Chapter 18
Delilah
Ifelt a cold chill run down my spine the minute I heard him say my name.
I didn’t have to see his face to know it was my father who was waiting for me there in the dark.
It had been years since I’d seen him. In fact, the last time I did was the day Mom packed up all our stuff and we left.
He didn’t even say goodbye as we pulled out of the driveway and set out to start our new life without him.
After that, I never heard from him again.
No visits.
No calls.
Not so much as a birthday card.
It was like he’d vanished from the earth, and I figured that was how things would always be—until tonight.
I had no idea why he’d come, but the fact that he was sitting there, hidden in the dark corner of my apartment, gave me an unsettled feeling.
Actually, it was more than that. It was terrifying.
I did my best to swallow my fear as I stepped into the living room. “Dad?”
“Well, it’s good to know my girl still recognizes me after all these years,” he replied with sarcasm. “I must say, you’ve grown into a beautiful young woman. You look just like your mother did at your age.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come to see you.” He never moved from his spot.
He just sat there, staring at me all cool, calm, and collected in his black dress slacks and dark gray button down.
It was hard to see his face in the dark, but the way he was acting, it was clear that he thought there was nothing unusual about the fact that he’d broken into my home.
I wanted nothing more than to lash out at him and tell him exactly what I thought, but I simply couldn’t find the words.
Instead, I just stood there listening as he said, “It’s been a while.
I thought it was time for us to catch up. ”
“A while is a bit of an understatement, don’t you think?” I sassed. “It’s been what? Fourteen years or more since I’ve seen or heard from you.”
“Let’s not get distracted by the details. Besides, that’s all behind us now. It’s time to move forward,” he answered casually. “I see you’re doing well for yourself. Got a nice place here. I guess working at a nursing home pays better than I thought.”
“How do you know where I work?”
“I know everything about you, Delilah.” His eyes met mine in a cold, angry stare. “What kind of father would I be if I didn’t?”
“You’ve been watching me ... The man in the black truck. That was you?”
“That was one of my associates.”
“Of course, it was,” I snapped. “Why don’t we just skip all the BS, Dad, and just tell me why you’re really here.”
“I already told you. I’m here to catch up.
To reunite with my children.” There was something about his tone that made my skin crawl.
I had no interest in catching up with him, much less being in the same dark room with him.
“In case you were wondering, I’ve done quite well for myself too.
I’ve got my own business. It’s been very successful until recently. ”
“Oh? And why’s that? Did you gamble away all your profits?”
“You’d be wise to watch your tone with me, Delilah. I’m not the same man I used to be,” he barked with a threatening tone.
“Clearly.”
“You know, I spent years listening to your mother’s shit.
She was always bitching because she couldn’t see the bigger picture.
I had plans. I knew what I was doing. If she’d just been patient, she could’ve had a much better life.
You all could have.” Before I could respond, he continued, “But that’s all in the past. It’s time for us to focus on the future. ”
“And how do you plan on us doing that?”
“For starters, you could tell me what is going on with your brother.”
“I’m not sure I know what you mean.” I crossed my arms and tried to keep my voice steady. “As far as I know, Danny’s good.”
“You sure about that?”
“What do you mean?”
“Danny came up missing just under a month ago, only a few days after he’d made a big delivery.
Shortly after, a second associate of mine came up missing as well.
” He leaned forward, and for the first time I caught a glimpse of his face.
He hadn’t aged much, just a few sparse gray hairs here and there, but there was an evil look his eyes like I’d never seen before.
A menacing expression crossed his face as he said, “I think the two are somehow connected.”
“Why would they be connected? Danny doesn’t have any ties to your associates.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.” He shot me an indignant glare and announced, “Danny has been working for me for almost five years now.”
“What?” My mind was racing, making it difficult to think.
I knew I had all the pieces to the puzzle, but I was having a hard time putting it all together.
I took a deep breath and tried to calm the storm of thoughts racing through my head.
After several moments, I was still at a loss.
The only job Danny had that I knew about was selling drugs, and I couldn’t understand what that had to do with my father.
