Page 162 of Maddox
With a nod, Pops turns away, his back stiff, gazing out over the landscape.
As houses go, it’s a nice one and I wonder what he's thinking about when Helen says, “I need to tell Peter.”
“Don’t bother,” Pops barks and she whips her head up.
“Why wouldn’t I tell my husband?” she says, and I feel like a fucking bobble head doll when he waves his hand.
“Pig’s useless.”
“You know what’s useless,” she shrieks, and I raise my hand.
“Stop,” I growl, and they both turn to me with matching scowls.
Jesus help me.
“This isn’t helping,” I say. “We need to find Delaney and Draven. If you don’t know where they are, do you know where Snake is?”
Maybe that fucker knows something.
It’s worth a shot anyway until Helen frowns and says, “I haven’t seen him in weeks. Delaney said he’s gone. He probably ran.”
“Always was a coward,” Pops mumbles and she opens her mouth, no doubt to skewer him with her wrath if her frown is anything to go by.
“Fine,” I shout, waving my arms. “Is there anyone fucking else?”
I’m assuming my desperation sinks in because she bows her head and says, “No one that would know Ice, but I could try calling him.”
“You got him on speed dial?” I snarl and Pops goes rigid.
“Yes,” she says warily, “he is my brother, you know.”
Okay, now I’m really confused but when Pops sees my confusion, he mumbles, “Stepbrother.”
When she steps back into the house, we follow and while she searches for her phone, I watch Pops, who looks around, a sneer curling his lip.
Shit. Maybe I should have come here alone.
When she returns, she holds up her phone and he nods but as soon as she pulls up the number, he grabs the phone from her hand and puts it on speaker.
Once again, I’m reminded of Delaney when the woman scowls, and it would be humorous if my chest weren’t burning.
With every minute that passes, something bad could be happening and I’m itching to hunt down the bastard and end his fucking life, once and for all.
Unfortunately, the call goes to voicemail and Helen grabs it from his hand, mumbling, “Maybe he’s out of range.”
Pops rocks back on his heels while Helen avoids looking at anything but the floor until he says, “What’s this about, Helen?”
“It's about you,” she says sourly. “My daughter wouldn’t be in danger if you assholes would just stop feuding.”
Of course, Pops stiffens but she’s immune to his seething glare as he says, “I didn’t start this shit but when that animal killed my fucking wife, he made sure that I end it.”
When Helen touches her chest, her lower lip wobbling, Pops averts his gaze. Eyeing the tic in his jaw, I’m more curious than ever about this feud with the Aces but we’re running out of time, and I wave at the phone, asking, “What now?”
I’m not prepared when she whips around and pokes her finger in the air and I hold up my hands as she barks, “Did you mess with my daughter?”
Is now a good time to tell this woman that I think I love her daughter?
Yeah…probably not.
