Incendiary (Inferno 4)

Chapter Fourteen

“I didn’t want things to be like this, you know. I thought, after Jocelyn and her brothers, I had finally gotten it right with you. But you let me down, Darbs, just like the rest.”

I sigh as I glance up at the afternoon sky before I turn my eyes back down toward her.

“Those two fuckups are finally starting to get along. They’re understanding what it means to be a member of this family and while I know it’s not what you wanted, it’s the way things are.”

I run a hand back through my hair as I lower my leg from the edge of the oubliette and reach for the gate.

“I’ll be back to visit with you tonight. I got to run into town to get some things, but I just wanted you to know that they’re finally figuring it out and you should be proud of them. Lord knows that one of us has to be.”

I pull the gate over the opening, then slide the latch in place.

I’ve decided to go into town ahead of time to stock up on some things we’re running low on because I plan on making them learn and practice every day until they don’t need my guidance any longer.

Walking over to the truck, I take my keys out of my pocket, then pull the door open, glancing at the main floor before I get in.

They’re still in the dining room.

I can see Richter pulling the tablecloth off the table and Skylar walking out of the room with the spare plates and glasses bundled in his arms.

They’ll keep busy and, hopefully, they’ll also keep their goddamn hands off each other until I get back.

Any lessons learned outside of what I teach them will have to be untaught and I’m not interested in spending more time on this shit than I have to.

I place the key in the ignition, bring the engine to life, then adjust the rear-view mirror before I begin backing down the long driveway.

My home is a few miles off the road because privacy is key when you have a family like mine, and I’m not interested in unwanted guests showing up at my door.

The last time that happened, everything went to hell, and I was forced to get rid of two-thirds of the trio of fuckups I had at the time.

I chuckle as I find a spot to be able to turn the truck around and then rub my eyes tiredly.

Everything seems to happen before it should when it comes to these kids, but there’s always someone new to warm my bed while I wait for new additions.

I haven’t moved on Skylar the way I did with my other girls because I know she’s not mine to keep.

No matter how sweet that pussy of hers tastes.

Once I finally get to the main road, I leave the thoughts of my girls and the boy behind.

Outside of my property, I’m not their Daddy.

I’m Luke Greene and being the son of Taylee taught me how to flip that little switch on faster than most.

* * *

The little bells on the door jingle as I walk into the local mom and pop pharmacy. I like to spend my money at smaller places like this since those bigger corporations obviously don’t need it.

I nod at Hailey, the granddaughter of the owners, on my way by the front register.

She’s a pretty little thing.

Long, brown, wavy hair, sleepy caramel-colored eyes, and light freckles covering every inch of her bare flesh.

“Hey, stranger!” she greets me with a wide grin, and I shake my head and chuckle as I continue on my way toward the back of the store.

Hailey is a little taller than my girls have ever been, and she has amazing child-bearing hips.