Page 23 of Graves & Griggs
I can’t help but let a dry laugh out at that. Cartoons it is, then.
I lift him into my arms, letting out a yawn as I walk towards the living room. I grab the remote off the kitchen island and press a button. The light from the TV illuminates the living room and the body sitting on the couch.
“Jesus!” I snap, my heart pounding with adrenaline. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust, then I see that it’s Blake sitting on the couch.
She turns to face me, an apologetic half-smile on her face as she speaks. “Sorry. I didn’t think anyone would be up this early.”
“Nightmare,” I say as I lift Brooks a little higher on my hip.
Blake nods like she knows the feeling all too well before she goes back to staring at the wall.
“Cartoon! Cartoon!” Brooks says, snagging my attention. I quickly put on his favorite show and walk over to the couch.
Brooks takes a seat front and center while Blake sits off to the right and I sit to the left. He’s quickly engrossed in his show, and I sit there for a few moments before speaking.
“Sounds like your guys will be leaving soon.”
She doesn’t respond for a moment, then she nods.
“Vincent is going with them too, to help or whatever. He’s good. You shouldn’t worry.”
Blake’s head slowly turns to me, and now I’m able to fully see the haunted look in her eyes. The fear. The pain. Like she too knows nightmares, perhaps greater than any of us. Or maybe she’s living her worst one now. “Dom and Zay are too. They’re the best, and it still might not be enough to bring them home safe.”
I don’t have any comforting words, nor do I try to offer any because she’s right. From the light research Dominic did last night, these Four Horsemen dudes seem like nothing to fuck with.Vincent talked about Zayden Graves like he was the Grim Reaper himself, and the way Zayden Graves talks about the Four Horsemen… yeah, I see why she’s concerned.
We stay quiet for half the episode before she speaks again.
“You’re the group’s leader, aren’t you?”
I can’t help but scoff. Not sure how I feel about being the group’s leader. Also not sure how I feel about my marriage being referred to as a group. I do lead the Brethren. I oversee dozens of businesses that are incorporated into our society, but…
“Not really. If anything, Skyla is the leader. We’re all happy to exist in her world.”
A soft chuckle escapes her as she nods. “That’s how the guys talk about me too. The world doesn’t normally look at relationships like ours with fondness, but it’s nice to meet other people who?—”
“Don’t give a fuck what anyone else thinks?” I fill in.
She nods. “Exactly.”
Another heavy silence passes between us before she turns to face me fully.
“So, no one will tell me what you all actually do. I assume you’re not a mercenary like Griggs.”
“Definitely not,” I scoff. “We’re members of a… group. A community.”
“Like a cult?” Blake asks.
“No,” I snap defensively. “A… society.”
“Like a secret one?”
I give her a flat look before lifting an eyebrow. “If I answered that question, it wouldn’t be much of a secret, would it?”
She lifts her hands in surrender. “Fair enough. I thought my family lived the most mysterious lifestyle, but this place…” she says as she looks around the cabin. “I think you have us beat.”
I shrug as I look down to see Brooks is now passed out, his head on my lap and a small puddle of drool forming on my sweats.
A creak from the other side of the room has me turning myhead to find Zayden, Dominic and Vincent, dressed in all black like they’ve decided to play spies. Both of the Graves brothers are staring at me with murderous rage.
