid Diem might change his mind.
The second he was gone, I guffawed. “Did you seriously give him your Jeep?”
“Did you seriously call me Daddy Diem?”
“I…” Tried really hard to hold a straight face and failed. “Might have. Problem?”
Diem arched a brow. “Are we going there?”
“No! Definitely not. It slipped out. I’m sorry. It was weird and wrong. The point is, I never get to drive your Jeep.”
“You never ask.”
“Ialwaysask.”
Diem shrugged. “Do you want to spend our precious forty-five minutes arguing… boy?”
I winced. “Diem Krause. That is not funny, but I deserved it.” Pushing away from the table, I aimed for the bedroom. “Now move it, Guns. I want you balls deep and coming before the puppy returns.”
27
Diem
Iglared in the rearview mirror, doing all I could to assert my authority over a petulant nineteen-year-old. The golden retriever and Darcy sat in the back of the Jeep, the former with her tongue lolling and happy golden eyes shining. The latter, with his arms sullenly crossed.
“Stay with Echo.”
“But I want to go with you.”
“No. It’s dangerous and illegal.”
“Oh, but you’re allowed?”
“I’m not getting you involved, Darcy. You’re already in over your head. Do as you’re told.”
“So I have to babysit a stupid dog.”
“Echo is smarter than you and can take care of herself. It’s you I’m worriedabout.”
“You’re not my dad.”
I turned around in the seat and leveled him with mirroring contempt. “Are we going there?”
Darcy huffed and rolled his eyes. “I’m already in trouble with the police. What’s the difference?”
“Darcy, you’re not coming. Stop. Arguing.”
Tallus shifted to face the kid. “PS, bud. Diem is now using his angry voice. I suggest you do as you’re told or you’ll wake the bear, and trust me, you don’t want that.”
Darcy looked at Tallus like he had six heads, but he slumped further in the seat. “Fine.”
“He pouts like you,” I said to Tallus.
My boyfriend smacked me in the shoulder. “You take that back. I have a way sexier pout.”
