Page 35 of Unbreakable
"You're bias," I tell her and head towards the bathroom.
"Damn right I am," Glory smiles.
"Alright, ladies. I'm going to leave you to it." Standing, Emerson grabs her medical bag. "I'll see you both later. My shift starts in about two hours, and I have a feeling I'm going to have to sneak out of here to get there." She walks out the door and closes it behind her. She's right. Emerson is going to have a fight on her hands getting the men—one man, in particular, to let her leave with everything that’s going on. I hate that my baggage has affected them and permanently put everyone's life on hold for the moment. I've watched my friends overcome many obstacles over the years. The last thing I wanted to do was add to it.
"What's with the melancholy look on your face," Glory starts to move towards the bathroom.
"We are stuffed in this building like sardines because of my past, Glory. That doesn’t bother you at all?"
Pulling the shower curtain back,I turn the hot and cold water on and start filling the small tub.
"Why would it bother me?" She shrugs. "Look, life sucks sometimes. Right now, Ronan and his merry men happen to be the ones leaching on it for all it's worth right now. So, we do what we need to do and use the help you've been given to our advantage. You were lucky enough to get away from that piece of shit and his family. Sure, two years of hiding has been tough, but you are alive. Remi is alive."
Plopping down on the toilet seat, I take in my best friends words. Peeling her clothes off, she steps into the water and lowers herself.
"Oh my god," she moans as the warmth of the water relaxes her. "You have several large badass bikers on your side. I have a feeling the De Burca family has met their match, and I for one can't wait to see all of them go straight to hell." Closing her eyes, Glory sinks a little further into the water.
"Hell would be too good for the likes of Ronan De Burca." I murmur. Standing, I announce, "I'm gonna head downstairs and get busy cooking. Come find me when you're done," I tell her before leaving her to enjoy her bath in peace.
When I make my way downstairs, I find the common area taken over by many of the member's kids of various ages playing, watching TV, or playing video games. Turning to my left, I walk through the kitchen door and find Bella, Alba, and Raine milling around trying to get brunch ready.
"Hey, Grace, thank god you're awake. We could use an extra pair of hands in here," Bella announces as she pulls waffles from the iron then ladles more batter onto the hot surface before closing it tight.
"Put me to work." Taking the hair tie from my wrist, I pull my mess of hair away from my face and secure it in a low ponytail. Glancing around the kitchen, I notice someone missing. "Where Lisa?"
"Oh, Bennett took her to the grocery store. We've run out of bread and a few other items. They should be back before too long." Alba tells me as she hands her and Bella's daughter the toys they keep throwing over the edge of the playpen they have set up on the other side of the kitchen.
Roughly an hour later we have finished cooking. The kitchen door creaks open, and Quinn pops his head in. "We got the tables set up. You ladies need a hand?"
"Thanks, Quinn," says Bella who has two casserole dishes in her hands. Walking up to her, Quinn takes them from her and carries them out to the common room. Soon after, Blake walks in to help us as well. With a little help, we get everything laid out across three tables including the paper plates and plasticware. As the mommas go about plating some food for the smaller kids first, Jake walks up behind me and wraps his arms around my middle and leans down placing a light kiss on my neck. I let my eyes close for a moment enjoying the connection. Of all the ways he touches me... this—a light caress of his lips on my neck is my favorite.
"You smell so good, Little Bird." Jake murmurs.
Hearing a shuffle behind me, I peer around Jake's arm to see Glory making her way down the stairs. "Okay, people. I smell bacon." She announces.
"I put some aside for you in the microwave just in case you didn’t make it down in time," I laugh.
"You are the best," she pauses, grabs both sides of my face and plants a kiss on my lips. The gesture is nothing unusual to me. She's done this as long as we've known each other. She can be dramatic about it, but that’s how we are. She's my ride or die bestie. However, the lip action catches the attention of a couple of other people, one being Quinn who makes his feelings known on the public display of affection.
"Do it again," he begs holding a plate full of waffles and scrambled eggs as he stares in our direction. Adding fuel to his fire, true to Glory's nature, she blows him a kiss and smiles.
"Don't encourage him," Jake chuckles. "Besides, I don’t want Demetri to kill one of my men," he lifts his chin gesturing across the room. Glory and I follow his line of sight. Completely zoned in on my best friend with a stare so intense, even I can feel the heat, is Demetri. When I lift my eyes to Glory, her death stare in his direction is in full force. He has no idea what he wants to go after. Glory is a one of a kind force of nature. Demetri better be prepared for a chase because Glory will be a hard one to catch.
"That man wants to devour you," I whisper in her direction.
"Yeah well, too bad for him. I'm not interested. I'll be in the kitchen," Glory says breaking their connection and walking away.
"Did you believe a word she said?" Jake questions me as we continue to watch everyone eat.
"Not a word," I state.
"Come on," he grabs my hand, "Let's get some food before they eat it all." About the time we grab a couple of plates the front door burst open causing it to slam into the wall creating a loud thud. In stumbles, a bloodied Bennett assisted by Austin.
"Prez, he's been shot," Austin yells.
Struggling to stand, Bennett rages, "Jake, they got Lisa. Those motherfuckers took my woman."
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