Quinlan: Foster’s Pride – Lion Shapeshifter Romance (Foster's Pride Book 3) Kathi Barton (early reader chapter books TXT) 📖

his office, Robby watched as his son wiped his feet on the area rug in his room rather than outside, where the mud and dirt belonged. Robin didn’t so much as look in the direction of the two women but told his dad about his morning so far.

“Robin, you’re being rude. You should at least acknowledge the other people in the room. And next time you’re thinking of coming into my office unannounced, I’d appreciate it if you were to knock.” He asked him why he’d have to do that. “Because, as I pointed out to you before, it’s not just rude, but what if I’d been having a meeting about something important? You would have been interrupting that.”

“Dad, I hate to point it out to you, but you’re old. And since we both know this place is going to need younger blood soon, you should be having me come and sit in on your meetings anyway.” He glanced in the direction of Billy. “Don’t get too comfy working here, kid. Once I own this place, you won’t be anywhere near here. I have people that will do right by me, and I know you aren’t really in need of a job in the first place. Your family has all the money.”

“Robin Quarter.” Robby was embarrassed by his son and the words coming out of his mouth. “You behave yourself. And I’m not so sure I’m leaving at all. Much less leaving this place to you. I kind of like working my own ranch.”

“Whatever, Dad. No one lives forever. Now, as I was telling you about my morning, I’m going to need to borrow your company truck for a few days. I have some running around to do, and it involves toting things around that won’t fit in my car.” Robby asked him what sort of things. “Never you mind about that, Dad. I’m making progress on things, and sometimes it takes a little more than my little sports number to get those things taken care of.”

“You mean the body you have hidden away? Or is it perhaps the money you stole off the car dealership you tore up two weeks ago? You remember the one, don’t you, Robin? They allowed you to test drive a car even though you’ve had your license suspended for a year now. The man you beat up, he’s going to press charges against you. I’m going to make sure of it.” Robin looked at him, then turned in his chair and looked at Rogue. “There are all sorts of things I could tell you I know, but it would be easier for me to just tell you there is very little you do that I’m not aware of.”

“You’re full of shit.” He looked at him. Robby looked hard at his son. That was when he noticed there was blood on his cheek. His hair also had small stains of it. Pointing these out of his son, Robin just laughed. “Dad, I’m not going to sit here and be accused of shit she knows nothing about. Just give me the fucking truck keys, and I’ll be on my way. And for the way that I’ve been treated just now, I’d not expect to get them back anytime too soon.”

“You didn’t deny it.” Robin asked him what he’d said. “I said you didn’t deny it. The murder of a man. The car dealership. You didn’t deny any of it. Nor did you seem too compelled in explaining why there is blood on your face.”

“Dad, I don’t know if you’re aware of this or not, but I’m a grown fucking man, and I haven’t had to explain myself to you in a very long time.” Robby nodded but kept staring at his son, seeing him in a whole new light. Or perhaps, he thought, he was just now seeing him clearly. “This is ridiculous. I don’t know where she got her information, but I’m telling you right now that I’m not going to sit here and try and explain myself to a stranger. Give me the keys, and I’ll pretend like none of this happened.”

“But I’m the one asking you.” Robin stood up, and suddenly Robby was afraid. Not just that he’d hurt him, but that he would continue hurting others. “I’m not going to give you the keys so you can use my vehicle to cart a dead body out to the hog pen. Nor am I going to allow you to use my good name to get yourself out of things you’ve been doing. As of this moment, I’m going to do something I should have done years ago. I’m washing my hands of you.”

“Because someone came here spouting things off that neither you nor they have any idea about.” Robby stood up, straightening his body out its full length to let his son see he wasn’t nearly as old or as feeble as Robin thought he might be. “Dad, you’re making a mistake here. One that your ass can’t cover.”

“Am I? I don’t think so. I think that not only can my ass cover what I’m going to say to you, but you’re the one that will be in trouble.” He didn’t take his eyes off Robin as he spoke to Rogue. “Rogue, it’s time you take over. If you’d be so kind as to call the police, I’d very much appreciate it. I’m going to give them whatever they want.”

Robin drew back, and it was all Robby could do not to cringe from what he was sure would be a mighty blow. But he didn’t hit him. Nor did his hand come forward in the least bit. It wasn’t until he moved his head slightly that he could see that not only did Rogue have this, but she had also put a gun to the back of Robin’s head. As sure as he was standing there, he was positive she’d have no trouble at all in using it either.

“I’ve called the police, Mr.