Page 107 of Rune
Of course, ‘my best’ when it came to clothes wasn’t much to write home about. I hadn’t packed much, and most of it was in the wash. So I was left with a pair of my sleep shorts and one of Rune’s black ribbed tank tops. No bra. Because why make it harder than it had to be to get naked up there?
Finished, I waited for Rune while texting my sister, who was so close to California she could almost taste it.
For a day or two there, despite getting very excited about various landmarks, it was clear she was getting pretty sick of being in the car so much. I was glad she was close to being home. But also still secretly happy she was on the road. In my mind,driving meant safe. Stationary meant someone could track her down.
I was in the dark about the progress when it came to my cousins. But I figured that the fact that we were still stuck at the clubhouse meant that they hadn’t taken care of the issue yet.
I was surprised how… not conflicted I was about the whole thing. Yes, Jack and his brother were blood, but Vicky had been family. There was a very important difference. And because of them, Vicky was gone. I’d never stand next to her at her wedding, have playdates with our babies together, or grow into hilariously inappropriate old ladies with her.
She was gone.
They were responsible.
They had to pay for that.
And since the cops couldn’t pin it on anyone, they would never face legal justice. Which only left the street kind.
I couldn’t judge Rune and the club for wanting to handle it with a gun. If I’d known sooner and had my own, I would have done it myself.
Besides, my aunt had passed away a few months back. They had no other close family members to mourn them.
It was what it was.
It had to be done to make all of us safe again.
The only thing I was genuinely conflicted about was the fact that I both wanted my life back but also didn’t want an excuse to leave the clubhouse. Not yet.
As it turned out, my business ran just fine without me micromanaging. Even Baseboard Guy adjusted to his new cleaner. Who, apparently, cleaned grout better than I did anyway.
So, without the stress of my career pulling me away, I wanted to stay cocooned with Rune as long as we could. Though, yeah, Iwouldn’t mind breathing some fresh air. Or getting some much-needed vitamin D.
Holed up with Rune while also being able to take a walk on the beach or go get coffee—that was the goal.
Until then, I would be content with glass room picnics.
“Ready?” Rune asked.
“I almost fell asleep, you took so long,” I admitted, standing to stretch and yawn.
“It’s better up there when it’s dark anyway,” he assured me.
With that, we made our way into the basement with its barracks-style sleeping arrangements and over toward the steep ladder leading up to the glass room.
“When you get to the top, use your elbows to pull you in,” he instructed as I tested going up a couple rungs with my one good hand and the elbow of the other.
“Got it,” I agreed, forcing myself to keep going before I lost my nerve. I wasn’t afraid of heights but had never been a fan of ladders. The quicker I got this part over with, the more I could enjoy the picnic—before the dreaded descent afterward.
Rune was right behind me the whole way, though, making comments about my ass that distracted me enough to keep going until, finally, I was at the top.
Where I paused, awestruck at what he’d put together.
Because I knew from stories there wasn’t much in the glass room, save for a small mini-fridge, a couple pillows, binoculars, and snacks.
Rune had transformed it. Not just with the abundance of mismatched blankets and pillows on the floor to create a makeshift bed, but with draped twinkle lights, a basket with, I imagined, food, and even my tablet on a stand so we could watch a movie.
“Take your time. I’m just gonna…” His hands squeezed my ass.
“You’re gonna fall,” I chided him as I hauled myself into the room.
