Page 56 of Misery
The kitchen is bright with afternoon sun when we emerge.
Emil and Saga are at the counter, coffee and domesticity.
The dogs lift their heads, tails wagging at Elfe's appearance.
They both look up, take in Elfe, the way we're standing too close, the way she unconsciously leans into my space.
"Morning," Elfe says, chin up, daring them to comment.
"Afternoon," Saga corrects gently. No judgment in her tone, but I catch the look she exchanges with Emil. Concern mixed with understanding. "Hungry?"
"Starving."
Saga pours her coffee while Emil watches me.
It’s a silent brother to brother communication.
He knows what happened, probably heard it.
These walls aren't that thick, and Elfe wasn't quiet when she came apart in my hands.
"Elfe's working tonight," I announce.
"Like hell," Emil starts.
"It's not up for debate." Elfe accepts the coffee gratefully, wrapping both hands around the mug like it's anchoring her. "I need something normal. Just one shift. Oskar will be there."
"It's dangerous," Saga says carefully. She's got that tone she uses when trying to manage situations without triggering anyone's temper.
"Everything's dangerous now." Elfe's voice doesn't waver. "At least at Bubba's I'm surrounded by the club. Protected. It's probably the safest place besides here."
Emil and I exchange looks.
I understand what she’s saying, but she forgets what happened, or maybe she’s just ignoring it.
I killed two of them there.
Still, at least there are witnesses, backup if needed.
If they want to make a move, they'd have to deal with immediate retaliation.
"Fine," Emil gives in. "But you wear a vest under your clothes. And you don't leave through any back doors alone. No smoke breaks. No taking trash out."
"Agreed."
The afternoon passes in a strange sense of domesticity I haven’t ever experienced.
Elfe showers properly this time.
I hear her singing softly—something I haven't heard in the months I've been watching her.
She does her makeup, not too thick, but just enough to accentuate her natural features, war paint for a different kind of battle.
I clean my weapons at the dining table and check them twice.
Honestly, I need to keep my mind busy.
I strap more than usual to my body—ankle piece, shoulder holster, knife in my boot, another at my belt.
