Page 90 of Jig's Last Dance

We were just kids. I don’t remember much beyond that Roman made me uneasy. Something about his bold stare and knowing grin crawled across my skin. As a result, I avoided him when I could.

Thankfully, he didn’t have much interest in me, or any of the children for that matter—including Bastion, who he treated quite coolly. I suspect this is where Bastion gets his cold demeanor.

I don’t know where Bastion’s mother is because she was never around, and no one mentioned it. When Roman went away, Bastion went into foster care, and we never really spoke again. As soon as his dad was gone, it was as though he didn’t know me.

“Alice, you remember Roman, hm?” Sal says as Roman turns his black eyes to me. Mustering a smile, I say quietly, “Yes, hello.”

Nothing has changed. The man’s mere presence makes me itchy, and I avoid his gaze while pretending politeness.

“Alice, yes.” Roman smiles, but the affectation doesn’t reach his eyes. I feel like a rat under the sights of a hungry snake.

“Hey,” I murmur, more relieved than ever that we’re skipping dinner.

Roman studies me intently while I avoid his gaze. What’s his deal?

“You look just like your mother,” he says, and I squirm.

“Thanks.”

Roman nods, touching my arm. I bite the inside of my lip to keep from pulling away as he says, “She was a good woman.”

Uneasily, I glance at Sal, relieved when he says, “Come, let’s go.”

Roman’s brows drop, but he nods and I grab the door to close it as he follows Sal outside. As they go, I hear Roman say, “Yates is getting squirrelly.”

Sal’s tone is arctic when he responds, “Hm. And the farm?”

“It’s taken care of. No one knows.”

“As it should be,” Sal says, and I lean against the wall by the door.

“Have you found out anything?” Sal continues and Roman grunts.

“No. If he’s around, he’s gone to ground.”

“I don’t care. Find him,” Sal snaps.

“He’s a ghost, Sal. You know that’s not as easy as it sounds,” Roman says, and I peek around the jamb as he opens the car door.

“That man betrayed me. If he’s not dead, I want him brought to me. You understand?”

“If you want him so damn badly, use her. She’s under your damn roof, after all.”

“Not an option for now. I have plans for my niece. But if it comes down to it, that fucker may find her strapped to a bed if he’s not careful.”

Slapping my hand over my mouth, I choke on the scream pressing at my throat, my eyes rolling in my head.

“And I suggest you keep opinions like that to yourself from now on,” Sal says before the door closes with a thwack, and the car rolls away.

For a moment, all I can do is pant into my fingers until a tapping sound brings me around, and I pause. One of Sal’s staff emerges from a hallway, and I muster a weak smile.

The woman stares at me curiously as she passes. Once she’s gone, I stop at the threshold and glance back.

Shit. With a strangled moan, I rush up the stairs, grab my bag, and hustle out to the car. I peel out without a backward glance, heading straight for my house before common sense takes over. Slowing, I pull to the side of the road.

Does Ben know? Is my dad alive?

Whatever is going on with Ben, he’s not going to tell me. I’ve got to figure this out on my own.