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“Oh, you know, just Lovely and Blanche. We’re having a nice time. We’re, ah, making cookies for the kids.”

“Lovely I can believe, but I’ve never once seen Blanche bake anything. And Chewy refuses,” Gus whispers with narrowed eyes.

“Chewy, where the fuck are you? Tell me right now before I hunt you down and tan that plump little ass of yours.”

“Whoa hey!” Jules growls.

“Oh kinky,” she purrs over the line. There’s more rummaging and the male voice again.

“That’s fucking Moss Davies!” Tank says, pointing to Rhodie’s phone lying face up with the speaker on.

“Oh! That’s the timer, gotta go byeeeee.” She hangs up and we sit in silence staring at the blank screen.

We wait a beat, then two, then the room erupts in movement. “Pack it in boys, we’re heading home!”

Chapter 21

Lovely

We sit in wait as the clock ticks over another minute.

“I’d almost prefer they just surprise us at this point. Watching that clock is driving me crazy,” Blanche whines.

“Could be worse. We could be perched up on the roof in the afternoon sun.” Mira shrugs.

I think of Pops on one roof and TumTum on the other. Texas sun isn’t known for going easy on a man, so we should have really sent someone less pale than TumTum up there. The poor kid will be burnt to a crisp.

“I hope TumTum has sunscreen on,” Ana says, echoing my thoughts.

Mama Debs is still bustling around the kitchen, finalizing the last of the food she has panic baked for the kids. As far as they’re concerned they’re going to have a bunker party and sleepover. Kaia’s kids and Sage know what’s happening, and are more than happy to help Mama Debs, Nat, Ana, Mira and Kaia out.

“I’m ready,kotiro. Let’s get these kids downstairs, yeah?” Mama Debs says, arms loaded with food, the older kids trailing behind, with babies in their arms.

The Girl Gang is splitting up and I can’t help but feel a little emotional. What if something happens? What if this is the last time we see each other? I grip each woman, one at a time, and hug her tight to me. These women have helped me through some of the worst times of my life, and have been there for some of the happiest. I’m blessed to have such amazing friends that I can call family.

“You sure you want to do this? You could come with us?” Nat whispers in my ear.

I’m shaking my head before she finishes her sentence. “No, I have to do this. If only to rein Chewy in, if need be.”

She nods and gives me a little smile. “Good thinking, her and Blanche need someone level headed like you, otherwise they’ll go on a rampage.”

We share a smile and she gives me a little wave as she heads to the stairs leading to the basement.

“Give them hell.”

Those of us staying wave to our friends and babies. I blow kisses to Bee as her smiling face descends down the stairs in Annie-Bella’s arms.

“You all good?” Mad Dog asks, his large body near mine giving me comfort I didn’t know I needed at this point.

“Yeah. Just want this to be over with.”

“It will be. I’ve seen some of the shit Pops has set up. This place is like the fucking Home Alone house.”

I snort at the description because that was one of the first movie’s Tav made me watch. If that’s what Chewy and Pops have set up, then I can’t wait to see Renae and whoever she’s bringing with her step onto our land.

“We got blacked out SUVs rolling through town heading this way,” Remy’s voice comes through the comms we’re all wearing, keeping us updated.

“Everyone in position,” Chewy barks.

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