Page 74 of Rush

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He knows this is bad, knows Diesel finding out is going to be a problem.

"It's Rush," I say finally.

The silence on the other end is deafening.

"Rush," Diesel repeats, and his voice is flat.

"Yeah."

"The guy who went to juvie for shooting someone?"

"He was thirteen and he was trying to save his sister."

"I don't care if he was trying to save the Pope. He shot someone and now he's following my daughter around Dublin."

"He's not following me around. He's just making sure I'm safe."

"That's what we call it now?"

"Dad—"

"No, I want to talk to him. Put him on the phone."

"That's not a good idea."

"I don't care. Put him on the phone."

I look at Rush and mouth sorry, then I hold out the phone.

He takes it and I can see him bracing himself.

"Diesel," he says, and his voice is calm.

I can't hear what my dad says but I watch Rush's expression shift, watch his jaw get tighter.

"I understand," Rush says.

More talking from my dad. Rush's knuckles go white on the phone.

"Yes, sir."

More talking. Rush closes his eyes.

"I know, sir."

This is painful to watch. My dad is ripping into him and Rush is just taking it.

"It won't happen again," Rush says finally.

He hands the phone back to me and walks away, stands with his back to me staring at nothing.

I put the phone to my ear. "You done?"

"No, I'm not done. What the hell are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking I like him."

"You like him? Everly, he's dangerous."

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