CHAPTER 18 #2
“I didn’t walk them in. I parked the hearse a little ways up the street and told them my mom was in here.
That I couldn’t have anybody noticing that I’m invisible.
They must’ve applied it to all of us. I didn’t leave until I knew every one of them made it inside, and then I took the car back to Leviticus.
” She dragged a hand through her gray hair.
“When I got back, I knew the word had spread. There were patrol cars everywhere with the lights on.”
The amount of shit these girls have probably been through is unreal. Made me wonder how many more didn’t make it out, and if Dan will be able to peg where their bodies are hidden. I didn’t even realize I was grinding my teeth.
“Romanov’s son got picked up in Russia. McKinley’s are toast, too. It’s over.”
She sighed as we made our way to the elevator. “I hope you’re right.” We stepped in when it opened and waited for the doors to close before speaking again. “She’s strong. We’re all gonna make it through this. Oh, and the money they took? It’s back in Dad’s bank account.”
“I know,” I smirked. Sev rolled her eyes.
“Course you do.” She hung her head and toed the floor with her shoe. “I don’t know how to say it without sounding some type of way, Dec. You know I’m popular because I’m so fucking nice and have a way with people.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Out with it.”
“Dad doesn’t want the money. He needs her to take it back. It’s tainted now, you know? Any joy it would have brought is—”
“I understand, Sev. I’ll take care of it.”
“…Thank you. I’m sorry.”
I slung an arm around her shoulders as the elevator opened. “Don’t be. None of this shite was supposed to turn out this way. Where we headed?”
“Sorry for this too…but Malek’s nuts are strung a little tight, waitin’ on us to get to the hospital courtyard. Greg brought Desiree’s. We’re having a sit-down with Dad.”
Ohhhhh shite.
Okay, so she’s always been right. No wonder Mal sports this joint for more than his milkshakes.
Chicken salad is gonna be a new thing for me, I just feel it.
I’m not even hungry…but let’s be honest…
when the fuck has that ever mattered? We all pretended not to see the elephant in the courtyard while we ate, and Greg finally broke the sound of scraping plastic forks and obnoxious smacking.
“So, I have it on good authority that Dad’s theory about the Batmobile being a transformer is probably legit.”
Seven stabbed her container with her fork and shot a look at her brother. “I hope you choke on pickle relish.”
Vernon tried not to smirk, but his face is just as hard as it’s been since that bullet entered Ruth’s body.
“We need to talk about it, Beans. The longer we wait, the more it seems to build. I’ll just take a whack at it and assume that the three of you were responsible for the mysterious deaths of people I could have sworn shot up our house and apparently kidnapped several women. ”
Malek puckered his lips, staring down into his food. I found myself a nice leaf on the cobblestone patio.
“Dad…I know that you—”
Vernon held up a palm. “I’m not finished. I’ve decided that, for all intents and purposes…what I think I’ve pieced together about everything…needs to remain a mystery if I wanna keep my sanity. I just need you all to swear to me…that this is over.”
Silence.
“Mr. Grey,” Malek started, clearing his throat. “If I may.”
We all lifted our heads.
“What you’ve pieced together is probably close to accurate, sir. And I’m sorry for that. I’ve made vows in the name of family when I didn’t have another choice. I made different ones the day I wed your daughter.”
Whoa, mate…full body chills.
Malek reached his left hand over, his wedding band glinting in the sunlight as he gripped Seven’s knee. She laid hers over it and pressed her mouth tighter while she looked at Vernon. Greg ate his chicken salad like it was popcorn.
“Bridget and I weren’t brought up in a house that recognizes love as anything but a weakness.
It’s been used against me more times than I can count.
I’ve had to do some very bad things for love.
I’ve had to do some very bad things to keep it.
But I meant every word I said to her in the chapel of that house that day, and I swear to you…
our wish for her and everybody that shares blood with her…
it’s the same. That means you. That means Ruth… Greg. Those girls…”
“And the baby?” Greg interjected.
I guess Sev was hoping everybody forgot about the conversation we were all having at the table right before Ruth nearly met her maker.
“When and if there is one, Greg,” she sighed. “We’re not pregnant. And we didn’t want everybody knowing about any of it until there was something to tell.”
Malek cut in. “It’s somethin’ we’re talkin’ about.
Somethin’ important to both of us, but also somethin’ I would never use as a weapon.
My father wasn’t like that. That’s why I’m hoping that you’ll find it in you to forgive me, Mr. Grey.
And Bridget too…‘cause we were brought up to end lives for our family. And if there’s even the smallest threat to any of you…
respectfully, sir…it’ll never be over. I’ll use my last breath to curse a fucker. ”
“Here, here!” I stupidly yelled, raising my nearly-empty orange juice. At least Greg followed suit. Making an arse of myself is becoming a habit. Fuck.
Vernon stared into Mal’s eyes, and I know there can’t possibly be a part that would disagree with a thing that slick git just said to him. It’s as painfully honest as one can get. And he has children he’d gladly die for.
“I feel like I need to just add, like the doting big brother I am, that…I didn’t lose a wink of sleep after being the reason any of those men were in a box,” Greg said, forking a mouthful of chicken into his gourd.
“And nobody should be damned because of the family they were born into. It’s what you make of it.
For what it’s worth…our family business has never been smiled on, either.
But I know me and Pipsqueak here never had any regrets. ”
“Thanks, loser,” Sev winked, taking a bite.
“See? That’s the spirit. Keep that up and I might give you the mud pie I snagged from Desiree’s.”
It dawned on me that, while a hell of a lot more violent, the Byrne house wasn’t too much different from what I’m witnessing in this courtyard.
Backwards and way bloodier…but this was us as bairns.
All of us. Even Finley and his traitorous arse.
Shavonn was part of that childhood too. A lot like Sev, and just as feisty and determined.
Only difference other than the obvious? Was power.
Vernon stood and I tensed, waiting for something bad to happen. I hate that it’s my first instinct, nowadays. Malek raised from his chair, ready to accept whatever came next…but a hand stretched between them.
“She’s as precious to me as her mother, Malek Byrne. And I’m proud to have you as a son.”
Sniffle.
Mal’s jaw feathered and he grasped Vern’s hand, shaking firmly before pulling him into a hug.
“I think I’m about to start my period,” I mock-cried, fanning my face. Greg burst into laughs and Seven palmed her face.
“Take that chap home with you. Please,” Vernon smirked, shaking his head.