Page 77 of Praying for Thunder

“My life has been hard because of who hurt her.”

“You make a strong argument.” Settling in, he propped his feet up on the cluttered coffee table. “My father. I remember him being a good man… then, time changed him. He became… one of the worst.”

“Is that how you became mean?”

“Hey! I’m calm!”

There were barely any sane parts to Onus. Calm moments? Very rare. “You ordered Ani to be killed.”

“Anita?” He shrugged. “She shouldn’t have stolen my child.”

That was actually rather difficult to argue with. So, I decided to tell him who he had murdered. “Do you mind if I tell you about her?”

“Not if you don’t expect me to shed a tear.”

Fair enough. “Now, having gone without, I see how much she gave me.” My throat tightened. “Not one day did I go without. Three meals, and snacks in between. My own bed. Constant supervision. She had me believing…” I looked out the window, not able to finish.

After a pause, he asked, “Believing what?”

No weakness. Show no weakness. “That… I was special.”

He sucked in air. “Even though I’m your father?”

Anxiously, my fingers gripped one another. “I never paid for any of your mistakes. I was loved.”

“Ah, shit… At the cabin—” It was shocking, but this President was sounding remorseful for having her killed. “I was beyond angry.”

“Understandable.”

“You really believe that?”

“Your brother betrayed you. I’ve only been here weeks yet can already see how things are run.” He nodded in agreement. “Plus, I lived with Grandma for over four years. In that short amount of time, she had me losing my mind. I can only imagine what a lifetime with her could do to a man.”

Blink. Blink. “Uh… yeah.” He stared at the TV that wasn’t on. “It was… brutal.”

Even though Onus was to blame for placing me with Grandma, I decided not to harp about it. I was lucky enough to not be in more trouble for the night. And, he was willing to talk? Even at fourteen, I was smart enough to see the good. “Rya got me through it. She was the lit candle in a very dark room.”

“Ah, your mother was the same for me, once upon a time. She loved me until… I betrayed her.” Exhaling, he ran a palm down his face. We sat in silence for a while. Then he asked, “Why do you hate Piercer but not me?”

Complicated, but simple. “You gave him an ultimatum. He chose to be the Grim Reaper.” I could feel anger starting to spike. “From what you’ve said tonight, you didn’t know she was a worthy person.” I made a fist. “He did. He did. And… he snuffed her out anyway.” I growled, “He’s… weak.”

“Huh.” He exhaled again, then reverted to Spanish. “This I cannot argue with.” He got up and headed for the door. “And he wants my position.” Before opening it, he peered over his shoulder. “And, the Bastard? Was he nice to you?”

Onus, someone who had been beyond cruel to me, asking such a question, offered promise in the man. So, I was honest… “He was so good to me, I believed him to be a superhero.”

He thought for a minute. “And now?”

I missed that man… “I believe him to be a man who loved a little boy named Thunder. There wasn’t a selfish bone in his body when it came to me. My safety was his main concern.”

With deliberation, he grabbed the doorknob. “I guess that makes you the luckiest of us all.” He stared at the floor. “Be careful with Ryannon. I’m not the only one to fear in these parts.”

My mouth fell open. I hadn’t told him her full name.

Without an explanation, he walked into the hallway and gave out demands. “You and you. Take him to this girl tomorrow. A hair on his head, one out of place, your asses are mine.”

Roamer and Chubs entered the room backward, nodding fanatically. When the door shut, they faced me. Chubs uttered, “Holy shit.”

THIRTEEN