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My father’s long wild hair gives him a beast-like appearance, which only worsens when the wind picks up, and he locks his dark gaze on Cobain. I know my sister wants me to run interference between the men, but so far, they’ve barely glanced at each other.
Until my father suddenly focuses a lifetime of hate on Cobain. It’s as if he’s attempting to drill a rage-hole through the back of the man’s head.
Cobain, of course, pretends to be oblivious. He does the same thing when Neri watches him in her lovestruck way. I know he’s very aware of my father’s every move. Two large, aggressive men can never remain blind to each other’s actions.
Putting on a show of indifference, Cobain watches Robin sniff wildly around the yard.
“Are there dogs here?” I ask my father in Spanish.
“There’s a fancy, wooden kennel on the other side of the house. Steve put the dogs away when we arrived.”
“What is the plan for the safe house? We can’t destroy it like the last one if it belongs to the Arizona Moving Company.”
“Tomorrow,” Papa says, still speaking in Spanish, “we’ll dump this one here in the pit with the others and leave for the airport.”
Cobain’s back is to us when my father mentions killing him. He turns around and says in Spanish, “You’ll need to erase the security footage before you go.”
Papa clearly didn’t expect for Cobain to understand him. He frowns at me as if I should have warned him.
“We’re not killing him, and he isn’t killing us,” I announce, annoyed with their need to play these games. “Neri’s heart matters to both of you, so stop behaving like children.”
My father doesn’t react to my words. He still watches Cobain, who turns his back again.
“I’ll move the supplies inside,” Cobain says, walking away.
Papa watches him go and then turns to me. “I don’t want him coming with us.”
“Neri loves him.”
“No, she doesn’t,” Papa says, dismissively. “She’s confused because he helped her. Your sister’s heart is fragile.”
“Wait, are you really saying that Sunny’s only with me because I saved her? Because I don’t think you truly believe Neri is so easily confused by her feelings.”
“I meant what I said.”
“Papa,” I murmur, softening my tone, “you know how many men chased Neri back home. None of them challenged her. She didn’t see in them what she sees in Cobain.”
“And what’s that?”
“You, Papa. You know that’s what I meant.”
My father shrugs and allows a hint of a smile. “Yes, but I’d like to hear it.”
“He’s a large angry man with a bad childhood and no one to love him. And just like with you, she can wrap him around her finger.”
My father frowns at where Cobain carries a weapons bag and food cooler into the house. “He’s dangerous.”
“So are we.”
“Yes, but we’re family.”
Exhaling, I look up at the dark gray sky. “Neri won’t go without him.”
“Did she say that?”
“Of course not. Neri doesn’t talk about her feelings. She’s like you.”
“And you’re like your mother, huh?” he grumbles before running a hand through my hair.
I’m struck by the words he said earlier. “If Sunny hadn’t grown up in a cult, she might never have loved me. If she were normal, I wouldn’t have met her. Even if I had, she wouldn’t want our life.”
My father studies me with his dark eyes. “Normal is overrated. Your mother is far from normal, and she’s the best person I know.”
Smiling, I run my hand through his messy hair like he did mine. “I love Sunny so much it hurts to think she might not love me.”
“Why would you think she doesn’t?”
“I’m the first man to treat her well. She says she loves me, but I wonder if that’s her heart speaking or her need to survive.”
“Your mother had no one. I saved her from that life. But she loves me. If she were normal, she wouldn’t love me. I don’t think I’d have loved her either,” he says, frowning at the idea of not loving Mama. “Fuck it. I don’t care what would have been if we were different. She’s mine, and I’m hers. If Sunny’s yours, then none of that other shit matters.”
Reassured by his words and presence, I hug Papa. “Thank you.”
My father’s always been a good hugger, even if he hates for non-family to touch him. Today, he gives me a solid embrace before we’re joined by an annoyed Cobain.
“Can you two get your asses in gear?” he asks as he walks toward the front entrance with another two bags while Robin follows behind. “The weather’s turning to hell, and we need to get inside and lock this place down.”
Papa unveils an impression glare at Cobain. Unfortunately, the other large man can’t see out of the back of his head and misses the entire show.
“He has a point,” I say and walk to my SUV. “We don’t have much time.”
Papa nods as his gaze studies the distant road. We both know the chance of someone attacking the safe house tonight lessens with the arrival of a storm. The ground here is already muddy in places. More rain will hamper maneuverability along with visibility. Even the stupid, bald men at the nearby compound must realize that attacking a safe house on a clear day will lead to several of their deaths. The bounty might be worth a few dead friends, though.
However, hitting the safe house in the midst of a powerful storm means they might as well just shoot themselves and save us the effort.
