Page 49 of Property of Player

I wander outside and light up a smoke. A moment later, Drae joins me.

We connect eyes, and I lift my brow. “Does he know?”

“No. Not from me, anyway. He hasn’t said anything to make me think he knows.”

“How’d the drop off go?”

“Fine. I coasted up to your father’s place real quiet and let her off. She said she had a key, and I watched until she was inside.”

“That all?” He knows what I’m asking, and his eyes shift to the side. “Drae. Answer me.”

“She was upset. At first, she wanted me to take her back to the old place. Said she wanted to see it one more time. Begged me, even. I told her it was late, and she needed to get inside and go to bed.”

“And?” I take a drag off my cigarette; my eyes locked with his.

He sighs. “I told her if she still wanted to go, I’d take her by there today. I was afraid if I didn’t at least offer that much, she’d get in her car and go alone.”

I nod, my eyes flicking to the horizon. “You ever find out who she went up there with? Who gave her a ride?”

“She just said a friend.”

I shift on my boots. “But you thought it was Molly?”

He shrugs. “The chick next to her looked like Molly, but I could have been wrong. I can’t swear on it.”

I shake my head, thinking. “It doesn’t add up. What the hell would Molly be doing with Sissy? She’s years older than my sister.”

“I don’t know. I mean, if she wants to get close to power and things with you seem to have obviously taken a turn, she’s got to know she’s not going to get any of your time anymore.”

“No shit.”

“She already tried your father a long time ago. That went nowhere.”

“Wouldn’t put it past her to try again, though.”

“Maybe.” He shrugs again. “She could be trying to befriend Sissy because she’s the club princess, and it keeps her around.”

My eyes drill into him. “You ever get with her?”

“Fuck no. She ain’t my type.”

“Blonde and stacked ain’t your type? Since when?” Then my eyes sharpen. “Because you’ve got your eye on some other chick, don’t you?” My fucking sister. I shake my head. “That’s goin’ nowhere, Drae. You get that, right?”

“Yup. I get that.”

“Gage would kill you. Hell, if he didn’t, I would.”

“Look, I know all that. I’m not crossing that line, VP. What more do you want from me?”

“I guess I want to know you’re not making secret plans with my sister to ride her around town like you’re her private escort or something.”

His jaw clenches, but he doesn’t reply.

I drag a hand through my hair.

“So, you want me to tell her I’m not coming today?”

I fling my cigarette and whirl on him. “Fine. Take her for one last goodbye at the old house. Then you are done with her. No more.”