“Sabrine’s father is an alcoholic with a tendency to be abusive,” Loren explained to Darien and Max in a hushed tone. “Her mother passed away when she was a baby.”
“Is her father here?” Maximus asked. Loren wondered if he realized that he was cracking his knuckles. “I wouldn’t mind having a word with the prick.”
Dallas sighed. “As much as we would totally enjoy watching you beat that asshole to a pulp, he’s not coming. Trust me: he’s probably drinking his sorrows away in front of the telly like he does every day of his worthless life.”
“We’re not here to whale on deadbeat dads anyway,” Darien cut in. “No matter how much we’d enjoy it.” Taking note of the candle melting in Loren’s hands, he said, “We’ll give you girls a few minutes to yourselves. There’s someone we need to speak with.”
As soon as they were gone, Dallas turned to Loren and gave her a wicked grin, excitement sparking in her eyes. “I’m going to jump Maximus Reacher’s bones the first chance I get.”
“Shh!”Loren hissed. “Say it a little louder, why don’t you?”
Dallas clicked her tongue. “Relax, Lor. No one’s listening.” She paused, and a curious glint entered her eyes. “So… Are you and Darien…?”
Loren stared wide-eyed at her, waiting for her to finish her question. When it became apparent that Dallas wouldn’t say anything more, she demanded, “Are wewhat?”
Dallas grew visibly frustrated by Loren’s puzzled expression. “You know…?” She made an obscene gesture with her hands.
“What?”Loren shrieked, finally catching onto what Dallas meant. “Eww!No!Of course not.”
Dallas snorted a laugh. “What do you mean, ‘eww’? The man’s a walking sex god.”
“That’s not what I meant,” she stammered. She wasn’t really sure what she meant anymore, and Dallas’s description of Darien was…well, it was spot-on.
“Can you blame me for asking?” Dallas said. “You’ve been staying at his house—”
“We arenotsleeping together,” Loren hissed. “Besides, even if I wanted to, he’s not interested in me like that.”
Dallas’s brow tilted, her painted lips twitching. “Want to bet?”
The confusion that washed over Loren’s face wasn’t faked.
Dal’s smile grew. “He looks at you like he wants to find out what you taste like.”
It felt like someone had taken a match to Loren’s face and lit it on fire. “Oh my god, Dal. No, he doesn’t. I don’t know what planet you’re on, but it’s not mine.” Dallas grinned, and Loren gave a huff of frustration. “I thought you were worried about stupid boys coming between us. What changed?”
“Imetthem.”
Loren rolled her eyes. “Can we focus on Sabrine, please? There will be plenty of time for you to obsess over boys, but it’s not right now.” She felt bad as soon as she said it, for Dallas’s face instantly clouded over with guilt.
But the moment passed swiftly, as the witch declared, “I’m coming over tonight.”
Loren rolled her eyes. “Screwing Maximus so soon?”
“You know I won’t deny the opportunity if it presents itself.”
Loren gave a snort, but her amusement at Dallas’s comment abruptly faded as the witch turned serious.
“You mentioned the Devils are going to see Cain,” Dallas said.
Loren arched a brow.“And?”
“And I think we should tag along.”
“Fat chance,” Loren muttered. “Darien would never agree to that. Trust me—I already tried asking him.”
“Who said anything aboutasking?”Dallas scoffed with a wave of her hand. “If he won’t let us go with him, we’ll go on our own. I’ll follow his car on a freaking bicycle if I have to. I refuse to sit around while they get to play detective.” Dallas crossed her arms and appraised her. “Are you with me?”
If Darien were to catch them trying to follow him into Stone’s End, they would be in such crap. A deep, unending pile of crap. But Dallas was right: why should they sit around and do nothing while the Devils looked for their friend?