“How could he be working for you? He hasn’t even seen you in years. ”
“Like I said, I’ve established quite a business for myself.
I wanted to share my success by making Danny a part of it.
I’ll admit, he wasn’t aware that I was behind this venture when he was offered to start dealing, but he’s done well.
There’s a chance he could take over the entire business one day. ”
I was completely appalled. Our father, a man who was supposed to raise us, guide us, and keep us out of harm’s way, had led his own son down a very treacherous path.
To make matters worse, he seemed so offhanded about it, like it wasn’t a big deal that his son was dealing drugs for him.
I just couldn’t fathom it. I wanted desperately to believe I was wrong, that he was talking about something else, so I asked, “Are you saying this business of yours, the one you got Danny involved in, is dealing drugs?”
“I’m providing a service, Delilah. A very profitable service.”
“Are you insane? I don’t care how profitable it might be.
Dealing drugs is not only illegal, it’s dangerous!
” I knew I was being hypocritical. Hawk and his brothers were dealing the very drugs my father had sold to them, but I didn’t hold the same animosity towards them that I had for my father.
My rage towards him continued to build as I shouted, “Danny could get killed or land himself in jail, and for what? So you can make a dime? You repulse me.”
“Just like your mother—self-righteous and judgmental. Think you know everything when you know nothing at all,” my father snarled. “You know, she’s fucking the reason Danny was weak. She taught him nothing. Hell, the boy could barely rub two pennies together before I came along.”
“So, you think you came along and saved the day? Taught your son how to be a man and live a good life?” I shook my head in disgust. “You did it. Well done. You turned your son into drug dealer. I’m sure you’re so proud.”
“I am proud. Danny has done well for himself. And you should be proud of him too.”
“And what happens when he gets caught? Are you going to be proud when he ends up in jail?”
“That won’t happen. Since he started working for me, Danny has smartened up and become more like me. He’s learned how to keep his head down and stay clear of any trouble.”
I crossed my arms as I spat, “If that’s so, then why is he suddenly missing?”
“We both know he isn’t missing. At least, not anymore.” In a low, threatening tone, he growled, “He’s with those friends of yours ... the Ruthless Sinners.”
“What makes you think they’re friends of mine?”
“I already told you, Delilah. I know everything there is to know about you. Where you went to college. Where you work. What you drive. Where you spend your days and nights, and who you spend them with. I gotta say, I thought you were smarter than to get involved with men like those. You want to call me out for doing something that’s illegal.
What about them? Running strip clubs. Selling drugs to every Tom, Dick, and Harry.
They’re no better than me, and yet you’ll spread your legs for them.
Give them anything they want, including your brother.
What does that say about you and all your judgements? ”
“You have no idea what you’re talking about!” I yelled. “You don’t know me, and you certainly don’t know them.”
“I know enough.” He leaned back into the dark shadows as he grumbled curses under his breath. “I know they think they’ve pulled a fast one over on me, but I’m too smart for that.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Of course, you don’t. When it comes to them, you only see what you want to see.
” For weeks, I’d held a grudge against the Sinners for what they’d done to Danny, and to me, but the day they came to the nursing home to see Mr. McClanahan, I saw a different side of them.
Like Zander, they had a good side to them—one that was gentle and kind—and that side made me want to defend them, especially when my father said, “You know ... I’ve seen you with him.
That biker with the cocky fucking smirk on his face, putting on airs like he’s someone important, but he’s nothing.
I’ve crushed bigger men with the bottom of my fucking shoe. ”
“He’s a better man than you’ll ever be.”
“You’re a fool.”
“I stopped caring about what you think a long time ago.”
Just as the words left my mouth, I heard the low rumble of Zander’s motorcycle pulling into my parking lot.
Panic washed over me when my father stood and walked over to the window.
As he looked down at the parking lot, a low, menacing chuckle vibrated through his chest. “Well, look who’s here again.
I shouldn’t be surprised. The piece of shit thinks he owns the place … and you.”
“You’re wrong, but I’m not going to waste my breath trying to convince you of something you’ll never believe.”