The Davenport Christmas Chronicles - Piper Davenport Page 0,48
up soon. When I got to school, Scott had already arrived with Hamlet’s cage, but I knew the second I saw Mrs. Bonnet’s face that Hamlet was dead.”
“Aw, shit.”
“Scott brought him home, set the cage down in his room, then split for the long weekend. He left Hamlet alone in his cage for three days without food or water while he rode dirt bikes up at Moses Lake.”
I knew Hatch enough to know that he wasn’t sharing this shitty childhood memory with me for nothing.
“Later that day, during our lunch break, I heard Scott talking with a couple of his friends. He was laughing about what Hamlet’s body looked like when he found him, and my blood began to burn like battery acid in my veins. Then he said something I’ll never forget.”
I leaned in. “What?”
“He said, ‘That little rat was lucky it died the way it did, because I was gonna do experiments on it when I got home.’”
“Holy shit.”
“I felt a rage inside me like I’d never felt before, and I almost blacked out. I remember feeling disconnected from myself, almost like an observer, and I watched myself run at Scott as fast as I could and tackle him to the ground.”
“Sounds familiar,” I said, and Hatch looked at me surprised, as if he truly had not made the connection between this childhood event and him sacking me during our club dinner game.
“I guess that sort of makes my point for me,” Hatch said.
“What is your point, Hatch?”
“I’d never been in a fight before that day, let alone started one, but the love I felt for that little creature caused me to smash that kid’s face into a pulp that day. The thought of him neglecting Hamlet was enough, but that he’d willingly inflict pain on something I loved was too much. They had to put a cast on my right hand, as I’d broken it so badly while wailing on Scott’s face. His jaw was wired shut for six weeks and he lost the hearing in his right ear.”
“Jesus. Where is he now?”
“He died in prison twelve years ago, but that’s not important. What’s important is Christina, and the lengths that I will go through to keep her safe.”
“Hatch, you know I—”
“The only thing I know about you is that you seem to attract trouble, and trouble means my baby sister is in danger.”
“She’s not a baby and I can protect her now.”
“Can you? So far, all you’ve done since you’ve met is put her in harm’s way. Look, Minus. I know my sister, and I know she’s all in with you and your club. I also know that there’s nothing I can do about that, and the more I try, the more she’ll dig in.”
“What the fuck can I do about that, Hatch? We’re in love and we’re going to get married. I may not be the man you’d envisioned for your sister, but I’m the man she’s chosen, and you need to get used to that.”
“You’re right, and believe it or not, I’m warming up to the idea, and to you frankly. But I told you that story to let you know that day on the school yard was ground zero. I love my sister a hell of a lot more than a hamster, and I’ve learned to hit a lot harder since then. Neglect would be enough of a reason to deserve a beating, but intentionally causing harm is another thing all together. I just wanted to let you know that.”
“Sounds less like a story and more like a threat,” I said.
“Violence is never my plan, Minus, but when it comes to protecting my sister from you, I’m keeping my options open.”
“I appreciate your honesty,” I laughed sarcastically.
“You should. It’s only because I respect you and understand what you’re up against with your club that I’m giving you this courtesy. And it’s because my sister loves you that I’m hell-bent on seeing in you what she does, but until then, I’m gonna continue to watch you with my suspicious eye.” Hatch paused. “But I’m also gonna offer my hand of support. I hate that Cricket’s with a biker. It’s not at all the life I wanted for her, but it’s the life I raised her around, so I can’t be too pissed. So, for now, I’ve got your back, but cross me or hurt my sister and I’ll burn your shit to the ground.”