Concerto (North Security 2)

“Liam wouldn’t hit you,” I say, indignant. “You’re injured.”

“My pride is the only thing injured if you think I can’t take a punch. Besides, I deserved it. I deserved worse than that, but Liam’s gone soft.”

“Because he cares about you.”

Elijah studies me, his hard features set into shadows and edges. His face gives the impression of a cliff, something that’s been hewn over centuries of water and wind but still manages to have hard angles. “No, squirt,” he says gently. “It’s because he cares about you. Everything changed the day he got custody of you.”

I look away. Is that why he’s so eager to get rid of me? I imagine a twelve-year-old girl would cramp anyone’s style, especially a man in his prime who loves adventure. And women. My stomach clenches. “I suppose he’ll join one of the teams once I’m gone.”

“He doesn’t want to do that shit anymore.”

“Or maybe he just didn’t go because he felt obligated to stay with me.”

“He used to take any job. Every job. If it was likely to end up with him in a wooden box, he would do it. He wanted it to end that way. It was only his bad luck that kept him alive.”

The way Elijah speaks, I know he’s talking from experience. “Is that what you do?”

A humorless smile. “That’s the North brothers’ curse. To survive.”

SAMANTHA

The party goes late into the night. It’s ten o’clock when Laney comes to me quietly. “Cody’s here. He’s outside. He doesn’t want to come in.”

The hair on the back of my neck rises at her tone. “What’s going on?”

She glances to the large windows that overlook the hills. Any gathering here involves beer and an overabundance of testosterone, which led to the men competing in impromptu boxing matches. Liam was called outside to arbitrate a particularly dirty one.

Only his decisions are trusted as being completely impartial.

“He’s got bruises,” she whispers.

Birthday cake turns to lead in my stomach. Cody has always hidden his bruises from Liam—and usually from us. He must be in a bad way if he’s come here. “Should I tell Liam?”

Her eyes widen. “You can’t.”

“He helped with Coach Price.”

“That was different. He could get rid of Coach Price. How is he going to get rid of Cody’s dad?”

“The authorities. A social worker. I don’t know.”

“The man’s the only family Cody has. Do you think he’s going to be safer in some group home? And besides, you had to convince Liam to help with Coach Price. What if he won’t be convinced this time?”

For all I know there are a hundred Coach Prices working at the group home. And besides, I know what it’s like to have a father who isn’t very good—but he’s the only one you have. I wouldn’t want Cody to lose that—or to suffer retribution if his father finds out he talked to us.

“I still think we should tell Liam.”

“We can talk about that later, but right now I’m going on a drive with him.”

“Do you want me to come with you

?”

“Maybe,” she says. “No, it’s your birthday party. Don’t be silly.”

“I’m not being silly. You guys are my best friends. If he needs to talk, I should be there.” A thought occurs to me, and my cheeks heat. “Unless you’d rather be alone.”

Shock widens her eyes. “Nothing like that is going to happen.”