Page 108 of Forged in Rain

“Whatever. What’s the plan?” I grumble.

“I’m working on it, Rain. But the less you know about it, the better.”

“Seriously? No way. I’m fucking battling a mobster, my crazy aunt, and a bunch of scary assholes. I need to know what the plan is.”

“What do you mean?” he asks, grabbing my arm, but I wrench away.

“Stop,” I whisper, and he drops his hand with a grimace. Rubbing the ache, I study his face in the low light with a shiver of unease.

This isn’t the dad I know, and I’m dizzy under the dissonance. Where’s my fun-loving hippie dad?

“Rain, you need to stay away from Paddy McCafferty.”

“Too late. You left me to figure this out myself.”

He grabs my arm again, although less fiercely this time. “I mean it. He’s bad fucking news.”

“No shit, but I’m caught between my psycho aunt and a mobster. What am I supposed to do?”

“Just wait. I’m working on it.”

“There’s no time. She’s ready to move forward!”

“Shit.” He paces away and stops to look over the dark trees.

Glancing around, I ask, “What are you doing here?”

He shrugs. “This is a good place to hide.”

“Hide from what?” I growl.

“Rainy, it’s better if I lie low until I figure out how to proceed.”

Chuffing, I look away, disappointment burning in my chest. How long has he been here? “Have you seen John?”

“John? No.”

“Hmm.”

At least we won’t be meeting up with that fucker. “Please tell me you didn’t know about him.”

“Know what?”

“About his crazy shit. You know, with girls.”

“No, honey. No, only when Pam told me the last time I called. How did you find out?”

“Dad . . .” I pause, unable to form the words.

“What?” he asks, cocking his head to the side before his eyes widen. “Did he touch you?”

I’m transported back to Cyn when he asked me the same question because my dad is decidedly dangerous sounding right now. Slowly, I nod my head.

“I’ll kill him.”

Startled, I search his face and watch the last vestiges of the man I knew as a gentle, kind hippie drop away. I don’t even know my dad, and I’m pretty sure I never did.

“You’ll have to find him first,” I say dully.

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