Page 44 of Chef
Mira, Kaia, Jazz and Joy all disappear into the little office, and with a little grunting and giggling they wheel out the St Andrew’s cross, with Pops attached to the front. My jaw drops open, because even though I learned all about St Andrew’s crosses about half an hour ago, seeing Pops trussed up in his underwear is something else.
“Ho. Ly. Shit. Balls,” Sage whispers, her eyes huge as her mouth opens and closes.
“Taadaaa! Happy wedding day, kiddo.” Pops’ grin turns to a frown. “Where are the guys with our special guests?”
Sage looks up at Niko whose mouth has been hanging open since Pops entered the room. When he doesn't say anything Sage jabs him roughly in the ribs with her elbow.
“Ow! Fuck, Sage!”
“Pops asked you a question, dick bag.”
“Oh, ah, the guys should be here soon. I mean, how long does it take to get rid of an SUV full of God botherers?”
“Longer than you think. I had to get rid of a pedo pastor once. He was very sinewy. Messed up my wood chipper.” We all turn to stare at Chewy who has a faraway look on her face as she rubs her belly.
“Well, onthatnote,” Pops breaks the silence, “who wants to check out this mole on the inside of my thigh?”
Chapter Sixteen
Sage
Three days. Three days since I last saw my husband. Three days since Takoda told me to ride away to safety. Three days of the DRMC and The Keep tearing through backroads, searching barns and abandoned homes. Three days of Chewy, Wire, Remy, Jay and Theo hacking who knows what to try to find him. Three day's of Elio holding my hand and telling me it'll be OK. Where the fuckishe?
“Aw, come here, cher.” Damian plops his massive ass on the couch next to me, slings his arm over my shoulder and pulls me in close. Which isn’t as nice as it sounds because it's hot out and he smells all sweaty gross.
“It’s very damp here, Dam,” I murmur, grossed out, but also not wanting to move.
“I know. Been busy.”
I know he has. He's spent the past three days at Ashfall meetings or visiting the members with cakes Loyal has baked. He's managed to become friendly with a few but they're all staying tight lipped. I don’t have time to ask more as Elio waves me over to where he, Jovie, Cove and Judge’s kids are milling around. Pushing myself up I head over to the corner they’ve commandeered for “projects”.
“We’ll be going home soon, and you’re still missing a husband.” Cove says matter of factly. She definitely got Mom’s whole personality.
“I know, Cove. I’ll miss you.”
“Hmm, yeah, anyway, we have drawn up plans. We know The Keep isn’t as tough as the Originals, and you’ll need help when it comes to ‘getting business done’ -” As she says this Jovie uses her fingers as air quotes. Their baby Thelma and Louise schtick is kinda terrifying. “So Elio has made some bombs for you, and we’ve drawn up directions on how to use them.”
“Don’t worry, they had supervision.” Jax says, Annie-Bella nodding. That does not make me feel better. I’m sure Judge’s kids are like, 14 or something.
“Oh, wow, thanks guys,” I reply as convincingly as I can. Make it look like I’m pleasantly surprised.
Annie-Bella helps Elio with a crate of neatly packed mason jars with all sorts of crap floating around in them and I take it, the weight jarring me slightly. Looking over my shoulder I try to gain Damian’s attention, he’ll help me with my siblings’ “gift”.
“Not him,” Elio says in his little robot voice.
“Who? Damian?”
Jovie’s gaze darts over my shoulder, then back to me, “He looks like he’d enjoy those too much. You need ‘em for the baddies.”
My lips twitch, because Damian does look like he’d enjoy them too much. Nodding, I instead call Justice over, “Can you please, ah, put these somewhere safe?”
I hold out the crate and Justice’s brow raises for a moment.
“Need to keep them cool.” Elio murmurs and Justice nods.
“I know a place.” He wanders off with my little brother's sweet little gifts, to put them who knows where, but at least I’ll know they’ll be safe.
The doors to Church bang open and I know by the look on Mom’s face that she’s pissed.
