Page 38 of Devil’s Torture

“Of course, Prez,” I try to keep my voice even and filled with respect, but I don’t quite hit the mark.

He doesn’t call me on it.

I glance over at Dawn who is being introduced to some of the little kids who approach her with open, smiling faces. Lucifer follows my gaze and his face softens.

“She’s a beautiful little girl,” he offers his words like an olive branch.

I decide it’s better to take it rather than turn my nose up at it and force my shoulders to relax slightly. “Thank you. She’s a handful and stubborn, but she’s also kind and has a wicked sense of humor.”

He nods thoughtfully as he takes Dawn in. When he looks back at me, there is determination in his eyes along with regret. “I’m sorry for how everything went down back then. I was trying to do right by you and Rune, but I made a decision for you and for him that wasn’t fair.”

He doesn’t try to dress it up. He doesn’t make his words an excuse for what happened. He doesn’t sweep it under the rug.

Instead, he holds it out to the light.

Tears burn the backs of my eyes, and I have to look away because I’m not sure if I want him to see. He doesn’t push me and just lets his words sit around us.

“No,” I start out slowly, “it wasn’t, but I’ve been trying to figure out if you had any better option.” I look back at him. “I’m not sure you did. I just wish I wouldn’t have been kept in the dark because I knew you were lying to me. That’s what I couldn’t get over.”

“Hopefully we can earn your trust back, just like Rune has,” there’s a hopeful edge to his voice.

My cheeks heat up and I start shaking my head before he’s even finished speaking. “Oh, no,” I argue, “we aren’t like that.”

Lucifer’s mouth widens into a knowing grin while he holds his hands up in surrender. Just as he winks, an arm wraps around my shoulders. I’m turned slightly and a wide smile stretches across my face when I register who I’m looking at.

Cherise.

I always loved her. She felt like a mother to me when I needed one. I’ve missed her all these years.

“Bexley,” she breathes out my name with so much warmth that all I can do is swallow hard and nod. She looks at me for a long moment before looking at Dawn. “You’ve done so good. So good. She’s a treasure.” Her hand squeezes my shoulder slightly. “And so are you. I am so glad you’re home.”

“I’m sorry.” I don’t even know why I say it, it slips out before I can stop it. The words are small, just for us.

Because, out of everyone, it was hardest not to have any contact with Cherise. Especially when I was most frightened during the pregnancy and then all the years that followed. There were many times when I thought about calling her, but I never wanted to put her in a position to choose between me and the club. It wouldn’t have been right.

Maybe I was a little bit afraid of which one she’d pick.

“No, that’s not necessary. You don’t owe anyone an apology. I only hope we can find a way forward, a way back to each other even after all this time?” She asks it like a question, like it’s my choice instead of something already decided.

“I think I’d like to try,” I offer.

It’s the best I can do. She lights up anyway. “I’m going to get to know my granddaughter,” she says it with pride and then she’s off after hugging me too quickly for me to protest. Which was probably her plan all along.

Rune steps next to me and I find myself reaching for him like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Our fingers intertwine and I let out a long breath. He studies my face for a long moment before murmuring softly, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” I can’t help but smile. “I am.”

I let myself relax while reconnecting with people I knew ten years ago and meet people who are new to me and Rune. It’s a surreal experience to be back after so long and to see what has changed and what has stayed the same.

It feels like I’m right where I’m supposed to be while also being a fish out of water. The only thing I can do is push the feeling aside so I can enjoy the here and now.

Nothing gets too rowdy and people are kind to me and Dawn. I really can’t ask for anything more. The whole day and evening are loud, chaotic, and absolutely perfect.

Just as I notice Dawn starting to lose steam very quickly, along with all of her new friends, Prodigal approaches me. “We have a room set up for the kids in the clubhouse. It’s both a playroom and a bunk room. Would it be okay if Dawn spent the night in there with the other kids? We usually rotate through keeping an eye on them unless a Prospect is assigned the task.”

I look at my daughter who is sitting on Rune’s lap with her head on his shoulder while he chats with Driller and his woman Emery. She’s completely relaxed and about to fall asleep.

“Yeah, I think she’d like that.”