Page 5 of Chains
“Hey.If it helps get the show right Halloween night, you do whatever you need to, honey.”Violet smiled.“If you’re interested in expanding, I know for a fact Caleb will volunteer.”
“Caleb… Harrington?”I looked around like I might see the young man.
“You know my son?”Violet eyed me curiously.
“Well, yeah.He’s been hanging out around my stand since I started helping with it, before it was all mine.”
“I mean, I knew he loved going to the park every day the week before Halloween, but I didn’t realize he was around enough for you to know his name.”Then she frowned.“He didn’t prank you or anything, did he?”
“Oh no!Nothing like that!”I shook my head, grinning.“Caleb’s a wonderful guy.Though, I want it known I’m on to him.He helps me because I pay him in cookies and cupcakes and he has to try every single one.”
“He does, huh?”Violet narrowed her gaze as she looked around the room.
“Yep.”I laughed.“Pretty sure he’d do it no matter what, though.He’s been doing my dunking tank.He’s really good at goading grown men into dropping twenty or thirty dollars trying to dunk him.He’s the best moneymaker we have.”
“Okay, nowthatI believe.”Riot stepped up beside Violet and dropped a kiss on top of her head.“See?I’m not the only one he bullies.”
“He doesn’t bully you, Riot.”Violet rolled her eyes at the big man.“You’re afraid of him, and you give in to his every whim.”
“Isn’t that bullying?”Riot looked genuinely confused.
“No, honey.”Violet patted his arm.“It’s much more complicated than that.”
“Yeah,” Riot grumbled.“No fuckin’ shit.Kid’s a master manipulator.”
“You’re just now figuring that out?”Pippa grinned.
“I mean…” Riot scratched his head.“Kid’s a… he’s a dark horse.”His eyes widened with what looked almost like fear but that was hard to imagine.“I’ll never forget that time I woke up and he was standing beside the bed.Looking right at me.He didn’t move but I just knew he was gonna stab me in the kidney.”
“To be fair,” Violet snagged his beard and tugged until he was looking at her.“You were in my bed without his permission.”
“He’s a kid, for crying out loud!”Riot threw his hands up in exasperation.“I don’t need his permission for any fuckin’ thing.”He sounded indignant.Then he stiffened, staring straight ahead, fear and dread dropping over his expression like a veil.“He’s behind me.Isn’t he?”
I avoided looking at anyone because I absolutely would not be the first one to break.Someone cleared her throat.Someone else coughed.
Riot heaved a sigh, then turned around.Caleb had his arms crossed, leaning against a post, his gaze fixed on Riot.
Caleb pointed to his own eyes with two fingers, then pointed at Riot with the same two fingers in an “I’m watching you” gesture.
“Fuck me,” Riot muttered.“Kid’s creepy.”
“Treat my mom right and you have nothing to worry about, big guy.”Caleb gave him a smile that was nothing less than a promise.You know.To make Riot’s death as long and painful as possible if he didn’t treat his mother right.
That was all the rest of us could take.Everyone burst out laughing.Especially Riot.Caleb just looked down his nose at the bigger man and smirked.And no.I have no idea how that worked given Riot was at least four or five inches taller than Caleb.
Caleb punched Riot in the shoulder playfully as he passed, grin firmly plastered on his face.Riot kissed Violet’s cheek before following Caleb outside.
“Come on,” Pippa said, looping her arm through mine.“Let’s get you settled.I think we even managed to scrape together a few changes of clothes for you.Make me a list of anything else you want.I’ll make sure you get it.”
My throat tightened unexpectedly.I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been surrounded by so many people who seemed genuinely pleased to meet me and really wanted to help me.In most places, my quirks and obsession with Halloween made me the weird girl who didn’t quite fit in.To say nothing of the cats.Who I needed to see to.
“Thank you,” I managed, blinking back sudden tears.“I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you’ll help us decorate for Halloween around the compound,” Pippa said, her eyes twinkling.“Carrie mentioned it’s your favorite, and us girls want to go all out with the holidays this year in celebration.”
“What are you celebrating?”I was curious about these people and wanted to know them better.
“Our very first holiday season as a family.”Carrie slipped her arm through my other arm.“Besides, we’d hoped you would be part of the celebration with us.”
