Page 91 of Darcy
It’s one of those moments where it feels like time stands still. The city is still moving around us, but the four of us don’t move. I’m not sure we’re even breathing.
“I’m not too much?” I mean for the words to come out a lot harsher, but they’re an insecure whisper stolen by the wind.
“Never.” Slate steps closer. “I shouldn’t have said that. I just picked the words I thought would get you to leave us because I was convinced that was the only way to keep you safe.”
“You could never be too much for us,” Dodger promises. “We’re made for you, baby girl. You fit us.”
“I heard part of your conversation in the car with Miguel,” I admit, looking away, guiltily. “I hacked your phones, so I figured our whole break up was about protecting me. I just didn’t realise it would hurt so much.”
“We’ll make it up to you,” Slate promises, with utter conviction in every word. “By our fiftieth wedding anniversary, you’ll be laughing about this.”
My brows rise. “Fiftieth, huh?”
He offers me a rakish grin. “Soul mates,cariño, remember?”
I shore up my walls, because that’s not the only issue here. “And my job? You really don’t have any issues with the fact that I kill people for money?”
They share a look, as if silently debating who will answer me.
“I mean, if you were slaying the innocent in cold blood, we probably would,” Arlo finally admits. “But we know you. You’d never do that.”
“My organisation only takes on the worst scum,” I promise.
“Like Miguel,” Slate growls.
I check that we’re still alone before nodding. “He and his brothers, yes. The time before that, it was a senator who liked feeling up underage boys. And before that, it was a slimy English mogul who was running scams against the elderly and robbing them of their life’s savings. We only go after the bad guys. Man—my adoptive father—makes sure of it.”
“You're a badass,” Dodger concludes. “And even if you were just an accountant or something, you’d still be our Darcy.”
“If you’re waiting for us to judge you for what you do, you’ve got the wrong band,” Arlo finishes. “Between us, we’ve seen some of the worst shit the world has to offer. We know that the planet would be a better place if people like Miguel didn’t inhabit it.”
I swallow. “And what about Prophet?”
“I have a plan.” Slate grins.
Arlo’s head falls back, thunking against the barrier as a groan of exasperation falls from his lips. “Has there ever been a time where you didn’t?”
I have to admit, Slate’s plans are not filling me with confidence, given the low success rate so far.
“It’s not bad this time,” Dodger adds. “Tomorrow, Prophet is going to his parents, like he always does when we’re in town. We’re all invited because Mama P loves us. We’ll just bring you along and introduce you as the band’s girlfriend.”
“That’s a terrible idea,” I retort, blinking at him in disbelief.
“Mama P will love you on sight,” Arlo reassures me. “She’s just that kind of person. Destiny, his youngest sister, is the same. His dad just wants his girls happy, so he won’t say a word.”
I’m unable to hide my scepticism. “And his mom loving me is somehow going to change his mind?”
“Just give it a chance,” Slate pleads. “If this doesn’t work, I’ll let him walk away, no fuss.”
Both of my brows rise in pure disbelief. Slate, give up on something? I don’t believe it.
“Fine,” I agree, because despite myself, I’m intrigued. “I’ll come to dinner. But after this, no more pushing Prophet. I’m not going to force him to join us if he doesn’t want to.” That will just end miserably for all involved.
Arlo pulls me down onto his lap. “Now, can you two please stop interrupting my date? It’s bad enough I have to have my baby sister shadowing me.”
Dodger smirks. “How about I swap with Emma, and the three of us can go somewhere more exciting than a statue garden?”
“I wanted somewhere peaceful,” Arlo grumbles.
