Page 8 of Sins of the Fathers
“Go get comfy on the couch. I’ll put stuff in the dishwasher and be right in.” Dawson gave him a playful swat on the ass for emphasis.
Minutes later, Dawson joined Grady and handed him a bottle of beer. They sat close together as Dawson found a favorite action movie on streaming. They watched for a while, just enjoying the closeness and letting the beer take the hard edge off the day.
“I wonder if Jason and Everett ever thought about getting married,” Grady said after a long pause. “They could have, even though they weren’t young.”
“Maybe they felt like they already were.” Dawson shifted to make it more comfortable for Grady to rest against his shoulder. “Jason changed his last name to match, they lived together, and they probably had their wills and power of attorney set up for each other. Plus the rings.”
“Yeah, but it’s not the same,” Grady protested. “I know not everyone wants to be married, and they say it’s just a piece of paper, but…it means something.”
Not that being married kept Mom from leaving us high and dry,Grady thought.But it wasn’t supposed to work like that.He suspected that his childhood gave weight to the idea of official vows.
“You really want this?” Dawson’s carefully neutral tone made Grady look up.
“You don’t?” Grady felt a surge of insecurity and fought to tamp it down.
“Didn’t say that,” Dawson said. “I asked what you wanted.”
Grady studied Dawson’s face for a moment before answering and saw nothing but concern and affection.
“Yes,” he said finally. “I know my parents didn’t beat the odds, but I admired the way your folks got along. I wanted that kind of commitment,” he admitted. “And after I got older, you starred in all those fantasies.” He couldn’t help the heat that crept into his cheeks at the confession.
“Oh yeah?” Dawson teased gently. “Good thing…because I thought about it a lot while I was gone. Intended to put a ring on itanda hickey. Let everyone know you’re mine.”
Dawson’s words eased Grady’s knee-jerk insecurity. They had grown so much in the past year, both before and after Dawson returned from overseas, learning to talk things out and not hide how they felt or put up a front. It was everything Grady had ever wanted with the man of his dreams.
Dawson turned so he could see Grady better, and Grady found himself holding his breath.Is he going to propose?
Denny’s ringtone broke the moment, and with Knox in the hospital, not answering wasn’t an option.
“Grady—nothing’s changed, so don’t worry. I just wanted to let you know that I got a call about a hunt that shouldn’t wait—another restless spirits case that isn’t likely to involve ghostly romance. I’m hoping you and Dawson can handle it. Colt and I will trade off sitting with Knox. If you’re okay with that, I’ll email you the details.”
Grady met Dawson’s eyes, questioning.
“Up to you,” Dawson replied.
Grady suspected Denny had found the hunt to help take his mind off Knox. That didn’t change the fact that people were in danger. They could put out the word for other hunters to handle the case—Cunanoon Mountain had plenty of Kings, most of whom were at least part-time hunters. But Grady also knew that sitting and watching Knox remain unconscious would be torture.
“Yeah, we can handle it,” Grady said. “Send the info. We’ll go out on it first thing tomorrow. With luck, we’ll be done in time for one of us to take the night shift so you and Colt can get a proper night’s rest. Or maybe Knox will snap out of it.”
“We’re all hoping that,” Denny replied. “Thank you. And be careful—we don’t need anyone else getting hurt.”
* * *
McHenry’s Roadhouselooked like the kind of place that would give even vampires and ghosts pause. The squat white cement block building sat back from the road, its single window crowded with neon beer logos. The name was painted in red on the wall, sparing the need for a sign. Even at noon, three Harleys and two pickups sat in the gravel lot. Grady doubted food was a big draw.
They had stayed up late researching the case Denny passed to them, trying to flesh out the information he had already compiled. Grady had been grateful for the distraction, even though he felt guilty for not keeping Knox as his sole focus. Dawson had done his best to absolve him, pointing out that there was nothing any of them could do until Knox woke up.
“Charming,” Dawson muttered under his breath as they got out of Grady’s truck at the roadhouse.
“They called Denny, so they must believe there’s a real problem,” Grady replied. “What the hell scares a bunch of bikers?”
“Guess we’ll find out.”
They were dressed to hunt in worn jeans, work boots, and flannel shirts over T-shirts under denim jackets. Both men had handguns holstered at the small of their backs, long knives sheathed on their belts, and Dawson carried a faded canvas duffel bag with suspicious bulges. Neither of them was looking for trouble, but only a fool would try to give them any.
The dim interior was lit by two television screens, more neon, and the rectangular fake-stained-glass light over the pool table in the back. Three men in biker vests sat at the bar, looking the part with long hair, travel patches, and tattoo sleeves. Two others sat at either end of the bar, clearly not with the bikers or each other. One man wore a blue repair company service uniform, and the other looked like a haggard salesman.
Everyone looked up when Dawson and Grady entered. Grady watched their expressions and could guess their thoughts.First, they think we’re too young to be here, then they realize we’re armed to the teeth. Now they’re worried that they’re about to meet Jesus the hard way.
