Page 15 of Snagged By Hook

“If she’s willing to let me take the shot, I’ll shoot it.” When Carl didn’t speak, Hook elaborated. “I don’t plan on hitting it and quitting it if that’s where your head’s at.” The answer seemed to satisfy his inquisitor. “I still don’t understand how they ended up with no power and a car getting hooked. How bad is it?”

“Bad enough that I maxed out my credit cards keeping the power on for as long as I could. She doesn’t know that though, so...” Carl left the,don’t tell herunsaid, but Hook heard it. “I had Linda going over and lifting the bills, so she didn’t see them until they sent a second notice for a more manageable amount. Tried with the rent, but the landlord is a cunt flap and wouldn’t let me.” Hook’s respect for the man grew.

“How much you in debt?” Hook would settle it right then and there.

“You don’t worry about me, son. By the time they come to collect, I’ll be in the ground. Only got a month left, maybe two if I did anything right in my years.”

What could Hook say to that? The man, a virtual stranger, just told him he was dying. Not a true stranger though, they were kinda brothers in a way.

“I hate the way he left ’em, but I was glad to see him go. Something about the way he looked at people, especially girls, that never sat right with me. If I’d ever seen that look directed at June? Well, he wouldn’t have gotten the chance to leave. Had I known he’d leave ’em like that? Well, I would’ve handled it, andthey’d been set, but this damn disease had me in the hospital more often than out.”

Hook saw the guilt and the look of regret; it was written in every line on Carl’s face. He felt responsible for not stepping in. Hook wasn’t going to make the same mistake.

Carl interrupted his thoughts of Nova and June.

“You’re a Bastard, and I know you’ll honor your word if you give it, so I would have your word, Hook.”

Hook was getting choked up. He felt an instant connection to Carl.

“If it’s within my power, you’ll have it.”

“It is. Look after her and that little one. They’re mine by default, and I’ll put you in the ground before me if you hurt a hair on either of their heads. And if I’m not around to do so, Linda damn sure will.” The old man chuckled. Even with the heaviness surrounding them, Hook found himself joining in. He was just stepping in as anyone would and helping her out, but Carl read more into it than that. If he were being honest with himself, there probably was more to it than that.

Before he could agree or correct the old man, Carl added another request, rather, what felt like an order. “And end that good-for-nothing son of a whore who left them this way. He doesn’t deserve to keep breathing.”

That was one request Hook wouldn’t argue over semantics.

“Done.”

That was it.

One word.

One word that settled in his troubled heart.

Nova and June came strolling across the lawn before he could think more on it. But he didn’t need to. Even if Nova never gave him the time of day, he’d keep his word. If for no other reason than the little girl holding her mom’s hand who already stole his heart with a goddamned weed, he’d do it.

A cough racked Carl’s body, and Linda appeared to lead him into the house. But not before turning her gaze to Hook. “Whatever he said? It goes double for me.” That grandma was scary as fuck.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I’ll see you two soon,” she called from the door. Before the screen closed, she turned. “Wait a minute, will you? I have cookies for June.”

Hook stepped down from the porch and stood with Nova and June. Linda reemerged without Carl, carrying a plastic container that was fogged up from warm cookies.

“Here.” She handed the cookies to Nova with tears in her eyes. “You call me anytime, day or night, if you need anything, okay? You’re family, and we take care of our own.” The woman composed herself and fled into the house before anyone could say another word.

“Let’s go, ladies. Your chariot awaits.” Hook sketched a bow before grabbing the bag Nova was holding but left the cookies in her other hand. When he tried to grab June’s backpack, she just took his hand in both of hers and leaned her head into it.

Nova stopped by the back of the van. When he helped June into the cab of the truck and deposited the bags, he turned to see Nova still standing there.

“Aren’t you going to drop it so we can follow you?”

He approached and placed his hand on the small of her back to lead her around to the passenger side of the tow truck. It felt good to touch her, even a touch as innocent as a hand on her back with a layer of fabric between them.

“You and Flower are not riding in that piece of shit. We’ll get you a safe option for work.”

She snapped her sinful brown eyes to him. “I’m not going to whore myself out for hot water and a Toyota,” she hissed through her teeth.

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