Page 78 of Penn

I turn to Pacino, who shrugs. Clearly, this was covered up enough to not pull up on the dirt Scotty ran. “No, she didn’t. And he burned down her house.”

“Then he said he was leaving you for her and their child, but when she told him no, he threatened her,” Kannon says.

“Then broke into my man’s house here and tried to hurt her. Nearly killed a dog in the process,” Capone adds.

Her eyes widen, and she presses a hand to her chest. “Is the dog okay?”

The fuck? “She’ll be okay. Emergency surgery saved her.”

“And the pregnant woman… she’s okay?”

“She is.”

“Are you aware he’s a middleman setting up the pipeline for a well-known drug-dealing club out of Gravelton?” Pacino asks.

Sighing, she shakes her head. “I know what he does isn’t legal, but he swears he’s not hurting anyone. Is he hurting anyone?”

This entire conversation has thrown me off my game. I’d had two expectations: denial and defensiveness. Not acceptance. It’s a little disconcerting, to be honest.

We all turn to see the garage door opening, and Stephen’s battered face comes into view as he pulls in, nearly taking out our bikes. Luckily, he’s worked with enough bikers to know that it’s the wrong move to make.

“Did you do that to his face?” Caroline asks.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“He always did know how to take a punch. And give them.”

Stephen hurries over, shouting, “Get off my property, or I’m calling the cops!”

“Like they’re going to help you much,” Caroline says. “You promised you were done with messing around. And you tried to kill another mistress?”

“Caroline—”

“You hurt a dog, Stephen?”

Shaking his head, he holds his hands up. “I didn’t. These guys came and attacked me for no reason, baby. I swear it.”

“Why not show her the bite marks on your leg?” I offer. “Where my dog bit you when you tried to hurt Dixie after breaking into my home.”

“I have no idea—”

Pacino grabs the fabric of his right leg and rips it like it’s tissue paper to reveal bloody gauze wrapped around his calf.

“Does it hurt?” Caroline asks.

“Like a bitch.”

“Good.” Shaking her head, she glares. “Get out.”

“Caroline—”

“Fine, I’ll get the kids, and we’ll get out. But this is done. You’re not only a murderer, but you’re helping drug dealers. How could you?”

“I support this family!” he shouts. “You never seem that upset when you have the money to get your hair done. Or those injections that aren’t fooling anyone.”

She gasps. “You’re in bed with drug dealers, and you’re going to condemn me? The lives of our children are at risk because of who you work with, and you’re going to try to insult me? You’re pathetic, Stephen.”

“Caroline—”