46. Sisters
Sisters
Sheridan
This was a very bad idea.
A very, very bad idea. But that didn’t stop me from doing it, anyway.
It turns out that Winnie’s castle has a very nice, fully stocked gym. With all the fancy gadgets.
But the one piece of equipment I’m interested in is the treadmill. After yesterday, I should avoid it.
My body is going to be screaming at me if I do this. I close my eyes and see the mottled bruises all over Fly’s body and hop up. Stupid or not, it’s happening.
***
I stumble, grabbing for the bars, just barely catching myself before I tumble face-first onto a moving treadmill.
That’s it. I need to stop before I hurt myself or my body completely collapses.
Having security find my lump of a body on the floor would not be good.
What am I going to do?
There’s no way I’m going to sleep knowing Fly is out there doing something dangerous, probably stupidly dangerous…though he isn’t a stupid man. You have to trust him to get out of whatever it is, safe and sound.
Go shower, and then you can figure out what to do next that doesn’t involve running until you fall down.
***
The castle is freezing, that’s why you’re walking around it wrapped up in a blanket. Not because the blanket smells like Fly, which is comforting.
And now I’m lying to myself. This is stupid. But at least if I fall down while walking through the castle, my skin won’t be ripped off by the revolving treadmill.
Twisted.
Go read a book.
Find a television and watch some nighttime shows.
When was the last time I just sat down and watched television when there wasn’t a game on? Maybe there will be a game on somewhere else in the world.
Why isn’t he back?
The sun will rise soon.
Giggles erupt down the hall.
Is someone else up?
Several someones, based on the giggles. I follow the sound to the front room overlooking the entrance of the castle.
The room is packed.
“Was there an event I missed?” At four in the morning, that’s doubtful.
“We’re waiting for the men to come back. Were you running?” Dahlia is swimming in this massive sweatshirt.
Wait, all their men are gone, too? I walk over and sink into a large armchair. “Does anyone know what’s happening?”
“They’re out saving the world.” Mindy’s sitting on the floor wrapped in a fluffy blanket.
Saving the world? So many questions pop into my head.
“It’s better not to ask questions that you don’t want to know the answer to.” Greer shakes her head. “And trust me, you don’t want to know the answer to that question.”
“Are we sure they just didn’t come up with something to get out of attending the party?” Savie’s needles click at a rapid pace. “Bram is having fun. But it’s pretty clear that some of them aren’t. Like your man, Dahlia.”
“Maverick is having fun. He just doesn’t quite get games yet. But he’s having fun.”
Is she saying that to make herself believe or make us? “Fly didn’t want to go. This isn’t him hiding from the game.”
“True. He wouldn’t need to leave, just drag you into the grotto or the conservatory.” Fiona grins at me.
A blush steals up my face. “You all know about that?”
“Half of us saw you.” Dylan reaches over to the end table for what looks like a cup of coffee.
That would have been a good thing to get.
“We shared that information with the group. So this is serious, isn’t it?” Dahlia asks.
“As serious as it can get when I’m leaving in a week.”
“You could stay a while longer. My guest room is always open.” Dahlia nabs a strawberry off one of the half-dozen trays scattered around the room.
“Or you could stay in my guest room.” Greer offers. “You’d be closer to him.”
“Rogue and I have a spare room too. And we’re just down the block from Fly’s place.”
Like I want to intrude at the newlyweds’ place.
“There’s always an extra room or three at Max’s place. Or you could stay in my old apartment. It’s just sitting there, empty. Though Dash has been known to make it known that we’re a little slow with his meals on occasion. My apartment would be quieter.”
“Wait. Say that again…” Dylan glares at Fiona. “What do you mean, Max’s place? Aren’t you two living together?”
Fiona glances down. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the idea that he picked me. That Massimo Vincenti fell in love with a woman like me.”
Her words speak to my soul in a way that no one else would probably understand.
“And yet he’s the one that won in this deal, finding an amazing woman like you.” Mindy reaches for a chocolate truffle.
“Only people who really cared about me would think a former prostitute was a catch.”
Fiona was a prostitute?
“You’re so making me mad right now. If one of the girls from Willow Street said that, you’d be all up in their face right now.” Dylan glares at her. “Why are you doing this to yourself?”
Fiona bursts into tears. “Because I love him so much, and today he might die.”
“No one is dying tonight.” Dahlia reaches for another strawberry.
“Maverick went, and he assured me this is going to be a nice, simple night. It might take a while with some logistics, but no one was going to be in any real danger. Why do these strawberries taste so good? I think I could eat a million of them.”
