It was hard to say who was more excited after the taxi dropped them off at the Dodge dealership, Dillon or the salesman. Dillon spoke the words that were there shimmering in the salesman’s features. “You mean it? I can take any car I want?”
“So long as we can drive it away today.”
The salesman was named Chet, who weighed a touch under nine hundred pounds. He didn’t swoon at Carver’s words. He did, however, quiver.
Dillon wore an expression Sean had last seen in some black-and-white film, where the guy has just heard that the girl he’s been yearning over for the past ninety minutes actually loves him too. “There’s one right over there.”
The car was silver, which was the only thing that kept it from being a total redneck mobile, as far as Sean was concerned. But give Dillon access to some paste-on flames, and Sean was certain his brother would correct that.
Carver said, “Tell me what I am seeing.”
Which was when Sean realized Carver was trying hard not to laugh.
Right then and there, Sean started getting annoyed. The only person allowed to laugh at his brother was him. Especially now. When Dillon was about eighteen feet from his second-biggest dream come true.
Dillon, however, only had eyes for the monster on wheels. “That is a Dodge Charger SXT. Six-point-four-liter V8, power shifters, twenty-inch wheels . . .” He looked at the salesman. “What’s the interior?”
“Red on black, sir. Special SXT stitching. Glove leather. And don’t forget the ten-speaker Beats audio system—”
“With the five-hundred-watt puncher.” Dillon sighed. “Perfect.”
“Would you gentlemen care to take her for a drive?”
“After we complete the purchase,” Carver replied, reaching into his pocket and handing over his plastic.
Carver and Dillon headed for the desk where Chet wedged himself into a chair and started writing. Sean walked over to the dealership’s front window and stared sullenly at the sunset view. The flags flapped in the late May breeze. He checked his watch, then used his phone to call home. He told his mother that he and Dillon were on an errand, so they’d have dinner with a friend. He hung up and hoped the word actually fit. That Carver was a friend. But he had his doubts. Serious ones.
Carver walked up beside him. “I know this is not your preference.”
Sean heard the quiet underlay of accent, like a spice too subtle to actually be tasted as something separate. Which only made his suspicions grow.
“You would prefer the . . . how do you say it . . . Beemer?”
Knowing the man had monitored their most private conversations really rankled. “I don’t want anything from you. Except what you won’t give. Some honest answers.”
“I have not lied to you and I never will.”
Sean turned so he could look over to where Chet walked Dillon around the SXT, explaining the features. “What kind of guy buys a seventeen-year-old stranger a fifty-five-thousand-dollar car?”
“The car is mine.”
“Oh. Right.” Sean had enough heat to meet the fathomless gaze. “Do you even know how to drive?”
Carver showed no heat. “Theoretically.”
Sean turned back to the sunset. “Great.”
“Tell me what is troubling you.”
“I just did.” But the man stood there, waiting, so he said, “I want to know what you’re expecting to get in return for this.”
Carver nodded. “I understand.” He pointed to the car. “You think I am doing this so you will be in my debt. That is incorrect. This is intended as a reward.”
“Like walking through the wall wasn’t enough?”
“Look at your brother. The young man who could not do what you did until you taught him how. He showed a fear you did not even feel.”
“I was scared.”
“No. You doubted. But you knew no fear.” Carver gave him a chance to argue. Then he went on, “Your brother has a warrior’s heart. He is simple in his actions and his aims. He responds well to instruction and reward. He needs to be focused in the correct direction. I am speaking to him as one soldier to another.”
Sean liked being able to look at him directly. It felt like he had crossed over some threshold, meeting the man’s gaze. “What are you enlisting him for?”
“An excellent question.” Carver aimed his stump at the pair. “Let us complete this purchase, and then I will answer.”