each other. I knew Danny was missing Wesley, but he and Breck had known each other longer. Plus Breck was freer with his hugs and physical affection than Wesley was and Danny soaked it up like the desert ground after a rain. However neglectful and bad the twins’ lives had been, they had both come out of it with an easy way with affection. From what little I’d learned of Danny’s parents, they didn’t seem like the type to be physically or emotionally affectionate with their children. I was sure I wasn’t the only one a little jealous of it.
“Do you miss your mother?” Danny asked.
How to answer that? I missed who I thought she’d been when I was a kid. But I didn’t know her now. We didn’t know each other.
“How are those biscuits, Speedy?” Steele asked, changing the subject when it became clear I wasn’t going to answer the question.
Danny took a tentative bite. “Not bad,” he said, taking another larger forkful. “Kind of good. Want to try?” he offered through a mouthful of food.
Steele shook his head. “Nah, I’ll wait ’til I’m back in Georgia.”
The conversation turned to discussions of the songs playing on the restaurant speakers and who would have control over the music in the car when we got back in. Technically, it was Steele’s turn again, but Danny threatened to shoot him with his own gun if he played any more country music. Leo, being from Texas, was pro-country music. I wouldn’t say the twins liked it so much as they didn’t mind it. It helped that they knew the words to most of the songs and had pleasant singing voices.
As for me, I was on Danny’s side.
Eventually, we finished our meals. I was happy to see Danny had eaten all of his and helped Breck finish his was well. We took turns using the restroom before we headed out. By virtue of being the most functional adult in our group, Leo had become the banker. He took the check, and I followed him to the counter.
“I’ll be out in a minute,” I said, hovering near the cash register. Leo looked between me and Shauna and then nodded. After the door closed, I turned to Shauna and handed her another twenty. “If anybody ever asks...” I said, leaving the rest unsaid.
“I saw nothing. I know nothing,” she promised.
“Yes. Thank you, Shauna. If you ever decide you want to leave here...” I let the offer hang there.
She looked me dead in the eye. “I decided that at ten years old.”
“I know the feeling. I might know someone who can help you. What are your feelings about working…” I searched for the right word. “Extralegally?”
Her eyebrows drew together, and she looked down at the dirty cash register before meeting my gaze directly. “I don’t steal. I’m not a criminal, if that’s what you mean.”
I hadn’t thought she was, but what I was offering her would put her on the wrong side of the law eventually. “Good girl. But I’m talking about taking down the bad guys. The ones the law can’t reach.”
“Yeah?” A light burned in her dark eyes, the same one I saw when I looked at the men Charlie had surrounded me with. “Like my married boss who tries to screw all the sixteen-year-old girls who work here? And fires them if they don’t but no one will do nothing because his dad is the sheriff?”
“Exactly like that,” I assured her.
“Hell, yeah, then. I’m in.”
I took one of the cards from the holder on the counter and scribbled Miranda’s number on it. “Wait a bit, I’d say at least a week, and then text her. Tell her Carson sent you.” I slid the card over to her and took another one. I’d give Miranda the heads-up. If there weren’t a way for Miranda to use her professionally, she’d find some other way to take care of the girl. “Now tell me your boss’s name,” I said. “He won’t be bothering anyone anymore. Trust me.”
I was sure it would be easy enough to ruin this guy’s life; Wesley could find time to fit it in.
The boys were waiting for me outside the car. Steele took the opportunity for a quick smoke break. It was a habit he’d picked up in the military and one he indulged in only infrequently. Breck had been strongly encouraging him to quit while privately confessing to me that he thought it looked pretty sexy. I privately agreed.