Fire And Steel (The Merryweather Chronicles Book 2) by Lesley Woodral Page A

her ink, but it was impressive. Not quite full sleeves, but close. He said, trying to sound cool and nonchalant. "Nice tats."
          She caught his eye and her lips curled into a coy smile. "Aren't you a little short for a storm trooper?"
          Albert snorted back a laugh and even Brandon chuckled. "It's not like that." He said. "I've got a girlfriend."
          The clerk arched a pierced eyebrow at him and her smile became mischievous. "Me too."
          Flustered, Brandon looked for an easy way out of the awkward turn the transaction had taken and noticed her name tag. He said. "Your name is Tuesday?"
          Bagging his music, she handed it over and said. "Nah, I just have a name tag for every day of the week."
          He blinked at her. "But it's not Tuesday?"
          The girl was still laughing as Brandon followed Albert out of the store. Albert was laughing, about to comment on Brandon's way with girls, when there was a familiar ugly chuckle behind them. They turned, neither one surprised to see the Kruegers. The twin uglies stood side by side, blocking the sidewalk and staring at Brandon with undisguised hate. Luke spared a withering glance for Albert before saying. "What are you sissies doing?"
          Perry snickered and said. "Probably looking for someplace to make out."
          Brandon put an hand on Albert's shoulder and pushed him to the rear, placing himself between the bullies and the smaller boy. He stared down the Kruegers. "Are we seriously doing this again?" He spoke calmly, mentally preparing himself to fight. "It seems like beating up the two of you is becoming a full time job."
          Perry glared at him. "You think you're pretty funny, don't you, orphan boy? You won't get to use any of your fancy tricks this time." He took a step forward and Brandon set himself to defend, but the moment was shattered by the blare of a car horn as a Lincoln jerked to a stop on the curb beside them. The door crashed open and a bigger uglier version of the Kruegers heaved himself out. The man's cheeks were mottled red with rage and partially blocked arteries. He said. "You boys just break it the hell up, right now." He jabbed two meaty fingers at the twins. "In the car. Right now!"
          Luke and Perry gave Brandon and Albert matching resentful glares, before doing as ordered. Brandon was about to thank the man, who looked too much like the twins to be anybody other than their father, when the big man turned and shoved a finger at Brandon's chest. He snarled. "I don't want to hear it, punk! You're damn lucky I didn't call the police after your last stunt. You broke both their goddamn noses, you little shithead. You're friggin’ lucky I don't rearrange you're face for it."
          "Sir..." Brandon tried to get a word in, but he was cut off by another jab of that meaty finger.
          "I said I don't wanna hear it, punk!" His face twisted with a hate very much like that of his sons. "I don't give one teeny tiny shit about your dead parents or who your uncle is, so just save your sob stories for somebody who does. If you mess with my boys again, I won't bother with the police. I'll be the one knocking on your front door." With a last hateful look, he stomped back to his car and threw himself inside, already yelling at the twins in the back seat.
          Brandon watched the car leave, his stomach soured with pent up rage.
          "That guy was a dick." Albert said softly. He flashed Brandon a nervous smile. "It's no wonder the Kruegers are the way they are."
          "Yeah," Brandon said. "No wonder."
     
          Emily was sitting up in bed, watching TV, when Claire pushed open the door after giving it a soft rap with her knuckle. "Knock knock?" She said, smiling to see her friend up and around. Emily's face was still a mess of stitches and fading bruises but she looked oh so much better than the last time Claire visited.
          Emily knew enough now