Page 78 of Maddox
Shrugging, I turn to Pops and say, “Can you think of any reason why the Aces would let one of theirs go?”
Pops scratches his head and says, “That fucker Ice would never let anyone go.”
“That’s what I thought. So, why is one of them hanging out in Omega Heights?” I ask and Pops turns to me.
“Come again?”
Chapter 16
Delaney
During my next shift at the diner, I’m on my own. Jon hasn’t replaced Darcy and at this point, I think he may have given up.
It’s been super tense at home but thankfully Joey hasn’t mentioned me staying and I’ve been doing my best to avoid confrontation. Although I have a thousand questions starting with why his name isn’t on my birth certificate, I’ve held my tongue because I don’t want to make waves.
As soon as I’m on the floor, I pause to find Maddox and an older man sitting in a booth by the door.
It’s the same man with the wild mohawk—Maddox’s dad.
Fuck me. Would one more day be too much before I had to face my humiliation again?
Although why am I surprised, since starting here, I’ve seen more Saints in these booths than at any party. I swear one of them is here every time I come in for a shift.
Approaching the table with lead feet, I glance over the table, relieved they’ve already eaten and say, “Uh, hey. Anything else you need?”
I’m avoiding all eye contact but when no one responds, I meet Maddox’s gaze before sliding to his father sitting opposite him.
When I find him staring at me too, I drop my hands and say, “What?”
Maddox’s brows furrow as his father takes a slurp of his coffee before saying, “We want to talk to you about your daddy.”
“My…dad?” I say, a sliver of unease sliding down my spine.
What could they possibly want to know about him? He’s a drunk. A sloppy drunk at that, even if he is or was affiliated with the Aces at some point.
I don’t even know if heismy dad, but I suspect they don’t want to know about the newest family drama.
“Yeah, darlin’,” Maddox’s father says, and I glance at Maddox.
Why I don’t know. I don’t really know him either, so seeking comfort or reassurance from a virtual stranger, even if he’s had his hand down my pants is beyond stupid.
“Your daddy got a job?” the older man says, running his hand through the rainbow stripe of hair on his head.
“Job?” I parrot dumbly and Maddox says, “Yeah, Delaney…your daddy got a job?”
“No, he lives off disability,” I say before pointing at the menus. “Are you getting anything else?”
Maddox glances at his dad before shaking his head.
When he throws money on the table, I can’t hide my relief, except at the door, they both look back and my heart sinks.
What the hell is going on?
Maddox
“I don’t know, son,” Pops says, and I shake my head.
“I know what I saw, Pops.”
