Page 43 of Her Brother's Keeper

Reaver shook his head, “Club doctrine, man. No women, no children.”

“I thought about that,” I said. “I figured I’d go over there and have a talk with the kid’s dad. I mean, he’s gotta learn it from somewhere, am I right?”

“So what do you want us there for?” Cell asked confused.

“According to Maren, daddy’s a piece of work and is where his bouncing baby boy gets it from,” I said.

“Uh huh, well, sounds like a date to me. It’s been a little tame around here lately,” Reaver said with a gusty sigh.

“You got this kid’s address?” Cell asked. I pulled a piece of paper out of the inside pocket of my cut.

“Courtesy of Data. That dude really can find anything.”

“Cool, then let’s roll.” Cell stood up and I stood with him and Reaver.

“Good deal, thanks for the help,” I said.

I should have known better than to call in the fucking big guns right off the bat. I really should have. We rode out to the address on the slip of paper and it was a fairly nice house. I went to the door, Reave and Cell both flanking me to either side and standing just a little behind me. We had our glasses on, to cut the wind, and still had our scarfs and bandanas covering our faces for warmth as we stood bouncing on the stone front stoop of the house waiting for someone to come and answer the bell. It was fucking cold out here.

The door opened to the kid standing there, a burly guy, probably the star fucking football player. Shit. If he put hands on Maren, she wouldn’t have a chance. The words were out of my mouth before I could even ask for the kid’s dad.

“You Lucas?”

“Yeah, who wants to know?” he demanded.

“Your daddy home?” Reaver asked behind me.

“Who the fuck wants to know?” the kid demanded and I exchanged a look with my brothers.

“Friends of Maren Tracy,” I said.

“Luke, who is it?”

“Some assholes, say their friends with that bitch Maren,” Luke called back.

“Oh hell no, you didnotjust say that.” Cell uttered.

The father appeared in the doorway, “What do you want?” he demanded sternly.

“We want your son to stop bullying Maren,” I said.

“I’ve heard all the bitching and complaints I’m gonna over that stupid girl. She’s over sensitive, and can’t take a joke. You ask me, she’s just jealous Luke doesn’t want her back. She never had it so good.” I blinked and exchanged looks with my brothers.

“Excuse me?” I said, not believing I just heard this asshole right.

“You heard me.”

“Sir,” I said, the honorific leaving an oily taste in my mouth. “Were you aware your son’s been threatening that girl with rape?” I demanded.

“So?” the father demanded.

“Fuck this shit,” Duracell uttered and reached past me, dragging the man out of his entry way by the front of his shirt.

“Dad!” the kid cried and darted out right behind him. I stepped aside and the dude wasn’t so fucking tough now, Duracell had a gun jammed against the guy’s forehead and was pushing him down to his knees.

“Nope! C’mere. You’re going to get a harsh life lesson on why it doesn’t pay to be a dick to people,” I heard Reaver say and he had a knife to the boy’s throat and was pushing him to his knees as well.

This was getting out of hand.

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