Page 33 of Beautiful Unity
“You’re the one who brought up my balls, Tommy.” My dad lifted his hands in surrender. “What can I do for you today?”
“Nothin’. You ain’t nothin’ but shit on my boots. I don’t need you, Hank. You’d do good to remember that.”
“Noted. Thanks for the reminder. I do have trouble remembering things these days. I appreciate your concern. That’s mighty nice of you.” Tommy sputtered, and I almost, almost, glanced up, but I stayed the course. “You know, since you did me such a favor with that reminder, I’ll pay it forward. Try the Philly Cheesesteak. It’s mouthwatering.”
“I’m lactose intolerant, asshole.”
“Shit. That’s right. Real shame. It’s almost worth the discomfort, in my opinion.”
I lifted my eyes to watch my father. His gaze held with the man in question, and I felt the strength radiating from him. This was not the same man who’d begged me to leave two nights ago in a motel room. This was the man who’d controlled most of Mississippi and had earned my respect. The second Tommy broke the stare off, I felt a shift in the air.
“You know, if the likes of you eat here, then I’m not sure I can trust it. Let’s go, boys.”
The boots turned, but my dad was one to always get the last word.
“Later, Brick.”
The boots stopped and spun around with great force. “It’s Razor, jackass, and you know it.” The air was thick with tension, and I wished I could see the look on this man’s face, but it was too risky. So I kept my gaze on my dad’s, reading his expression for all my clues.
“Agonizer’s called a special meeting tomorrow. I wouldn’t miss it if I was you. It’s a welcome home party and everyone is required to attend.”
Hank’s smile dropped and my gut sank. Tommy had the last word this time, leaving that bomb ticking between us.
Neither of us moved until the sound of the last engine was gone, and the silence settled around us in a heavy haze.
“As odd as it is to see you looking like that, it worked.”
I smirked and refilled my coffee mug. “Now you know what that son you always wanted would’ve looked like,” I joked.
Grayson had convinced me to dress like a guy, saying no one would look twice at me with thick sideburns and baggy clothes. I could already see his face when I told him how well it had worked. Cocky fucker. But he was mine, and I loved that about him.
“Oh, sweetie. You were more than I ever deserved.”
Emotion swept me up, and I blinked back tears. The more time I spent with my dad, the harder it was to be angry at him. Part of me knew my anger was because I was scared.
Scared to lose him.
Scared he didn’t believe in me.
Scared I’d disappoint him.
Scared I wouldn’t be enough.
Which was dumb. Fear would only get me killed. It had no place in my thoughts. If I wanted to be taken seriously, I needed to kick the shit out of fear and tell it to fuck off. My stubborn pride could go right along with it.
“If you’re still willing to help, I could use it. I’ve found some things, but I’m unsure if they’re what I’m looking for.”
“I can do that.” He smiled softly, happiness radiating at my acquiescence. We both ordered some food, and I shared the notebook I’d been writing in. My dad scanned through it and then the server, pointing out things I’d missed and praising me for the ones I’d picked up.
“Fuck,” he cursed, pausing on a page. His eyes shifted to me, then back to the page. “You were right. There was a leak, but not how you thought. What did you say that agent’s name was?”
“Bones. He said he knew you, that he’s known about me since birth.”
My father’s brows dipped. “I’ve never heard of an agent named Bones. You know who my contact was.”
Yeah. I did. It had been in the safety deposit box. Why hadn’t I remembered that? I frowned and placed my burger back on my plate. I’d barely taken a bite out of it, but at his tone, my stomach soured, and my appetite fled.
“What is it?”