Chapter 24 #2
“Magic!” young Ace exclaims from his father’s lap upon spotting the Zippo in my hand.
“I’ll show you some magic tricks after supper.” I smile back at him. “Would you like that, Ace?”
“Yeah!” The child claps his little hands.
Another disgruntled growl of a sigh escapes his father.
I reclaim my seat once the tapered candles are lit.
Keegan sends Ace over to Vanna while he carves the large turkey, divvying out slices onto plates handed around the table. Platters with all the traditional sides are passed around as well, until everyone has a full plate.
I keep my watering mouth clamped shut as I stare at the bountiful pile before me.
I’ve never consumed a home-cooked meal before…
Not anything made from scratch, at least. Not like this.
And not so much. But I don’t want to miss the opportunity of sampling everything Vanna has prepared.
I’ve heard of meals cooked with love… That one is even able to distinguish the taste.
The quote about those who are not fed love on a silver spoon, learn to lick it off knives, springs to mind.
Perhaps I truly do hunger most for this elusive ingredient.
When I happen to glance up, I realize their VP hasn’t shifted his resentful glare from me.
“Snowy should be sitting where you are right now,” Viper mutters, just loud enough not to draw attention from the two young children among us.
“ Mi amor…” the other dark-haired beauty at our table whispers, gently touching his arm. “This is not a good time… The children are present.”
His narrowed eyes slide to Keegan. “And you allowed this.”
Keegan opens his mouth to respond when Vanna’s voice rises at the other end of the table.
“He didn’t allow anything, Viper. This is my home, too.
If you wish to discuss this further, I’m happy to do so with you after we’ve eaten, after the children are settled , and we can step outside.
” There’s an authority in her tone I haven’t heard from her before.
“Rosita,” Vanna’s voice turns soft again, “Would you like to say Grace?”
Grace, in her Pagan household? I wonder if she’s truly shed her catholic upbringing, or if she’s simply making the gesture for Rosita’s sake.
“My pleasure.” Rosita smiles, encouraging the little girl seated between her to fold her hands in prayer as well. Eyes fluttering closed, she proceeds to thank the Good Lord for all of their blessings, being among friends and family, this bounty of food, etcetera, etcetera.
Upon her Amen , Keegan chimes in. “And Lord, before we enjoy this meal, we ask forgiveness for our sins… Especially for Legion, here…” Keegan begins, the corner of his mouth curling into a crooked, devious grin.
“Whose numerous atrocities include attempts to destroy our town, our county, our club, and our family.”
Vanna clears her throat, unfolding her hands to tap her fingernail lightly against the tablecloth to get his attention while sparing the children from a potential scene. I can barely refrain from grinning at Keegan’s admittedly amusing attempt to shame me.
“And Lord,” Viking joins in, naturally . “Let our appetites not be discouraged by memories of the box he left containing an eyeball on the porch of this very home.”
Axel’s shoulders are jerking as he struggles to laugh silently where he sits across from me, between Cherry and Viper.
Keegan continues, “And may the examples of Legion’s transgressions harden our resolve and inspire us always to be better men in service to our community and families… Amen.”
I’m about to pick up my fork when Viper suddenly interjects. “And Lord, please also forgive us for our own transgressions against our brother Axel, despite our best intentions.”
Well, this should be interesting…
Everyone at the table is dead silent until Keegan grumbles, “ Jesus fuck …” His choice words during what was supposed to be Grace have me fighting another grin.
Axel opens his eyes to glance at Viper, then Dean. “What?”
“Nice, Viper.” Keegan lets out a frustrated sigh. “We voted on this. We agreed , remember?” he shakes his head, disappointment written plainly on his face.
“Voted on what?” Axel glances around the table at his silent brothers, but he settles his attention on Keegan once more.
“ Nope , fuck this.” Viking lets out a loud huff as he grabs a gravy boat and drizzles some over his plate.
He snatches a fork next and digs into his mountain of food.
“Amen was called. I’ve been looking forward to this all week.
It’s chow time.” He jabs me roughly in the arm with his elbow.
“If I were you, I’d eat as fast as I could.
You’re about to be thrown out on your fancy ass.
” Viking shoves a helping of stuffing into his mouth, then points his fork at Viper sitting across the table.
Over a mouthful, he tells him, “You’re a fucking dick for this. ”
“ There are children at this table!” Vanna whispers harshly.
