Bad Dad

by Sloane Howell

  The man took a few long strides and stopped about five feet away from Landon. He turned and surveyed the land—craned his head around and looked at everything long and hard. His stare moved toward the porch, to me. My whole body tensed.

  The man’s eyes narrowed at me. The corners of his mouth curled slightly. “You’ve done well for yourself.”

  Landon stepped in his line of sight. Blocked him from looking at us. “How’d you find me?”

  The guy snickered and shook his head like the question was ridiculous. “We always know where you are, Son.”

  “I’m not your son.” I couldn’t see Landon’s face, only the back of his head. The other man sat in the car and didn’t so much as move. I couldn’t tell what he was looking at through his glasses.

  “What do you want?”

  “No hello or how are you? Fine.” He waved his words away. “There’s business to discuss.” The man put his hands in his pockets and rocked back and forth on his heels. Seemed to enjoy every second he made Landon uncomfortable.

  “I’m retired.”

  The guy laughed. A booming laugh. It echoed off the trees in the distance and returned a second later.

  Landon stared.

  “You weren’t trained to waste time like this. Civilian life has made you inefficient.”

  Landon said nothing.

  The man’s face tightened. “I know you probably feel free out here. The mountains and open country will do that to a man, I suppose.” He took a step toward Landon without an ounce of fear. “It can be taken away.”

  Landon stood there. I wished I could’ve seen his face. Gotten a read on what he was thinking.

  “Why’s Sid fighting in the WMMA?”

  The man’s grin widened. His eyes squinted when he smiled. He almost looked like one of those Guy Fawkes masks. “Now, we’re getting somewhere.” He paused. “How’d you escape the island?”

  Landon escaped an island. I made a mental note.

  Landon’s shoulders relaxed a hint. It appeared he liked knowing something the other man didn’t.

  “Thought you knew everything, Edmon.”

  Edmon. Edmon. I didn’t know the name. Landon had never spoken of him, but it was painfully clear they had a past together. A long and detailed one. What island?

  “My time here is limited. I’ve come to make a deal. Want to hear it?”

  “Do I have a choice?”

  Edmon licked his lips. “Very well. You’ll fight in the WMMA. Win a few fights by a large margin. I know you’re rusty, but that shouldn’t be a problem for a man like you. We’ll handle the PR and build a buzz.” He paused and grinned. “Then you fight Sidious.”

  “You want me to fight in the WMMA? That’s what this is all about? You can’t be serious.”

  Edmon didn’t react to the insult. “Problem?”

  “Thought you’d want to activate me for an, umm—” he glanced back at us again, then moved his stare back to Edmon, “—operation.”

  He was being careful with his words. At that point, I couldn’t tell if it was to protect some kind of classified information or to shield us from knowing details of his past. Maybe it was both. I didn’t know much, but I knew enough to tell that Landon was some kind of soldier or worked for the government in some capacity. It made sense. Why else was he so secretive and hidden? How else could he move so fast and be so damn powerful? Read people the way he did?

  My heart pounded, and my legs grew restless. I could feel my chest rising and falling with labored breaths. Landon must’ve been some kind of badass if the government tracked him down, but I’d seen the Sid guy fighting on TV. He looked like more of a machine than a man. It was all anyone ever talked about. Nobody had lasted more than a few seconds with him, and all of the men who fought him were in the hospital, recovering. My heart lurched at the thought of Landon stepping into a ring with him.

  Edmon smiled. “Just a fight. Nothing more.”

  “Not happening.”

  Edmon nodded. “Of course it will.” He glanced up to us on the porch. “Take Logan inside.”

  Landon jolted when he heard Logan’s name, like he hadn’t expected Edmon to know it. He turned to us and nodded for Janet to take him in. He stared at me when I started to turn. “Cora, come here.”

  I wanted to dig my heels into the porch and stay right there. The Edmon guy gave me the creeps. My eyes moved over to him and he leered in my direction.

  “It’s okay.” Landon held his hand out at me. The hand I’d always taken each time he’d held it out to me before.

  Could I take it this time? Trust him blindly?

