Page 7 of Javier

One day, when they were between the ages of ten and twelve, they made a blood pact at the river—brothers and sisters through circumstance. Ransom had been part of the pact but fucked it up years later. What he had done could have brought their mom down. With no way out, he was punished and his ties to his family were severed.

Ransom left. The remaining siblings dealt with the fallout and the guilt. After all, they had hatched the idea, then planned and executed it, inviting anyone who wished to participate.

That night still hung over them like a black shroud. The upside, they often told themselves on the rare occasions that it was discussed, was that there had been no more rapes or disappearances since they took care ofhim.

Now, the daughter of Ransom had arrived in the Narrows. What had she been told? Enough, given she had his old alias—the Gray Wolf—which he used the summer after high school, when they had given each other aliases and dropped them after that night, when real life and consequences set in.

What did she want? Ransom was dead.

As if in answer, Memphis Creed appeared, wearing a palpable confidence like a second skin. Borne of what? The shoes worn earlier to his shop had been replaced by simple flip-flops. The short denim shorts and a snug soft pink tank displayed her lean, magnificently proportioned body and a lot of sun-kissed dewy-looking skin. She stood in the center of the wide space afforded by the bifold patio doors, looking around. Her eyes landed on him, and she beamed a smile that made his heart kick up.What the fuck?It’s a smile, Jav. She’s not naked, but you’re reacting like that’s the case. Why is that?

He studied her as she moved through the throng of people, raising his beer for a sip as she neared. He was suddenly parched.

“Buy me a drink?”

Brazen, like her old man. He took his time before answering, unsure where this could go. His cock wanted her. His brain wanted her gone. “What’re you having?”

“I’ll have what you’re drinking.”

Javier motioned to Sammi, who had it up straightaway and went about her business.

“Do you and her have a mind meld thing going on?” Memphis shook her head and grinned. “You didn’t even talk.”

“Family is like that.” He responded, immediately realizing his mistake.

The smile on her face spread, as did the expression of satisfaction. “Family. I guess I have the right man. You are the Gray Wolf.”

Suddenly, Sammi was back with them. “The Gray Wolf. Wow, I haven’t heard that mentioned for eons, Jav. Introduce me.”

He flashed a warning look at Sammi and sipped from his glass.

“Well, I’ll introduce myself since someone—” she indicated Javier with her chin and stared at him “—is being a dick. Hi. I’m Sammi. Jav can be a curmudgeon at times,” she said, ignoring him and smacking his shoulder, then speaking to Memphis. “New here?”

“No, just visiting. My father asked me to come see his family.”

“Your father.” Sammi leaned closer, intrigued.

“Ransom.” Javier growled.

Sammi pushed back from the counter and pulled the bar cloth off her shoulder, worrying her hands. “Ransom Creed?” Her voice climbed and her eyes were as wide as saucers as they shot from Memphis to him.

“Yeah,” he said sarcastically, lifting the glass to Sammi in a cheer, then polished off half of the beer.

* * *

Javier’s flat expression made Memphis shiver despite the warm air. She sensed an irritated man under the imperturbable demeanor. Why? She wouldn’t push it tonight. Instead, she would make small talk. It tended to open people up.

“It’s nice to meet you, Sammi, and you formally, Javier.”

His response was to take another sip of beer.

Sammi was more outspoken. “Hold on a minute.” She waved the towel in the direction of a man roughly Memphis’s age at the other end of the bar.

He came over. “Need a break, Auntie S?”

“Uh-huh. I’m going to talk to this young lady, Jack. Memphis is from—” She lifted her brows in question, expecting an answer.

“Texas.” It was good enough for now.

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