Page 93 of Bourbon & Blood

She wanted some motherfuckers to suffer and die? Well, in that regard, I was but my dark queen’s instrument.

I would make that shit so. I just needed to see her safe, first.

Hex’d told me how her manager’d spoke to my girl on the phone and that was another thing I had on my list of shit to do. That transgression was likely to cost ol’ Clyde some teeth.

It was after midnight afore we finished moving all her shit out and up to her old apartment. I’d ridden behind a load and left my bike at the club and drove back with the truck. When it was the last run and Alina was ready to go, I put her in the passenger seat and watched out the corner of my eye as she waved at Dorian and Marcus stayin’ behind on the sidewalk before they walked themselves home.

I’d let ‘em know where she was going, and I also let ‘em know not to even speak it. That there was far too much at stake and I’d give ‘em the all-clear as soon as we had it.

“Where are we going?” Alina asked, and she sounded so tired.

“Back where you belong, cher. Don’t you worry. I got it all in hand.”

She turned to me, her eyes wide, when we took the familiar streets around her old apartment.

She sank back in her seat with relief when I pulled the truck up outside and the boys started pullin’ shit out of it to take it upstairs.

It wasn’t perfect, boxes and furniture all over and in no sort of order, but it was all up here. We’d help her get it done, but for tonight, I’d be taking her home to the swamp where it was quiet and calm.

I borrowed Hex’s truck to do it. I couldn’t trust her to ride.

“Shower?” I asked as we stepped off the boat onto the barge, and she shook her head, looking half-dead on her feet.

“I just want sleep,” she said, and I nodded.

I took her upstairs, undressed her, and tucked her in.

“Where are you going?” she asked, holding onto my hand.

“Babe, I been sweatin’ my ass off,” I chided gently. “Idoneed a shower, okay?”

She nodded and let me go.

I took a long one, and with the lack of any decent rain beyond the one thunderstorm that’d we’d had lately, I worried marginally about the tanks, but not too hard.

When I got back to the bed, she was sprawled out and fast asleep. I honestly couldn’t wait to join her. I would be sore tomorrow.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-FOUR

Alina…

I woke up to sounds of sizzling and the most delicious smells permeating the small house. Then I took another sniff of the air andoh… coffee.I shifted, the bed creaking, and I had to wince. The combination of so many emotions, the frantic boxing and moving my shit, and La Croix’s awful, awful, bed did my body in. I was so sore.

He appeared at the top of the stairs and handed me a cup of coffee and crouched by the bed, tracing a middle finger along my hairline and pushing my hair behind my ear, out of my face.

“Hey.” His voice was rough but gently sweet.

“Hey,” I murmured and sipped the coffee between my hands. It was good, just the way I liked it. He was a quick study where I was concerned. Observant.

“Don’t get up,” he said. “I’ll bring you breakfast up here.”

“You’re too good to me,” I said, and I felt my lip tremble. He leaned in and kissed me sweet. Without another word, he got back up and went down the stairs again.

I drank my coffee and tried to wake up, and soon he returned with two plates.

I set my mug aside and accepted one, famished while at the same time not hungry at all. I took a bite of bacon and looked over at him as he settled on the bed beside me. I said, “It’s good, thank you.”

He nodded and chewed quietly, and we simply ate together in silence, which was nice.

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