  I stood there for another brief second. Brushed my palms down my jeans. Landon wouldn’t call me down there without a reason. He wouldn’t put me in danger. Every one of his actions was always to protect me or his family. Or was he going to surrender me in exchange for them? Why would they want me?

  My thoughts refused to piece themselves together in a meaningful way. I tried to focus on every one of Landon’s actions since I’d met him. He’d always tried to keep me safe. He’d never faltered. I trusted him.

  One foot in front of the other, I made my way down the steps. I walked up next to him and got a better look at Edmon. Nothing about him was remarkable, but he was definitely a little off. He managed to be sociable, but it was awkward—something about the way he stood, or spoke. I couldn’t place it. It was the same things I’d notice about Landon sometimes. Little phrases or mannerisms. Landon made sure to keep himself in front of me.

  He turned to me and half-grinned, then nodded at Edmon. “Don’t worry. He couldn’t fight his way out of a wet paper bag.”

  I looked up at Landon. “You want me to go?” My eyes moved to Edmon. “I just came by to borrow something.” I tried to play it off like we were just acquaintances. “I don’t want to be—”

  “Very clever girl.” Edmon smiled.

  Landon reached down and took my hand. Smiled like he was trying to set me at ease. “I need someone to witness this.” He gestured to Edmon. “He’s not known for his honesty.”

  I nodded. “It’s okay.”

  Edmon ignored me. “Like I said before. It’s simple. You fight a few fights. Let’s call it two. That should be sufficient.”

  Landon shook his head. Edmon continued.

  “You win by overwhelming margins. You fight Sidious.”

  “And if I win that fight?”

  Edmon’s grin widened and his eyes squinted. Fine lines wrinkled at the corners. “You win, you’re free. Inactivated.”

  “Bullshit.” Landon shook his head. His hand gripped tighter around mine. A surge of energy pulsed through his fingers. But it was different. More like excitement than fear, for a split-second, anyway. He held his free thumb out at Edmon and looked at me. “See what I mean?”

  No, I don’t see what you mean. I had no clue.

  Edmon grabbed the lapels on his jacket and straightened up. His grin faded, and he was a hundred percent serious. Even his voice sounded more regal. “Personal guarantee from Titan.”

  Landon’s face went blank and then his jaw clenched. He nodded slowly. “From Titan? Guaranteed?”

  Who in the fuck is Titan? What is going on here?

  “Correct.”

  “Timeline?”

  “Three months. Non-negotiable.”

  “If I say no?”

  “I’ll dispense with pleasantries, because I know you have no need for them. Let’s just say you’ll be activated. You’ll go back to the island. Not nice things could be in store for the people you care about.”

  Landon surged in front of me. I was still off to his side and could see Edmon’s face. Landon’s jaw constricted.

  My heart dropped into my stomach. Was he talking about me? About Janet and Logan? What had I gotten myself into? Fight or flight kicked in. I wanted to run. Wanted to hide. Was that what the guy in the car was for? I glanced over at him. He sat there stiff as a board, like a statue. Didn’t even look in our direction. He�
��d been staring straight ahead the whole time. What not nice things would they do to us?

  Edmon watched Landon’s reaction. Studied him like he was a science experiment.

  He clapped a hand on Landon’s shoulder and smiled right at me before turning back to him. “See, that’s the problem with social relationships. I taught you better than this.”

  Landon sneered.

  “When you love something, or someone, it’s an exchange of control. You give up some of your power in exchange for those feelings. It’s why you should’ve never left the island, Son. We couldn’t trust you with a mission now anyway. Look at you. One threat to Logan, or Janet, or your girlfriend here.” He looked at me. “You’d sing like a canary.”

  “She’s not my girlfriend. And it didn’t feel like I was very powerful on that island. Better to be controlled by them than you.”

  I knew Landon was trying to protect me, but his words stung. Especially the added emphasis on the word not.

  “Fair point. Except now all of us control you. And don’t patronize me. We watch things. You know better. We know everything. So, what’s it going to be?”

