Page 156 of I Will Revel in Glory (Death by Daybreak MC 3)
It’s literally the first time I’ve heard her curse in my entire life.
A laugh escapes me, but I clamp a hand over my mouth because I sound hysterical.
I’m going to miss having her around, seeing her regularly. It might very well be years before we’re in the same room again. That’s the reality of our situation.
“If there’s one thing you can count on, Mother Superior,” he says dryly, and she narrows her eyes on him. “It’s how I feel about Gidge. Get your shit in the car and let’s go.”
Reba puts her hand to her chest, as if, even though she just used the word ‘fuck’ for the first time, she’s still scandalized by Grainger’s easy cursing. That makes me smile, really and truly smile. Goddamn it, I’m going to miss this girl.
Cade turns away and pounds down the steps as if even that much emotion was too much for him. I lock eyes with Reba.
“I still hate ‘im. I still hate most of ‘em. But you know what? If anyone can handle these brutes, it’d be you.” I smile at that as she gestures down toward the bag at her feet. “I took some of Queenie’s clothes with me. I hope that’s okay?” She looks back up at me, the slightest flicker of fear in her eyes, like she doesn’t wonder if this might set me off again.
I reach out and take her hand in both of mine.
“New life, new start. Queenie would be thrilled to know you’re wearing her clothes. Lord knows I never would.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that,” Reba says with a raise of both red brows. “I found a whole box of maternity clothes. I took the liberty of washing them, drying them, and folding them. They’re in the top drawer of the dresser in my room.”
I almost cry at that one; I won’t lie. But we have more pressing matters.
Fire. Mafia. Cat.
I told him that I’d give him Grey’s location, and I will. Because Grey would want me to do that, for Reba’s sake. I just need to call him again in the morning for an update. Like I said, we’re friends, but we’re also rivals. We just have boundaries that we won’t cross with one another.
“Before I go …” Reba starts, biting her lower lip hesitantly. She rubs Fem’s ear again, as if for luck. I’ll admit, those velvety triangles are addicting. “I know you can’t show me exactly where my parents are buried, but …”
I exhale and then nod.
“Okay,” I say, and that’s that. I bend down to grab her bag, cluck my tongue for Fem to follow along, and head for the Escalade.
Grainger lets Reba have the front passenger seat, sitting in the back with Feminist. They keep their distance, but at least the dog doesn’t bite Cade. I consider that definite progress.
I end up taking Reba to the spot where Sin and I had sex in the rain, using the old-ass tree as a marker. It’s got a massive trunk, and it’s covered in those aptly named resurrection ferns. This is as good a spot as any for a grave.
Reba kneels down in front of the tree and clasps her hands together in prayer, her eyes closed tight. I hang back with Grainger and Fem near the Escalade, watching and waiting. If she needs or wants me there, I’ll go to her.
“I don’t hate your friend,” he tells me after a while, heaving a huge sigh as he glances my way. We look at each other as ash drifts down around us. It’s been bad for weeks, but it’s really bad today. As Grey said, the winds have blown the fire straight up toward us. Combine that with the years-long drought we’ve been having, the tinderbox like forests, the new suburban sprawl, and it’s a recipe for disaster.
I am not surprised in the least.
“I just don’t understand her,” he offers finally, looking back at Reba’s kneeling form. The way the clouds shift, casting a strange glow over her and the tree as well as me and Grainger, I assume that the divine is okay with whichever way we worship. Bodies in the dark, clasped hands in the light. Whatever brings us true joy and comfort.
“Sure you do,” I say, picking up a stick and throwing it for Fem. He catches it in mid-air, missing leg be damned, and manages to land without a hitch, bringing it right back over to me. “Just pretend that I’m God and your prayers are the things you mutter when your face is buried in my cunt.”
He snorts at me and gets out a pack of cigarettes, moving away from me before lighting up. He tosses a glance back in my direction and mumbles around the cigarette in his mouth. “At least I know that when I go to hell, you’ll be right there with me.”
