Beneath the Scars (Masters of the Shadowlands #13)(100)

“Next Thursday.” Brandon grinned and bounced on the couch. “I checked on Facebook. His bank’s taking their employees and their kids to Disney World.”

Carson blinked. To Disney World?

“Bet your daddy didn’t invite you to go, did he?” Ryan said.

“No.” Anger smoldered. Even though the amusement park was really close, Mom’d taken Carson there only twice cuz they couldn’t afford it—or even do all the stuff there, either. Everett probably took his real kids to Disney World all the time.

Carson gulped more Coke. “Doesn’t matter. He’s an asshole. So what?”

“I saw his house, and I’ve seen your house. Not exactly the same, are they? He owes you.” Brandon’s face screwed into an ugly expression. “He treated you like you’re a…a stray dog, not his son.”

The knowledge hurt. It did.

Brandon opened his Coke, and it fizzed up. “No one’ll be home. Just that big-ass house sitting there.”

Carson hesitated. If no one was there, no one would get hurt. A room in the fancy house would get scorched. Maybe it would make ol’ Everett feel a bit of pain. The dick deserved some pain.

Mom wouldn’t be happy, but she’d never find out.

Frowning, Yukio paused the game and set down the controller.

Ryan snickered. “Yeah. Let’s do it.”

“It’d be funny. Sure,” Juan said.

“I guess we…” Carson stopped at the memory of Holt’s face as he talked about being a firefighter. Why he’d gotten into it.

A fire meant firefighters would show up. Everett wouldn’t be home, but what if a firefighter or someone else got hurt? What if the fire spread to other houses?

“No,” Carson said, and Brandon’s grin disappeared.

So did Ryan’s. “Why the fuck not?”

“It’s fire. You can’t control it. Like maybe somebody else’d get hurt. Firefighters or neighbors.” Carson had a horrible thought. “What if they have dogs or cats?”

Juan’s mouth dropped open. “Dios, if my dog got hurt, and I found out someone had set the fire, I’d kill ’em.”

Yukio was still frowning.

“I think…” The ugly feeling inside Carson’s stomach settled. “No. No fire.”

Brandon’s face darkened to the color of an afternoon thunderstorm. Dark and mean. “Jesus, I just wanted to help you out. Don’t go acting all high-horse and shit.”

Carson tried a smile. “Yeah, I appreciate it, bro.”

“Right. Sure you do.”

An hour later, when Carson said he had stuff to do and should go home, Brandon shrugged and didn’t say a word.





Chapter Twenty-Two





Josie wasn’t too bad at soccer. After all, she’d played in school, been to all of Carson’s games, and practiced with him. She’d even watched YouTube videos to try to help him.

Compared to Holt’s athletic grace, she moved like a spastic turtle. Even Carson was better.

Reluctantly, she motioned to where Oma sat on the back patio. “Listen, guys, I’m outclassed. I’m going to sit with Oma.”

“No, you’re not.” Holt took her hand and moved her to stand beside Carson.

His big hand engulfed hers completely. How could just the touch of his callused hand make her want to sigh?

“You need to practice with us, not just for Carson’s skills, but for your own.” The afternoon sunlight lightened his eyes—and showed his confident determination. “Let’s do some passing among the three of us. Remember to keep moving so you never kick to the same person or place.”

She stared at him. “What?”

“Backyard play is more fun with more people,” he said firmly.

“Yeah, Mom. I like when you play,” Carson piped up.

When she was young, the guys had played yard soccer or football or baseball, and the women sat on the porch and cheered for their men. Josie’d never particularly wanted to be a cheerleader. She’d wanted to play…yet she’d been willing to go sit. Funny how childhood habits could blindside a girl.

And, damn, but she loved this man. She hugged him hard and kissed Carson’s cheek. “Okay, then. Passing time.” She glanced at Oma, and her great-aunt smiled and winked.

A while later, Josie slid the ball past Holt to score and got a whooping “Go, Josie!” cheers from Duke and Wedge. The two teens stood on the other side of the fence at Holt’s place.

“Hey, Holt, you watching the game?” Duke asked. “It’s starting in half an hour.”

“Already? You bet. I need to shower, but the door’s open.” Holt glanced at Carson. “You up for a game, ace?”

Carson’s face lit. “Sure. S’okay, Mom?”

“Of course.” Josie turned to join Oma, and Holt tucked his fingers into her shorts, holding her back.

“Come over for a while,” he said.

“I should work…”

He moved closer. His fingers under her chin angled her head up. Her breasts brushed his chest and sent a shiver through her.

“Subbie, you need a break from writing.” His voice lowered. “I want you to come and watch the game for an hour.”