  Landon looked back at me. He glanced up at the bedroom window. Janet and Logan sat there pale-faced and expressionless, palms on the glass. “I win and that’s it? I’m free?”

  “You’ll never see anyone from Project Leonidas again.” Edmon flashed Landon a sly grin.

  Landon glared when he said it and his jaw tensed. “Ever?”

  Project Leonidas? Why did Landon get so mad that he’d said it? Was it something I wasn’t supposed to know? Did Edmon say some top-secret program like that to tether me to Landon and use me as leverage over him? So I couldn’t get out? I tried to take a couple of deep breaths without being noticed. My heart pounded, and my palms were slick with cold sweat.

  Hold it together.

  I’d expected Landon to have a horrible childhood that he didn’t like to talk about. Maybe he grew up at an orphanage or was abused. Maybe he’d been in a war or committed some kind of crime during a rough stretch of early adulthood, and ran away.

  This shit was far away from what I’d expected when he’d hinted that he didn’t want his past to find him.

  “Correct.”

  “One more condition.”

  “What is it?”

  “No interference before the fight. No surveillance. I don’t want to see any of you. I promise not to disappear in return.”

  “I’m not—”

  “Non-negotiable. I’ll take our chances. If I spot surveillance, I’ll cause a shitstorm. You’re not the only one with power.”

  Edmon’s hands balled into fists. He took a step toward Landon.

  “Stop right there.”

  Blood rushed into my face. Endorphins coursed through my body at the tension that suddenly saturated the air. Landon’s face was ice-cold like he’d just morphed into a killer. I’d never seen that expression before. He could be intimidating, like the first day I met him in the hallway, or when he confronted Hastings in the parking lot, but this was a completely different look. I didn’t know if I was turned on or scared shitless.

  Edmon rolled his eyes. “Or else what?”

  Landon took a step toward Edmon and glared down at him. “Or I’ll gut you like a fish and water my yard with your piss and blood.”

  My legs quivered at Landon’s words and my stomach turned to acid.

  Edmon’s eyes grew into large white ovals, and he swallowed hard. Then a sadistic smile spread across his face. He nodded, his eyes still wide. “There’s my soldier.” Edmon straightened up like nothing had happened. “Okay, then. No surveillance. No interference. But—” Edmon held up his index finger in front of Landon’s face. “You disappear?” He shook his head and clicked his tongue. “Won’t be good.” He smiled at me and then up at Logan and Janet in the window. “Won’t be good at all, Son.” Edmon held out a hand. “Deal?”

  Landon angled his head down and glared at the hand then back up at Edmon. “I’m not touching that. Draw up the paperwork.”

  Edmon turned and laughed. He opened the door of the Towncar. “One more thing.” He rapped on the hood a couple of times with a fist.

  The man in the passenger seat opened his door and got out. My whole body went straight into panic mode. My brain told me to run, but I couldn’t.

  The man stood up. Landon stared back at him. I sucked in a huge breath and tried to stay composed.

  “Brought you a training partner from the island. So you don’t kill anyone. Sign of good faith on our end.”

  I moved my gaze between the two of them. They looked like twins. Same size, same height, same features.

  “We’ll be in touch.” Edmon climbed into the Towncar and backed all the way down the driveway.

  Landon pulled me into his chest. He leaned over and kissed my forehead. Kept his arms wrapped tight around me.

  Dust from the gravel driveway settled and the other man stood there.

  I pulled back a little and Landon let go. He stared down at me like what is it?

  I gestured with my head to the guy staring at us.

  Landon spun around like he’d forgotten he was there. The man wore camo fatigue pants, a white tee shirt, and still had on the thick black sunglasses.

  “Long time, Joe.”

  Joe sniffed the air. Made a huge show of it and stared up at the sky and then back at Landon. “Indeed, asshole.”

  CHAPTER 13

  Landon Lane

  MY LIFE CAPSIZED IN A matter of minutes. The worst part was that I knew it was coming. Knew it.

  The strangest part of it all was that I felt free. The anxiety left my body and I felt lighter than air. There’s something about setting free a burden that’s bogged you down for years. It was out in the open now. Everything looked different, felt different. It was like the weight of the world had lifted off my shoulders.

