Page 49 of Smoke

I shrug. “Well, until then, he gets the club and we get a truce. He also agreed to back off of the bordering towns of Crimson Valley. Said he’d go north instead.”

Omen nods. “That’s good for now. But we need to keep a close eye on it.”

As Scarrow and I finish up at the warehouse, I start to feel more hopeful about the future. Our finances are healthy, the crew is behaving, and Kane is in the ground where he belongs. And Cherry… Fuck. My baby. She’s so perfect. So fucking eager to get on her knees for me still. Even after all these years. But now I get to touch her back.

And not God nor Preacher can do a damn thing about it.

This house always makes me uneasy. It’s a constant reminder of who we were, the sins we committed, and the shame we still carry. And him. My daddy, the preacher man. The only man I’ve ever known who could love a god who took two women from him. And despite the love he had for them, it seemed to run out when it got to me.

I knock on the door, my heart in my throat. He raised me, gave me food and shelter, but the only time I ever got his attention was when I broke his rules. So I made sure to often. A belt to the ass is better than nothing at all. I’m sure a therapist would keel over at that, but it’s my truth. And I don’t regret how I came to be.

“Cherinne. On time for once.” My daddy eyes me up and down, judging my outfit like the good Lord would want. I can’t even keep the sarcasm out of the words I don’t speak.

In my tight jeans, fitted tank top, and stilettos, I lean in and give him a peck on the cheek. “Nice to see you too, daddy. You need any help in the kitchen?”

He snorts and makes room for me to pass through the door. “Cherinne, you couldn’t find the kitchen if I gave you a map.” He takes my denim jacket out of my sweaty palms and hooks it onto the coat rack.

I bite my lip, fighting the urge to bark back. “Who do you think makes all the burgers and cheese fries down at Level Up, daddy?”

He stalks ahead of me, shaking his head. “Working a grill and a fryer is not the same as making a home-cooked meal for your family. It’s no wonder you still ain’t found a husband.”

I blow out a deep breath. Here we go. I can’t help myself. “Maybe I’ll find a nice wife then,” I call out.

He glares up from behind the refrigerator door as he shoves a bottle of rosé in my hand. “Don’t sass me, girl. You’re about as much of a lesbian as I am an atheist. I don’t know why you test me. You’ve always been a glutton for punishment.”

I chuckle as I twist off the cap and pour myself a large glass of rosé. “I must repent my sins, daddy.”

He groans. “Now what’s this about you staying with Hawk and them? You know that’s bordering on indecent. What will people say, Cherinne?”

I sigh and take a big swig of wine. “It’s just temporary while my place is getting renovated. After the vandalism… I just don’t feel comfortable there right now.” I don’t tell him it was Kane.

He narrows his eyes at me. “I still don’t understand why you didn’t go to the Sherrif. Those heathens are still out there. They could come back.”

I flit past him so I can peer out the sliding door. Hawk and I lock eyes through the glass. He looks up from flipping burgers while Scarrow and Omen laugh and guzzle beer. “I told the Sherrif, daddy. There’s nothing they can do. We installed more cameras and Hawk was nice enough to loan me some of his security. I’ll be fine.” How else can I assure him? I can’t exactly tell him that Omen put a bullet in Kane’s head.

He grumbles. “Well, I still think you should consider selling the place. It ain’t respectable.”

I whip around to face him. “Nothing I do is ever respectable to you. I’m sorry I didn’t go to college or get married or become a damn nun. But I’m doing the best I can. I’m following my dreams. And you know what? At least I didn’t end up dead with a needle in my arm like Momma.”

He steps forward, towering over me. “You watch your tone, young lady. Rebeccah Bradley was a fine woman who was led astray. Now, you were a lot to deal with and I had the congregation. She did the best she could too.”

I snicker. “Oh, so it’s my fault she became a drug addict? I didn’t ask you two to have me.”

“Cherinne, you are walking a thin line right now. You might be grown, but you’re still my kid. And I won’t hesitate to whoop your ungrateful ass if you don’t watch your mouth.” His nostrils flare, his face beet red.

I’m shaking as I set the wine glass down on the table. I clench my fists at my side, about to go psycho on his ass when the sliding door flings open behind me.

“You’re here. Good. Come outside and help me with the boys. I need you to distract them so I don’t burn the meat.” Hawk sizes us both up. While he’s always respected my daddy, he’s stood between us before.

“You’re a good man, son. Maybe you can teach this one a thing or two,” Father Eli snaps. “Lord knows she ain’t never learned anything from me.”

Hawk nods and tugs me back. “I already have. Isn’t that right, Cherry? Now excuse yourself properly and come help me.”

I want to scream at both of them, but I remind myself that I’m not a child anymore. That I don’t have to put up with any of this. I can leave. But I don’t. I’m here because the preacher is the only family I got. And I’m all he’s got. So we’re stuck together in our toxic little unit.

I force a smile and unclench my fists. I pick my wine back up from the table. “May I be excused, daddy?” For a second I don’t know which one of them I’m asking.

He grumbles again and nods. “Make sure you come set the table before the food’s ready, you hear?”