Page 2 of Dagger's Property
“I don’t have a fake ID. They just give me drinks for free.”
Bartenders, bouncers, dirty old men trying to lure me back to their hotel rooms—they all fuel me with booze in hopes I’ll strip down and give them my body. But it takes more than alcohol and some flattering words to gain my attention.
“This is going to stop, Wynter. I’m putting my foot down. If you want to live in this house, you are going to quit the drinking and make sure you’re home before midnight. If you can’t obey those rules, then you’re on your own.”
It’s crazy looking into the same eyes I see in the mirror every day. Though, hers are always filled with so much disappointment and anger. If condescension had a name, it would be hers.
“And no more smoking in the house.”
“Good night, Gladys.”
My buzz is now gone, and the headache is already starting to throb at the edges. I step around her and head upstairs to my room, pulling out a cigarette from my back pocket as soon as I lock my door. I light the butt and draw in the nicotine, filling my lungs with calm, before I release the drag right at the wooden pane. She can choke on my disrespect as she walks down the hall to her room.
If she doesn’t want me living here anymore, all she has to do is say the word and I’m gone. I’ll find someone to crash with until I can figure out my life.
2
Dagger
“Time for church, brother. You coming?”
Rogue’s staring at his coffee mug like it’s his long-lost enemy. Ever since he came out of King’s office this morning, he’s been in a mood. I’m gathering this has to do with his dad. Got wind that the fucker is trying to pull some shit against the club again, and I guarantee that’s the source of Rogue’s anger.
“Yeah. I’m coming. By the way, after church, I need to take a ride into town. Would you and Bones be up for a drive?”
“Yeah. I could use some fresh air.” And I’m sure Bones’s eyes could use a break from those computer screens he’s always staring at.
He tips his chin with a thanks, sounding as weathered as he looks. The shit he’s dealing with is plaguing him. If it were up to me, his father would be ten feet under ground by now, and so would that brother of his. I know Bones, King, and every otherbrother feels the same. But since it’s Rogue’s family, he’s the one who gets to call the shots on this one.
“I’m gonna heat up my coffee, so I’ll be in there in a sec.”
I leave him to it and head down to get Bones. He’s probably knee-deep in his work and not even paying attention to the time. My phone starts buzzing right as I’m walking down the hall. It’s my dad calling, which has me pausing outside and answering the phone.
“Morning, Pops. Don’t tell me that truck of yours broke down again?” I fixed the thing a few weeks ago and made sure to check over the entire engine. Pretty soon, though, he’s going to have to trade it in for something new. It’s starting to become more of a headache than what it’s worth.
“Nah, truck’s running fine. I’m calling about Wynter.” My stepsister? Fuck. What did she do this time? “The girl’s gone off the rails and is giving Gladys a hard time. She’s been going on these bingers. Coming home late every night and then skipping her classes. Gladys told her last night that if she doesn’t shape up, she’s going to have to ship out. I don’t want to see her couch surfing with those lowlifes she hangs around with, so I was wondering if you’d be willing to have a talk with her.”
And what the fuck am I supposed to say to her? Wynter is twenty years old. Old enough to make up her own mind and do as she pleases. Personally, I think the girl should be living on campus. She and Gladys butt heads at every turn. The space would do them some good.
“What about getting her a dorm room on campus?”
“We tried, but there’s a waitlist a mile long for campus housing. And in truth, I think it’s only a matter of time before she’s dropping out.” Shit, that’s not good.“I’m hoping you can talk to her and find out what the fuck is going on. Maybe talk some sense into her, so she’ll get back on track. You’re the only one she’ll listen to.”
There is no talking sense into Wynter. For as long as I’ve known the girl, she’s been a fire head and set in her own ways. She’s as stubborn as they come and fueled with so much hatred towards the world and everyone in it that you can’t get past her walls. But after the hell her dad put her through, it’s of no fucking surprise. I think what the girl needs is therapy, but Gladys always wanted to turn a blind eye and brush all their problems under the rug, and now, it’s too late.
“Not sure she’ll listen to me, Pops.” The last time I came by the house for a visit, she barely spoke two words to me. When we were young, she clung to my side, following me around everywhere I went. But after I left the house, it was like I became her enemy. She stopped talking to me and now avoids me at every turn. Even when I text, nine times out of ten, my messages go ignored.
“Well, you’re my last hope. Gladys is at her wits’ end, and Wynter won’t listen to me. I just don’t want to see that girl out on the street.”
I feel bad for my dad. All he’s ever wanted was to be a strong supportive force in the girl’s life, but he’s up against a brick wall. Make that steel wall, reinforced by her hatred toward men.
“I’ll be in town this afternoon. I can swing by the house and try to have a word with her. Can’t make any guarantees, but I’ll let you know what happens.”
“Thanks, son.”
He sounds exhausted, but I get it. He’s doing everything he can to support his wife, but he’s also worried about Wyn. Maybe I should bring her back with me for a few days, so Gladys and my dad can have a reprieve. Living amongst the Savage Knights for a week should get her back in line. No one will put up with her attitude in this place. As soon as I’m done with Bones, I’ll ask Shayna if she’ll clean my room and change out my sheets.
“Yo, Bones!” I knock on his door. “Time for church, brother.”
