Page 32 of Legacy of Smoke
POPPY
Septicemia. That was the diagnosis. Any number of things could have caused it. But mainly, it was the byproduct of a filthy environment. Lily almost died because she felt she couldn’t come home. Because Austin’s brother pretended to be him, it put a wedge between us that nearly killed my baby sister.
I know I wasn’t being fair. Or even rational. And it certainly wasn’t all Andrew’s fault. Most of the fault was with Jewel for not providing a suitable home for her child. But that was something we’d dealt with before. Any time there wasn’t food in the house, any time the electricity got turned off, any time Jewel had “guests” Lily was to come home.Home. Where she didn’t go when she really needed to because Andrew was a douche bag.
Worse? Once the Destroyers’ mechanic got a chance to check Lily’s car, we found out why it wouldn’t start at the motel. The battery cable on her car was stripped of the connection for the battery. Andrew’s M.O. whenever he got his hands on young girls. Disable the car, play white knight, take care of them, and then… ugh, fool the willing ones into a cheap relationship. That wasn’t as awful as what he did to the ones who weren’t willing. While I sat with Lily in the hospital and waited for the antibioticsto work, my sister and I listened to Austin explain why he went to jail so many years ago.
“He detached the battery terminal clamp while Brenda was at work. She came out and couldn’t start her car. Andrew offered her a ride home, pretending he was me. Of course she took it. Even if she knew the difference, why wouldn’t she accept?” He turned Lily’s hand over to inspect the hoses keeping her alive. “Then he raped her. She broke up with me but wouldn’t tell me why. And I was too busy with the club to fucking ask.” He shook his head.
Lily nodded. “When I wanted to leave, the car wouldn’t start. Eventually, I got a ride from the guy at the desk. I went to school with him. That way I didn’t have to ride with Andrew. No offense, but your brother is kind of a freak. And not in a good way.”
She barely talked over a whisper. The close call made her weak.
“Poppy?”
I hovered, waiting for Lily to say what she wanted to say, but knowing whatever it was, she needed my support and unconditional love. “Yeah baby-sis?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know he had an evil twin, and even if he didn’t, I’m not mad you hit that. Austin is an okay dude, for you. He’s a bit too serious for me. So? You and me? Are we cool?”
“Absolutely. I only want you to get better now.”
“Okay, mamasistah.”
This time, I didn’t mind the label at all.
Austin drove the truck when we went back to my house so he could retrieve his bike. I stood in the driveway as he shrugged on his coat and helmet.
“Promise me you will not go to Andrew’s with Sprout.”
He winced. “One of these days, I’m going to have to go on one of those raids. It’s part of being a Destroyer, you know that don’t you?”
“I know that they’ll have your back unless you do something stupid. So, don’t.”
Austin smiled. “I’ll be at Sprout’s if you need me.”
I was tempted to drag him inside and never let him leave. “Before you go, arewecool?”
His smile got bigger. “I think we are. Dinner next week? I get paid.”
“Why not eat here? This week.”
“I could do that. Friday?”
I nodded. Lily was getting out on Thursday. That gave my sister a day to settle in before springing Austin on her again. He rode off with a dip of the head and a low wave as he circled the end of the subdivision and passed the house on the way out.
In the quiet, I cleaned and put away Lily’s things.
It was almost eleven at night when a set of headlights blinded me from the driveway. I peeked out the window at the black SUV idling next to my truck. It didn’t look like any of the club’s vehicles. I dialed the junkyard.
“Yo, if you’re a babe, what the fuck are you doing there? Get your ass here. And if you’re a dude, fuck off.”
I didn’t recognize the prospect speaking. “It’s Poppy, Pinner’s girl, are any of the officers there?”
“Who’s Pinner? Ow!”
Jackson’s growl came over the line. “What’s up, Pops?”
“There’s a black SUV in my driveway. Did you send someone?”
