Page 84 of Crow
“You never liked him, did you?”
“I didn’t trust him, but he was okay. We were different, that’s all.”
Different as night and day.Justin had an intense hatred for his biological father and blamed him for everything wrong with his life. After living on and off the streets with his dad, the kid bounced around several foster homes. When Justin’s dad was clean, they’d lived in apartments, eat in restaurants, and had a bit of stability, but as soon as his dad had a setback, doorways, empty parking lots, and the old viaduct near the quarry became their home. Shelters had turned them away because his dad couldn’t give up the drugs. In Crow’s opinion, those years spent ping-ponging from apartments to the streets bore hatred in Justin so acute that it possessed him like a demon.
As time went on, it seemed that Justin’s rage had intensified. It wasn’t any wonder that the kids at school stayed away from him, and even though Crow tried to befriend him initially, Justin was too weird, so he stopped trying to figure him out. Their parents, especially their mom, told his siblings and him that all Justin needed was to feel loved and cared for, but Crow didn’t think it was that simple.
“Are you listening to me or dreaming about some girl?”
Valerie’s voice dragged him back to the moment.
“I was just thinking about Justin. I wouldn’t invite him over here. He’s not working with a full deck, you know.”
“I don’t plan on seeing him. He gave me the creeps as soon as I heard his voice on the phone. I can’t imagine why he’d call me and not you. At least you tried to pretend that you liked him. I didn’t.”
“He’s a screwed-up dude and probably worse now than when he took off after high school.”
“Did he call our parents?”
“No. Mom would’ve mentioned it. I’m glad he didn’t and I don’t want him lurking around them. I’m sure I’ll be hearing from him. There’s no way he’s in Alina for the hell of it. He wants something.”
“Money?”
“Probably. Oh, I found a place for you, Maddie, and Noah.”
She groaned. “Moving’s such a pain in the ass.”
“And living in this shithole isn’t? The landlord is a total asswipe. I’d love to bump into him and let my fist do the talking.”
“All landlords are cheap jerks. This one isn’t any worse than the others. You’re just saying all this because you have a thing for that snotty HUD bitch.”
Irritation pricked him, knitting his brows and thinning his lips. “I’m saying this because I give a fuck about Noah and Maddie. This isn’t a good place for them to live, and it sure as hell isn’t safe.”
Valerie’s eyes widened. “That reminds me—I heard that the shadow man was here last night, walking up and down the halls.” She wrapped her arms around herself and visibly shuddered. “It makes my flesh crawl knowing he was right outside my door. It’s spooky as fuck.”
“Did you see him?”
“No, and didn’t hear nothing either, but even if I did, I’d be too scared to look out the peephole.”
“Who saw him?”
“A lot of people on all the floors. He was shuffling up and down the hallways. It’s creepy.”
“That’s even more of a reason for you to move. I’m not taking no for an answer. You not moving isn’t an option. Got it?”
She rolled her eyes. “Do I have any choice?”
“Nope. Some friends of mine and I are coming by to move you out tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? I’m not ready. Besides, I’m tired from working a double yesterday.”
“You don’t have to do shit but look after Noah and Maddie. The guys and I will take care of everything.”
“What if I don’t like the new place?”
“It’s in a nice part of town, it’s got central AC and a pool. What’s not to like? Tomorrow is moving day.”
“You love being in charge, don’t you?”
“That’s just who I am,” he said, rising up from the couch. “I’m going to spend some time with the kids and then I’ve got to head out.
An hour later, Crow walked down the hallway toward the elevator. He knocked on Abe’s door but didn’t get any response. The guy was probably taking a nap or passed out, stoned. He figured he’d catch Abe the next time around and make it a point to bring him some of the good stuff from the dispensary.
Deciding to take the stairway instead of the elevator, Crow opened the door and descended the concrete steps. It reminded him of the day someone had spooked Angie in the stairwell. Some strange shit was happening at Madera Crossing, and he planned to move Valerie and the kids out as soon as he could.
He also needed to figure out how to keep Angie away from the building. He worried about her. What had happened in the stairwell that day was no accident: someone was trying to frighten or hurt her. That thought alone made his blood boil and his mouth dry.If anything happens to her …He let the notion trail away. Angie had a way of getting into his mind and staying there. Ever since he’d seen her at the deli, he’d spent too much time thinking about her.
Crow checked the security doors when he exited the building, and none of them worked. Anger streaked through him.I need to find this landlord and teach him a fuckin’ lesson.He marked that down on his mental to-do list as he walked toward his bike. A ride before going to work was just what he needed to forget everything: Valerie’s stubbornness, Justin’s presence in Alina, Noah and Maddie’s safety, and his growing feelings for Angie.
He slung a leg over the Harley’s seat and settled in, pressed the ignition button, kicked the starter, and the bike roared to life with a deep rumble. A few twists of the throttle revved up the engine, shattering the stillness of the neighborhood. After a couple more good revs, he rolled the throttle toward him. The back wheel spun and gravel kicked up, then the bike leapt forward and sped away toward the open back roads and a brilliant sunset.
