Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 125517 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 628(@200wpm)___ 502(@250wpm)___ 418(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125517 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 628(@200wpm)___ 502(@250wpm)___ 418(@300wpm)
“Have a good time.”
“I will, thanks.” Deacon gave him a smile. “You too.”
Sitting in the empty booth, Doom took out his phone, checking to see if the information he was waiting for had come through. Irritated when he saw it hadn’t, he was about to put it back in his pocket when a notification flashed across the screen. He pulled the text message up and read it carefully. Then, rising from the booth, he made his way for the door.
“Doom!” Celeste called out to him. “Don’t forget the party. I have a going away present to give you.”
“Don’t worry; I’ll be back. I just have something I need to take care of.”
“I have something for you to care of too,” she quipped back.
Doom walked out the door and headed for his bike, taking deep breaths. He had one piece of unfinished business to do before he left Ohio, and it wasn’t fucking Celeste.
CHAPTER 55
THE PARENTS
Doom knocked on the door, staring around the two-story home. The older house was modest compared to the rest of the neighboring homes. While the house was old, everything about it showed it was carefully maintained, from the short grass to the plants underneath the windows and along the walkway. There was even a plastic duck sitting on the lawn, wearing a raincoat and holding an umbrella. Who needed to watch the weather forecast when all you had to do was look out the window and see what the duck was wearing?
The door opening had Doom turning back toward it.
“Doom?”
“Blue.”
Tink’s brother held the door as if afraid he would barge inside without an invitation. He would if he had to, but Doom preferred to play nice at first.
“Mind if I come inside?” Doom stared the boy down.
“Sure.” Blue reluctantly opened the door wider.
Striding inside the entryway, Doom looked around while Blue stood there uncomfortably. The entryway allowed him to see that the living room was to the right and a formal dining room on the left. To his right was where Doom discovered why Blue was so nervous.
A frail woman was sitting on a chair in the living room. Even from where he was standing, Doom could see the gray color of her skin. Her mouth was open, as if she wasn’t getting enough air, even with the oxygen bubbling next to her.
“What can I do for you?” Blue asked nervously, glancing toward his mother.
“I’d like to have a quick chat with your dad.”
“Dad is sleeping…” Blue started making faces that his mother couldn’t see. Doom got the unspoken entreaty not to upset his mother.
“Who is it, Luc?”
Pushing past Blue, Doom strode into the living room. “Hi, I’m a friend of Andy’s. I just wanted to stop by and thank your family for all you did.”
“No thanks are needed.” Tink’s mother’s pain-filled face broke into a smile. “It was our pleasure for what he did for our family. I wish he had allowed us to do more.”
“You did more than enough. I’m sorry, I should have introduced myself first.” Doom held out his hand. “Karson Foster.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Foster. My name is Mary.”
“Nice to meet you as well. I was hoping to thank your husband as well, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble?”
“Not at all. He just woke up from a nap. I’m afraid he isn’t able to leave his bedroom, but Luc can show you to his room.”
“I would appreciate it. I promise I won’t take up too much of his time.”
“Take as much time as you’d like. I’m sure my husband would appreciate the company,” she assured him warmly.
Doom looked over Tink’s mother’s shoulder to where Blue was standing behind her.
“Lead the way.” He pasted a polite smile on his lips while making sure Blue could see he wouldn’t allow any interference from speaking to his father.
Satisfied from the slump of Blue’s shoulders that he had received his message, Doom moved around the chair to follow him.
The living room led to a small hallway that had a closed door. Blue’s hand shook as it went to the doorknob.
“My dad’s in bad health. What did you want to talk to him about?” Blue stared at him pleadingly. “I haven’t told him about me hanging out with Puck, Jesus, and Buck.”
“I’m not here about you,” Doom told him shortly.
He frowned. “You’re not? Then why—”
“Blue, open the door.”
He did and went inside. Doom went in after him, seeing a slender man resting on the bed, breathing through an oxygen tube. As he drew closer, he could see the blue tint on his lips.
“Dad, this is—”
“I know who he is, Luc.”
The thin, whispery voice might have surprised Luc, but it didn’t him.
“You can leave, and shut the door behind you.”
“Are you sure?” Luc didn’t want to leave.
“I’m sure, son. Go on.”
Standing with his feet apart, Doom crossed his arms over his chest, uncompromisingly showing the strength and the formidable power his body was capable of.