She’s got her hands over Ace’s ears, though the child seems unfazed and is rather content with his mashed potatoes and gravy, following Viking’s lead.
The little girl beside Rosita, however, has climbed into her mother’s lap and is staring at her disgruntled father.
“A dick for what?” Axel asks, “What’s going on?”
“Why don’t you let the demon tell him?” Viper glares at me.
“Somebody better tell me something,” Axel says, sitting back against his seat. Cherry rubs his arm and looks curiously at Keegan. When he shamefully drops his gaze from her, it’s evident she’s been kept out of the loop as well.
“I’m happy to enlighten the young couple,” I say, drawing their attention to me.
“Might we first enjoy the bountiful fruits of our lovely Vanna’s labor?
It would be an absolute shame to go on disrupting this exquisite meal with further conversation unbefitting of such an effort on her part to unite us all.
What I have to share has been in place a while now, and as far as I can see, you two appear to be just fine. ”
“What’s this got to do with Cherry?” Axel demands.
“Nothing, directly,” I say, picking up my fork and knife. “Shall we?”
Axel looks to Keegan once more. “It’s nothing imperative.” Keegan attempts to assure them. “No one is in any danger.”
Axel grabs his fork with a measure of animosity I’ve rarely witnessed in him. “Fine,” he concedes. “Let’s eat.”
T he plate in my hands is already spotless, but I keep scrubbing it under the running faucet in the kitchen sink as if somehow, I can wash away what’s coming. The fact that Viper and Rosita left with Mia shortly after dinner hasn’t changed anything.
For a man who has spoken so few words, at least in front of me anyhow, Viper sure knows just what to bring up to ruin a mildly tense, but otherwise pleasant evening, all things considered. I wish I could stuff that remark back in his mouth like I stuffed the damn turkey!
The plate slips through my fingers as Dean takes it from me and places it in the drying rack. “Are you alright?” he quietly asks.
I briefly glance over my shoulder at our remaining guests. Chopper left shortly after Viper did for his shift at the safehouse, and Viking, Axel, and Cherry are with Ace in the living room. Legion has remained in the dining area, alone, and is staring out the front windows.
I peer up at Dean. “I’m just waiting for the bomb Viper dropped in the middle of dinner to detonate,” I whisper. Dean lets out a tense sigh, but before he can speak, I do, “Don’t say it. Legion didn’t start it.”
He nearly frowns at me. “ Legion is the reason ?— ”
“ Dean.” I glare back at him firmly.
“ Fine… Fuck… I still can’t believe you invited him,” he grumbles under his breath, then lets out another defeated-sounding sigh. “What do you want me to do?”
“It has to be addressed. Maybe you can convince Axel to wait until Church, but Cherry is going to ask me what is going on, and I don’t want to lie to her face.
She’ll know.” I glance in her direction again, and this time she smiles back at me.
But there’s a tense apprehension in her eyes.
She is definitely going to ask me. “Should we just do this over dessert?” I ask, peering back up at my husband.
“You know I think the world of your cooking, Vanna, but I don’t think even your homemade apple pie is going to soften the blow of this situation,” Dean says.
“Well, I made sweet-potato pie, too.”
Dean chuckles, then reaches his hand behind me to gently rub my back. I know he’s trying to be comforting. “They aren’t going to be upset with you, Vanna. Axel will be pissed at me more than anyone else.”
I shut off the faucet and dry my hands, then I place the towel on the edge of the sink to turn and face him.
Taking Dean’s other hand, I give it a gentle squeeze.
“He’ll understand. We’re here to help him understand.
I won’t let anyone make you the bad guy, Dean.
” He offers me a pressed smile, appreciative of the support, I’m sure, but there is doubt in his eyes.
We work together in the kitchen to prepare coffee and tea for our guests, and Cherry helps me reset the table for dessert.
With nearly half the seats in our dining room now empty, there’s room for everyone to sit wherever they want.
Dean claims his usual spot at the head of the table, with Viking nearest him on one side, and Axel and Cherry across from Viking, on his other side.
Legion moves to the seat closest to me, opposite Ace.
Though I’m not so sure I want Ace here for this impending conversation.
As if Viking senses my apprehension, he speaks up. “Why don’t Ace and I take our desserts to his room before you all get into this discussion?”
Dean simply nods, and I immediately stand up to prepare them plates. Ace peers up at me curiously, as we’ve always had a strict no snacks in the bedroom rule.