Page 62 of Cowboy's Last Stand
It remained to be seen how dangerous he was to others and what he was hiding.What if he was secretly a maniacal vigilante who killed bad men?That was farfetched.What if he’d left behind a wife and children, like Wade had insinuated?Depressingly common.
Before heading to the bar, she walked two houses down and knocked on London’s door.The girl answered with her earbuds in, hair tangled, and feet bare.
“Oh my God,” London said.“Am I late again?”
“No, you’re fine.I just wanted to talk.”
She crossed her thin arms over her chest.“About what?”
“I heard you got a ride home from Deputy Hendricks the other night.”
London’s blue eyes widened.She stepped forward and pulled the door shut behind her.“Who told you that?”
“He did.He said you were hanging out with Billy and Gabe.”
Petulance settled over her features.“Yeah.So?”
“Did he warn you about spending time with them?”
She blinked a few times.“He said underage drinking is illegal.”
“Anything else?”
She twirled a lock of pale hair around her finger, uncertain.
Natalie cut to the chase.“Billy harassed me at work the other night.Jason stood up for me, so Billy and his friends attacked him on the street.”
“Jason is the guy you brought home?He fought Billy?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm.”
“Do you know why I’m telling you this?”
“No.”
Natalie rubbed her temples, unsure how to get through to her.“I’m saying that you’re not safe around Billy.He’s dangerous.”
She gave a careless shrug.“Is Gabe safe?”
Natalie didn’t want to unfairly malign Gabe.“He’s not safe behind the wheel, I can say that much.”
London laughed, tossing her hair over one shoulder.Like most teenagers, she didn’t worry about personal risks.Natalie was torn between frustration and concern for her.The girl was being raised by a single mother who worked long shifts as a critical care nurse.She had two younger siblings to look after.She was wild and reckless, but not bad.
“We need to talk about you having friends over,” Natalie said.
“It’s allowed?”
“No, it’s not.No boys, no girls, no drinking, and no drugs.”
She made a pouty face.
Natalie’s patience evaporated.“Marcus likes you, and that means a lot to me.But if you hurt him or neglect him or take drugs around him, I will fire you so fast your bleached-blond head will spin around.Is that clear?”
“Yes,” she said quickly.“For the record, I wouldn’t do that.I care about Marcus.”
“You smoked pot in my house.”
