Page 44 of The Reaper
I didn’t want to make Leah May feel uncomfortable, so I spoke first.
“I came to see Leah May play. Not that it’s any of your business.”
“I couldn’t care less about that,” she spat. “I want to know why you’re mauling her face in the middle of the foyer.” Then she turned to Leah and added, “Your dad is standing right over there. He could’ve seen you.”
I felt Leah reach for my hand and take it in hers, and I couldn’t stop the smug smile from spreading across my face.
“I really couldn’t give a shit,” Leah said on a whisper that I found cute, endearing even. She was cursing but trying to hide it. Even in anger, she kept her sweet side. “Devon and I, we’re together. So Dad will just have to get used to it. You all will.”
Jodie bit her lip, smiling. Deep down, I guessed she liked that Leah was showing more of a rebellious side.
“Leah, if that’s what makes you happy, then go for it.” She looked me up and down then added, “No matter who it is you choose. I just thought I’d give you a heads up, that’s all. I know what your dad can be like.”
I felt my hackles rise.
Was her dad controlling?
Did he hurt her?
But before I could question her, Jodie gave one more parting shot as she turned to leave.
“Devon, you seem like a great guy, all things considered. I was really grateful that you looked after me a few weeks ago. But I swear, if you ever hurt my cousin, I will hunt you down, cut your balls off, and feed them to my dog. Do you understand?”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. I threw my head back and laughed out loud, drawing the attention of the people around us.
“You’ve got nothing to worry about from me,” I told her, and she nodded, then grinned.
“Hi, Uncle Nathan,” she sang, her mouth twisting into a tauntingly teasing, smug smile. “I’ll leave you three alone.” She spun around and scuttled away like a rat from a drowning ship.
Leah May’s dad, Father Johnson, came to stand in front of us. I didn’t let his presence unnerve me. I’d dealt with scarier men than him. Father Johnson was a pussy cat compared to the men in my life.
He leaned down to place a kiss on Leah’s forehead and said proudly, “You were amazing up there, sweetheart. Absolutely spectacular, and I felt her, you know. Your mum. She was sitting right with me, watching you.”
Leah squeezed my hand as she replied, “I know, Dad. I felt her too.”
He schooled his expression as he looked at our joined hands and then back up at me.
“I don’t think we’ve been introduced,” he said, holding his hand out expectantly.
I took it and shook his hand, noticing that he had a limp, weak gestured handshake.
“Dad, this is Devon, my––”
“Boyfriend,” I cut in, wanting to make sure he knew exactly who I was.
His brow furrowed in confusion, and he said, “Devon, as in the Brinton Manor Devon? The one who runs that new club, whatever it’s called?”
“The Sanctuary,” I corrected him. “And yes, that’s me.”
“Then I believe we’ve already had dealings with one another over the chapel.”
He was cutting right to the chase.
“Yes. You contested our use of it, and we conceded. The chapel remains empty.” A little white lie never hurt anyone. “It shall forever remain sacred ground.”
Sacred in the way that I choose.
He smiled, but I didn’t trust him. Something felt off about the way he was carrying himself. Maybe it was a front he was putting on after finding out his daughter had a boyfriend he knew nothing about, or maybe he was simply a shady fucker. Only time would tell.
