Page 33 of Rebel
Stryker stands facing the wall, staring at it until he realizes I’ve stopped and my attention is on him now. His head turns, and our eyes meet.
I’ve seen people with darkness in their eyes before now, but it’s nothing compared to this guy. His eyes are almost dead. Almost.
Something flickers in them when he glances to the left of where he’s standing. He frowns when he sees the women walking towards the doors, as if surprised to find them there. I glance over too and remember Laurel talking about how they hold children’s classes in the church sometimes.
This must be one of those days because the more I become aware of my surroundings, the more I notice cars pulling up and the sound of small children’s giggles.
Stryker could have been standing watching me for minutes or hours, he seems like that kind of guy, but his discomfort is clear now. Some kids stare at him as they pass, the moms holding their hands and encouraging them away with wary looks at the huge biker.
His fists clench but something tells me it’s not about the kids fearing him. I’m not sure what possesses me, but the way he is standing there tells me he has something on his mind.
“There is a small chapel.”
He doesn’t acknowledge that he heard me.
“Not many people know about it. It’s private.”
I found it when I was exploring one night after dinner. Marisol told me it’s where Colt takes visiting priests for privacy. It’s not exactly off limits but people don’t know about it.
There is a side entrance that opens into the corridor which leads down to the chapel, it’s near my annex.
Patrick locks all the doors before he heads home at night, but throughout the day, everywhere is open.
“Colton won’t mind, Father Eastwood,” I correct myself. “If you want to use it.”
His shoulders shift.
“It’s up to you,” I shrug. “There is a door just around the corner, follow the hall to the left and the chapel is there.”
“Thank you.”
I’m startled by his voice, but do my best not to show it. Stryker seems conflicted, but as the noise increases and he spots a particular woman approaching, he nods my way, then leaves.
Watching over my shoulder, I keep my eyes on him until he gets on his bike and rides away.
“Was Stryker just talking to you?” Dana asks.
“If you consider two words him talking to me.”
I set down the roller on the sheet I’m using to keep paint splashes off the sidewalk. It’s getting busier now and I feel a little like doing what Stryker just did.
Dana looks uncomfortable and a touch forlorn after Stryker saw her and left.
“Are you here for this?” I nod towards the church, hoping to take her mind off him.
“Not really,” she ducks her head. “I’m meeting the girls for coffee. You should come,” she adds.
Over her shoulder, I see Katrina walking toward us. The woman has done nothing to make me uneasy, but knowing she slept with Rebel doesn’t sit right with me for… reasons.
“I’m a mess, I need to tidy things up, shower, and eat, and I’m so tired I’d be terrible company.”
“If you change your mind.”
“Change your mind about what?”
Katrina stops beside her friend and gives her an air kiss, then smiles at me. It’s a nice, friendly smile, but there is an edge to it. I makeheruneasy.
She has nothing to worry about. I’ve no intention of seeing Rebel again, or doing any of the things we did again. Not at all.
