To my surprise, Walker chuckles. “Trust, it takes a lot more than a fist fight to unman me.”
“I don’t remember it being much of a fight,” Angel says. “Seems like I jumped you, and you didn’t get in a single hit while I kicked your ass.”
Walker just shakes his head. “One day you’ll grow up and learn when it’s worth it to fight, and when it’s better to walk away.”
“Walk away?” Angel asks. “Or lay back like a pillow princess and not lift a finger to defend yourself?”
“The fact that you’d beat up a pillow princess says more about you than me,” Walker says, unruffled.
Knowing he’s a former member of the Hellhounds as well as several other questionable fraternities, I was surprised when he came to me for advice about joining the priesthood, but I advised him to the best of my abilities. Now that I’ve been around him for a few days, I’m beginning to see his potential. He’s only a few years younger than I am, and maybe it took him longer to find his way, but his unflappable air would be fitting for the church. I’m still unsure of the depth of his belief, but then, I’m hardly one to judge another man by that particular virtue.
We stumble through the woods in silence for a few minutes before I bring the party to a halt. “We should check in with Nathaniel. See if it’s safe to go back to the dock.”
Walker leans against one of the thick trunks of the pines around us. “It’s not,” he says casually.
“Does anyone know where we’re going?” Mercy asks.
“I can get us back to the dock,” I say. “We can circle around and come up from the side. But if they’re looking for us there…”
“Will they be?” she asks, turning to Walker.
“Undoubtedly.”
“I’m sorry, how did you end up with this group?” she asks, shaking her head. “We’ve met, but I’m not sure how you fit into all this.”
“I’m a hostage,” he says, sounding wholly unconcerned.
“A hostage?” she says, turning to me as if I’ll provide clarification. Surely a priest wouldn’t do such a thing, her gaze says.
“More or less,” I admit.
“Why?” she asks. “You obviously know he’s related to the Sinners.”
“Exactly why,” Angel says. “This asshole is supposed to get us in and out.”
“I could,” Walker says, crossing his arms and looking superior. “But what’s in it for me?”
“You get out alive too,” Heath says.
“I can go down to the dock and catch a ride back on my own,” he says.
“What do you want?” Saint demands. “And if you say Mercy, so help me God…”
“Safe passage, and knowing you did the right thing,” I offer.
“Is that a guarantee?” Walker asks. “Because your resident ‘roid-head seems to have other ideas.”
“Angel?” I ask.
“You get us out, you’re free to go,” Angel snaps. “I think we established that already.”
“Did we?” Walker asks, tapping his chin and squinting up through the branches. “I can’t recall. Was that before or after you tried to kill me?”
“After,” Angel grits out.
“Okay,” Walker says. “I’ll take you somewhere safe for the night.”
“Thank you,” Mercy says, visibly relaxing.