  I gave Cora another kiss on her forehead and then turned to Joe. My blood pumped harder than usual.

  It’d been ten years.

  He shrugged. “You gonna invite me in or what, motherfucker?”

  I shook my head. He’d changed. Kind of. Somewhere along the line he’d been exposed to civilization or social skills of some kind. He sounded like an 80s action hero. Spoke just like one. It was somewhat entertaining.

  “Come inside.”

  “Yeah, I will, bitch.” He adjusted his sunglasses and strutted in behind us.

  We’d work on making him normal.

  I scooped up Cora in my arms and carried her up the steps. I watched her face. A million things must’ve ran through her mind. I needed to set her at ease.

  I walked inside and placed her on the couch. I pulled Logan over to us as he walked into the room. He wrapped his arms tight around my neck. Joe followed behind and shut the door.

  “Have a seat over there, Rambo.”

  He nodded. “Yeah, I will have a fuckin’ seat.”

  I tried not to glare at him. He didn’t know any better.

  “It’s good to see you. But cut the act. Just be yourself. At ease.” I waved a hand at him.

  Logan shook with a tiny laugh at Joe. I hugged him tight to my chest and hooked an arm around Cora.

  Joe smiled from ear to ear. His demeanor had totally changed. “I’m blending in with civilian life.”

  “You can’t talk like that in front of kids.”

  “Like what?” He shrugged.

  “I’ll give you a list of words.”

  I shot Janet an apologetic look.

  “You need to talk to her.” Janet nodded at Cora. “Come on.” She took Logan by the hand and led him to the bedroom.

  Joe sat there, lounging in a chair. He was massive and had definitely aged since the last time I saw him.

  “Can you give us a minute?”

  “How can I give you time? It’s not an object.”

  I face palmed.

  He threw his hands in the air. “I don’t know what I’m doing. Can you help me out?�
��

  Cora stared at him. I watched her trying to solve him like he was a puzzle.

  I put a hand on her cheek and tilted her head to me. “I’ll explain. I promise.” I turned to Joe. “Just go in the kitchen and eat whatever you want. I know you’re hungry.”

  He hopped up. “Always eat and sleep when you can. Never know when you’ll do it again.” Joe acted nonchalant, but I watched him scan the room. He stared at pictures. Caught up on ten years of my past in ten seconds. His eyes analyzed everything. He shook his head and marched into the kitchen. It was really good to see him.

  Cora and I sat there in silence for what seemed like an hour, even though it was probably just a few seconds. “I have to be very careful right now.”

  She nodded.

  “I didn’t mean for this to happen. You believe that, right?”

  Her gorgeous eyes met mine. They looked at me different though. I’d become more of an object than a person. Once upon a time, I was used to that. Ten years ago. People hadn’t looked at me that way in a long time, and I didn’t miss it. I cringed at her stare.

  “Yeah.” The word barely squeaked out.

  I wanted to take all of her fear and crush it in my palms. I couldn’t.

  “I bought some time back there.” I gestured through the window toward where Edmon and I had spoken. “We have decisions to make.”

  “But you agreed—”

  “I said that to get him out of here, so I could think. I wanted to talk to you. Make the decisions together. I know, it sounds—” My voice trailed off. I shook my head.

  Billions of people in the world. All of them went to work, nine to five, every day. They went home to their families afterward. They didn’t realize how lucky they had it. What I would’ve given for that kind of luxury.

  Her palm landed on my cheek. She turned my face to focus on her. “I needed to hear that. To know we’re on some kind of team.”

  I sighed and tried to grin. Everything inside of me said I should cut her loose. Let her get on with her life. It’d be unfair to drag her into everything. I could still get her out of it, maybe. I could reason with Edmon. Make another deal. It wasn’t my decision though. It was hers. I had to respect that. It wasn’t like there weren’t insane bloggers out there on the internet that talked about Project Leonidas. They were written off as conspiracy nutjobs. Cora wasn’t prolific. She wasn’t a reporter with mainstream media.