Page 143 of Destined Dawn
“Do you think that’s possible?” I look up to my cousin.We were so close before. I hero-worshiped him. Then the distance grew between us and we hardly spoke. That distance has shrunk again now, and while I don’t have that same blind-sided awe for him that I once did, I still respect him more than anyone else. After all, he stood up to our shitty family and went his own way – even if that way didn’t prove to be much better. He did what he thought was right.
“Why not?” Azlan asks.
“My dad may be out of the picture. Things may be changing in the West. But you know how things go. You cut off the head of the snake only for another five to come slithering out of the woodwork. There’s too many powerful people invested in the status quo for things to change.”
“I disagree,” Stone says, resting one hand on my shoulder and one on Azlan’s. “Things can change, if you two force them to.”
“Us?” I say.
“Who else?” He shakes us slightly. “You’re the two heads of the famous and powerful Kennedy family. Now is your opportunity to change things.” He peers Rhi’s way. “And I have a feeling that Miss Blackwaters may have a few ideas about how things should change too. Fuck, I think Barone may even have one – just one mind you – good idea as well.”
“Ellie too,” I say. “She’s always understood people better than we have.”
“That’s true,” Azlan says, with half a smile. “Our dads always saw her empathy as a weakness but I think it’s her strength.”
“They got a lot of things wrong,” I say, gazing Rhi’s way again. “Time for us to put them right.”
54
Renzo
I hate parties.Too much noise. Too many people. Too many people trying their best to stay out of my way.
Not this party. This party people actually go out of their fucking way to talk to me. Okay, they’re still shaking in their boots when they do it, but they are trying.
Do I like it?
Hmm, not sure yet.
The only person I’m bothered with talking to is my little rabbit. Maybe one of the other dudes when I’m in the mood.
This is different. I guess things are going to be that way now.
The danger’s over. People are talking about new beginnings and change. I don’t know about any of that crap, but what I do know is she may no longer want me around. Little rabbit can be ruthless. Look what happened with the pig.
They’re talking about her like she’s some kind of actual angel, descended from the heavens to save them all. And an angel don’t need no devil hanging about. Kind of spoils the image.
I find a quiet spot on a wall and jump up with a bottle of beer in my hand, making it clear from the fuck-off expression on my face that I’m done with talking for now. I yank the bottle cap off with my teeth and spit it into the flowerbed.
“Hey!” little rabbit says, appearing out of thin air. She reaches out her hand and the bottle cap flies up into her palm. “Do you know how many hours of work I spent making this garden look as good as it does? No littering.”
I swing my gaze around. She may be losing that battle. There are discarded bottles and plastic cups strewn everywhere.
She beckons for me to scoot along and sits down on the wall next to me. I offer her up the bottle and she shakes her head.
“You know I’m not so good with my drink.”
I’m gathering this is the ‘serious’ talk then. Shit. I’ve had enough of those in my lifetime to know when they’re coming even if I can’t read people.
Sorry, you’re too much to handle.
Sorry, we’re kicking you out.
Sorry, but I’m placing a restraining order against you.
It gets old. It’s one of the reasons I stopped talking to people. Killing them was a hell of a lot easier.
Both my thighs jiggle and I’m sweating.
