Page 90 of Merciless
At some point I kicked off my shoes and danced barefoot, the grass cool and soft on my aching soles. Spinning away from Gunner, I left our makeshift dance floor in search of a drink and place to sit to catch my breath. Reaper pushed a glass of water into my hands, then was quickly pulled away by some guy calling his name.
I was plopped down on the back porch, chugging my water, when a large man took a seat next to me.
T-Bone cleared his throat awkwardly. "We're taking off, Mari. Thanks for having us."
"What, already?" I set my water down to wrap my arms around his bicep. "You're not leaving yet. I won't let you."
He let out a rumbling chuckle but firmly removed his arm from my hold. "We've got an early ride tomorrow."
"Oh yeah, where are you guys going?"
T-Bone swallowed, taking a long time to answer and looking unusually serious. "Mari, we're leaving Four Corners. For good."
"What?" I rocked away from him, taken aback in the moment, but in reality, it wasn't all that surprising.
"Yeah. I'm glad the Demons have found a home here, but it feels like we've outgrown the place. We'd been thinkin' on it for a while, but after Grudge's whole hostage situation...it's just time for us to move on."
"I hate to hear it, but I understand." I placed a hand on his forearm. "After everything you've done, I'm sorry you weren't treated better here."
"Shit happens." He shrugged. "We'll find a place where our funky little threesome can live like kings."
The question,What about Kyrie?hovered on the tip of my tongue, but I decided against voicing it. Their decision was made, and while I didn't hold out hope that she would attend our party, it was clear that she had wanted to see them. I had thought the feeling was mutual, but it wasn't my place to get involved.
"You guys better visit," I said instead.
"I promise we will, little lady." T-Bone lifted an arm to wrap it around me in a side hug. "This isn't goodbye forever."
"Our house is always open to you," I told him, returning his squeeze. "Our food, our liquor, everything."
"Your prettiest husband?" He chuckled into my hair.
I slapped his chest. "No! Gunner's mine."
We laughed together, saying another friendly goodbye, until he reluctantly stood to break the news to the others.
I watched, a mixture of wistful and happy as T-Bone hugged my guys and tried to sneak a grab of Gunner's ass. The Sons of Odin were amazing allies and friends. We wouldn't be partying tonight if it hadn't been for their help. But not all paths continued in the same direction.
While T-Bone mingled with my guys, I stood from the porch and headed inside to find the other two. Grudge and Dyno were sprawled on a couch, drinks in hand and talking softly to each other.
“T-Bone told me,” I said at their glance up at me.
They sat up straighter, faces apologetic. “Mari…” Dyno began.
“No, it’s okay.” I took a seat on the coffee table in front of them. “I understand, just…” My fingers clasped together as I tried stringing my thoughts into words. “Just be careful out there. Take care of each other. Especially him.” I angled my head to indicate T-Bone, who was still off talking to my guys.
Gunner told me what happened when he and T-Bone were out in battle together against Blakeworth. He started that huge fire and went apeshit when they got captured, trying to goad Blakeworth officers into cutting out his tongue.
From how he reacted when Grudge was taken hostage too, it was clear T-Bone could be a loose cannon when those he loved were threatened. The jovial, flirtatious man still harbored a great deal of pain. Dyno and Grudge were likely the only ones keeping him grounded.
“We will.” Dyno nodded solemnly, understanding my meaning.
“I’ll miss you guys,” I sighed, and leaned in to accept their embrace when their arms opened up.
They left our house soon after and my chest tightened at the roars of their bikes starting up. I listened until the sounds of motorcycles faded, and the Sons of Odin rode off to start the new chapter of their lives.
Thirty-Four
REAPER