“You want something good? Try a truffle.” Mindy stands up and moves the tray toward Dahlia.
She takes one, pops it in her mouth, and melts along with the sweet treat. “Winnie’s caterer rocks.”
“Where is Winnie? Shouldn’t she be in on this little secret meeting?” Greer sets her head down on the back of the couch.
“Why? She doesn’t have a guy out there. She’s probably sleeping so that she can enjoy the party tomorrow.” Mindy settles back down on the couch. “That’s where I’d be right now if Maddox wasn’t out there, doing stupid man things.” She glares. “I need to solve this puzzle and win the game.”
“We could work on it right now,” Dylan suggests. “It could be like a clandestine meeting of the minds.”
“That sounds like fun.” Dahlia grabs another strawberry and a truffle, then proceeds to try to fit both in her mouth like it’s some sort of math problem that must be calculated to ensure world peace.
“Though we need to play along for the rest of the day. I really want Maverick to get involved. So far, his way of looking for clues is to walk up, glare at a person, and ask if they did it.” She bursts out laughing.
It shouldn’t be funny, but it is. I’d be terrified if he asked me if I did it. “I mean, I’d tell that man the truth.”
“Nah. I’d totally lie just for the fun of it.” Mindy grins. “But it helps that I’m not afraid of him.”
“Wait, there are people who are afraid of Dahlia’s husband?” Savie stops knitting and stares at us, dumbfounded. “How? That man is such a sweet teddy bear.”
“Exawee,” Dahlia says around the sweet treats before swallowing. “He’s just misunderstood. People see a big man without a classically beautiful face, and they think he’s a monster. That man is the sweetest man ever.” She’s so in love with that man she can’t see straight.
The rumble of motorcycles silences the group.
They’re back.
They’re back.
Tears fill my eyes. He’s alive. Fly’s alive. Bruised a bit, but alive.
The door opens, and everyone in the room stops breathing as we wait to see who steps in.
“Rogue!” Dylan is up and running straight into his arms.
Greer untangles her legs and tries pushing herself up, but fails the first time. “This baby has made me so awkward.”
“I’ve got you.” Havoc rushes over to lift her up. His hair is wet like he just showered.
So is Rogue’s.
Bram steps in behind them, and Bishop closes the massive door.
Where’s Fly?
Why isn’t he here?
Isn’t there a no brother left behind rule? I want to ask, but my throat is paralyzed with fear.
Savie stands up, tucking her project into the bag she always has with her, and walks over to Bram. They don’t say a word. They just walk out of the room, staring at each other.
The painful beauty of that moment strikes me hard.
There’s a quiet strength in the two of them.
“Why aren’t you in bed?” Havoc doesn’t set Greer down. “Our son needs his rest.”
“He’s moody tonight. Kicking me nonstop. I think he was as worried about you as I was.” She runs a hand across his face.
I turn away, not wanting to infringe on their moment, but wishing with all of my being that Fly was here.
Fiona lets out a loud sigh. “He’s alive.”
What? “How do you know that?”
“Because not one of those men would be here. Or at least not like that. They’d be taking one of us to our man if he was hurt or killed. So you don’t have to worry anymore.”
That doesn’t stop me from staring at the door, waiting for Fly to step in.
One by one, men trickle in until our three men are the only ones missing…I think. I don’t know all of Winnie’s security guys.
The sun is up, and the house is going to start waking up soon. Fiona says, “There are two more cars. That’s got to be them.”
He’s here.
He’s safe.
I can breathe…but I can’t, not until I see him.
We wait in silence as the castle door opens and heavy footsteps echo on the wood.
“Max.” Fiona dashes over to him, smashing her body into his.
Maverick steps around him and walks over to Dahlia. She grins up at him with pure joy. “I missed you.”
He reaches down like he’s picking up a fragile doll.
“Gently. My tummy hurts.”
“What? Do you need a doctor? I’ll go get you one.”
She places a hand on his face. “No doctor needed. I ate too much waiting for you.”
“I told you not to worry. This was going to be a walk in the park.”
“Yeah, but a walk in the park could mean a gunfight at high noon.” She squeezes him tightly.
“Something like that.” He starts walking towards the stairs and stops to look at me. “Fly’s fine. He’s just settling some details. He’ll be here soon.”
“You promise?” Why did I say that?
“Assuming he doesn’t break his neck on that toy of his that he likes to ride around on, yeah, I promise.”
“Thank you.”
He nods and walks away.
And I sit, waiting…