Page 112 of The Confidant

“It is.” I raise a brow. “He didn’t hurt anyone else. He wasn’t out of control or spiraling. He saw a problem and reacted. The offender struck first, so it was self-defense. Thomas called his old mentor when he got arrested, as he had been trained to in case of an emergency. He didn’t resist or cause unnecessary risk to anyone else involved. He was controlled and effective the entire time. Several of the police officers appreciated his instincts for trouble. The boy’s parents were happy to have their son back untouched. To me, that’s more than enough.”

They stare at me as if I’m a mystery. Something I don’t have patience for.

“Some of the people here have been in that little boy’s shoes and had things turn out very different. You’ll have to excuse me if our opinions on what I feel is acceptable risk and reward differ from yours,” I dismiss their judgment of my opinion.

“Poe,” another group leader walks by with a smile.

“Lucas, how’s Thomas?” I ask him point-blank. The person in question recently joined Lucas’s group to help monitor one of the members.

“As stubborn as he always is,” Lucas sighs and shakes his head. “But dealing well with the new group. Greg hasn’t even noticed how much he’s helping him with his temper. Lily hasn’t had any progress yet, though.”

I nod, and Lucas takes it as the dismissal it is to walk away.

“I understand if you have your own reservations,” I begin without much interest. Let them see reality from our side of things. If they’re uncomfortable with it, this will never work.

Gabriel cuts me off with a dark smile that makes my eyes narrow. “Let’s schedule a viewing of the building and speak to the men already living there. You’re wiping away the reservations without effort.”

I stare at him as I think it through. It’s a tough call.

“Poe,” Greg barks behind me.

I calmly turn to find the large, angry man gnashing his teeth. His meaty hands are clenching and unclenching in a rhythm that relaxes him. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Thomas slowly begin to move closer to us.

“Yes?” I ask him with a raised brow.

“There’s some old lady outside demanding to see her daughter. She’s making people nervous. I had to walk away before I punched her,” he shakes his head as if he’s trying to get the thought out of his mind.

I straighten, the meeting falling to the side.

“Who is she looking for?” I ask him flatly. I think I know. I just need it confirmed.

“Addie,” Greg glares at me. “How did that ball of chaotic sunshine, come out of that hateful bitch? So what if I like tattoos? I can get them all over my goddamn body if I want. It doesn’t make me a demon.”

Thomas nudges Greg’s arm with an elbow. The effect has Greg loosening his hands again as he glances down at him.

“What do you want, eraser head?” He sneers.

Thomas smirks at him, unfazed. “Are you going to bitch or guard the doors, Greg? You volunteered for the job. Whoever is out there is probably relieved you walked away. All you have to do is stand there and stare. Anyone with half a brain will stay out of punching distance. No touching necessary.”

Greg’s scowl gets deeper before he turns and marches away, cursing Thomas under his breath.

Thomas waits until Greg is in the crowd before he starts following with a relaxed pace.

I debate on how to handle this.

I don’t want Addie facing her mother head-on in front of vulnerable witnesses. It will take all the progress she’s made and throw it in the trash. On the other hand, if I take over, there’s a good chance I’ll be sleeping on the couch with Racer for company for a month.

I’ll have to keep this professional at least on the surface. I wouldn’t allow anyone to stand outside acting like an ass with so many people that have experience with that type of toxicity around.

“Excuse me,” I mutter absently and follow the path to the entrance.

“This is a public building. I can go in there if I want.” I hear a heavily accented voice snap sharply. An older version of my siren watered down with bitter anger and hate.

Greg’s stiff back is in my line of sight. He’s big enough that I can’t see past him.

“This is not a public event,” he grinds out through clenched teeth. “Members only.”

“My daughter better not be a member. She doesn’t belong here, soaking up attention like she has a right to it. Get out of my way.” That hateful, grinding tone makes my back tense.

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