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I hadn’t expected that, and I threw myself at him, hugging him tightly.

“Thank you.”

Tempest snorted, not impressed with what was happening. “So, you’ll pay her money to do whatever she wants but you won’t help me? That’s bullshit.”

“Luna’s studying, she’s planning her future, and she has goals. You hardly made it through high school and you refused college, and now you want to have everything handed to you on a silver platter so you don’t have to lift a finger. I won’t help you ruin your life. If you want me to keep paying for your shit since you also refuse to get a job, you can live here,” he said flatly. “I’ve given you options and you throw an excuse at me for every single one.”

“Rory bought Jett a house and Beckett and Maddox live with him!”

“I’m not Rory Donovan!” he snapped, frustration seeping out of him. “I don’t have millions of dollars lining my pockets. Yes, Rory bought that house, but she has houses for a lot of troubled kids that struggle. When kids age out of the foster system, where do they go? Either the streets or Rory’s doorstep. Do you know how many kids have lived in that big-ass mansion? Hundreds. Every week she’s helping someone new, and it’s not because they’re entitled kids who refuse to lift a finger, it’s because they’re helpless, abused, or living on the streets. You have a perfectly good home, loving parents, and full access to everything you need. Those kids have nothing, Tempest. You can’t compare your situation to theirs.”

“Maybe I should go and cry on her doorstep then,” she threw back before stomping towards the front door. Dad rolled his eyes, crossing his arms.

“Go for it. She’ll give you the same speech I just did. She’s not a halfway house for rebellious kids who don’t want to be controlled. She’d feed you, give you a hug, and tell you to go home.” She slammed the door, his eyes going weary as he sighed. “I don’t know where I went wrong with her. Nothing I ever do is right, and nothing I say gets through to her.”

“You’re the best dad in the world. I think she’s just dealing with some stuff,” I offered, his tired brown and green speckled eyes lifting to meet mine.

“You think so?”

“Yeah. I’ll get Ryder to check in with her. They seem to be friends, and she’d listen to him. He stands up for her sometimes when other guys talk badly about her.”

His eyes narrowed, his jaw tight. “Be honest with me. Are they seeing each other?”

“Uh, no.” I laughed, knowing neither of them would choose to date someone. “I know you don’t like hearing this, but Tempest is whoring way too much to settle down, and Ryder’s not much different. They’d be toxic together and only hurt each other.”

He didn’t seem to believe me, but his shoulders and jaw relaxed. “He looks out for her?”

“He wouldn’t let anyone hurt her, that much I know. They seem to have some kind of understanding for each other.”

“I guess I should be grateful he’s decent enough to keep an eye out for trouble. I’ve always had to worry about her way more than I have with you. You’ve always had Riley and the Donovans, but Temp doesn’t seem to have anyone.” He frowned, lost in thought.

“They all make sure she’s okay too. If someone was harassing her or if she was in danger, any of them would help her. I need to go and pack a bag,” I mumbled, not surprised when he groaned.

“Okay, but don’t take too much. It gives you a reason to come back.”

“I promise, I’ll come home.”

“Good. I don’t like it when my girls aren’t where I can keep them safe,” he murmured before kissing the top of my head and letting me go to my room to pack.

ChapterEight

Riley

“You’re late,” Turbo said flatly as I parked in the parking lot beside his Supra, flipping him off as Reid parked on my other side.

“You’re lucky I came at all. My dad knows exactly who you are, and he lost his shit about me hanging out with you. If he catches me being involved with this street racing business, he’s putting a bullet in you. Just so you know.”

“Everyone knows me,” he said as he waved a dismissive hand, but his jaw clenched as I answered.

“No one knows you as Ander Lavaro, but my father does. He knows enough about you to know you’re trouble, and he knows how big this car shit is with you. I might have to skip out on some shit until his suspicions die down. He knows you’re not just some kid who races cars like most people and you host big stake races”

“You can’t just skip races, Donovan.”

“No? Would you prefer they show up guns blazing with a bunch of crews to back them up? You’d be dead in seconds, and if they let you live, your entire underground business would be gone. They wouldn’t just take down your races, but whatever else you do too. I respect you, so I’m giving it to you straight. I don’t want to bring trouble your way,” I said firmly, resting my forearm on the open window. “And all it would take is for those guys from the other day to open their mouths and blab.”

“You didn’t mention you had friends in Rawson,” he said accusingly, distrust in his gaze. “That’s something you should’ve mentioned.”

“I’ve never met them before, as you could probably tell by our awkward interaction. They’re connected to my family though and they know what we do and who's involved. They run a lot of surveillance but I don’t know what their business is,” I said sharply, narrowing my eyes. “Now, why the fuck are we here? We’re not due to race again, and since your bum buddy isn’t here and Blake’s not coming, I assumed you need us for something else?”