Chapter Killing Time
Killing Time
ROGUE
The mood was somber for the rest of the night, and by the time we all retired to my room to sleep, I was exhausted.
No one thinks a little jaunt to Hell will be a fun vacay, but nothing else we spit-balled seemed like it would be as effective.
The real question is how we schedule it and keep our absence off the radar of those damn cops and the Gemini capo.
Javi and Archie’s parents won’t be hard to put off with a fib; Graciella and Odhran couldn’t give less of a shit where we are.
But the twins are definitely monitored, and Luca will know when they pass through the gateway, according to Damon.
“Demon crap is so complicated,” Archie says as we drive to the grocery. “Why would they have a system that tattles on their own people for coming and going from their realm? Is there some exciting new stuff down there they think is going to draw undesirables?”
“The better question is, who does Hell find undesirable?” I reply with a grin. “But I get what you mean. It’s pretty controlling for a place populated by demons and their ilk. Maybe that has something to do with the fear of rebellion the royals mentioned?”
“A valid fear, as far as we’ve seen.” Archie whips off the highway exit, heading for the retail area. “Luckily for us, the traffic wasn’t absolute shit this morning, huh?”
I nod, looking around. Bay City seems like a perfect place to live, but that’s like a lot of things in life that are gorgeous on the outside and rotting on the inside.
“True. And I know Reb and the twins hated for us to go alone—even together—but they had commitments. Javier had to get the restaurant open for lunch. And I needed to be out of the house before I went crazy. I hate knowing all the things we need to do and not being able to actually do any of them.”
Archie chuckles as he pulls into the parking lot of the organic mega-mart. “You’ve never been good at waiting, Wheels. A woman of action—that’s part of why you’re so captivating.”
I give him a wry look as I put my hand on the door handle. “Flattery will get you everywhere, but not right now. I want to attack this pantry list Javi made for us with surgical precision. Getting it done will help me settle a bit.”
“Then let’s hit it, babe,” he says as he opens his door. I laugh and do the same, getting out and meeting the handsome hockey player by the trunk. He pulls out the reusable bags Javi and Damon insisted we bring, and we head into the store together.
Sometimes, the simplest things make you feel like everything will be okay.
Archie pushes the cart through the produce section, wrinkling his nose as he watches me pick out the things Javier requested. “How do you know what to do to make sure it’s good? Is this like that ‘make a towel a hat’ thing women just seem to know how to do?”
I blink at him for a moment and then roll my eyes. “For fuck’s sake, Archie. I would have thought someone as progressive as Sariah would teach her son this shit.”
He looks confused for a moment, scratching his chin as he looks at the tomatoes. “About produce?”
Good to know that I’m right; even mothers her age are still neglecting to make dudes functional in the world without a female.
“Yes, Archie. I mean, most girls are taught by some female in their life to do the ‘traditionally female’ stuff like pick out produce, braid hair, do laundry, use makeup… I suppose it’s getting better now that our parents’ generation is getting older and the next one is raising less gender-focused kids.
But… it’s shit we’re usually taught without anyone asking for it.
” I sigh, holding up the fruit for him to see.
“You have to get a firm one, and which type you pick depends on what you’re using it for. ”
“I’m gonna learn all this shit just to break the norms, then. Fuck that shit.”
The lion isn’t joking. No, he follows me to every item I have to get in this section, asking how he knows if this fruit or veggie is ripe, overripe, or bad.
He asks about cutting imperfections, and what kinds of dishes Javi might be using them for.
By the end of that part of the list, I’m actually enjoying his curiosity, and as we move to the bakery, I give him an amused look.
“Want to know how we pick out bread and stuff now, too?”
Archie snorts. “Hell yes, I do. No way that flaming featherhead is having an edge over me just because he works with food. I want to know it all.”
“Okay, but people are going to look at us like we’re insane,” I warn him. “We still have a lot of shopping to do.”
“As if I give a shit what people think.” He scoffs as he picks up a French bread loaf, and I point to the date stamp.
Once he checks it out, I nod for him to add it to the cart.
“Besides, it’s stupid to act like guys don’t have to eat.
I mean, sure we can order out, and we have Javier to help us with that, but why shouldn’t dudes learn this, too? ”
“Archie Glaser, your mama raised you right even if she missed how to pick out food.” I lean in, kissing his lips lightly. “And I like that you want to learn stuff, even if you don’t have to. You’re pretty enlightened for a sportsball lunkhead.”
He wrinkles his nose at me, and I laugh as he grabs my hips to pull me close.
“I’m the most enlightened athlete you’ll ever meet, Wheels, and you should be grateful every day that I had so many dads who adored my mom.
I watched them treat her better than most ladies get in their lifetimes—every day.
I won’t stand for you getting any less.”
Shit. Be still, my black heart.
“You know I love you, right?” I murmur against his lips. I’m not ashamed of that sentence, but I also have no idea who might be watching us. Archie is famous—at least, in sports circles—and the last thing I need is—
“Hey, Jack… look, it’s Glaser!”
Of course there’s some puck-loving guys running around the grocery right now.
That’s exactly my luck, and that they’re now jabbering loudly nearby is further insult to injury.
Archie pulls away, his lips curved up in an apologetic grin.
He turns on his heel, looking over at the blatant fans to wave.
“You caught me, guys. A growing player has to eat, too.”
I move to the cart, hoping to keep their attention off of me if I just very slowly push it away to continue working on the list. Unfortunately, yet again, I don’t get what they want as the first guy calls out to stop me.
“Where are you going, pretty lady? No one knew the Mane Event had a girl!”
Wincing to myself, I gather all my patience up and turn the buggy so I can force a smile at his fanboy. “He doesn’t. I’m just a very good friend.”
It sucks to do that, but the scrutiny it would bring if these idiots spouted it off on some podcast or blog would make everything even worse.
We have enough to worry about without puck bunnies all over town losing their minds.
Archie presses his lips together, and I know he’s fighting the urge to correct me because his lion demands it.
It’s no picnic for me either, but it’s the best choice for now.
“I wish I had hotties in short shorts and tanks built like you to stand that close to who were ‘just friends’,” the second guy says before he guffaws.
This will not go well; the question is whether it’s me or Archie who teaches them a lesson.
“That’s very… generous of you to say,” I reply with an even tighter smile. “Archie is my stepbrother’s best friend. We grew up together.”
The two men elbow one another, laughing and practically confirming evolution as they clown around. Archie rubs the back of his neck, and I can tell he’s embarrassed, but doesn’t want to piss off his supporters. When they finally stop hooting, I give the supposedly adult men an unimpressed look.
“Is there something humorous about that?”
“Well…”
Archie frowns, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “Well, what, gentlemen?”
The first joker shrugs and says, “You were waiting until she wasn’t jailbait, eh, man? I don’t blame you. This chick is hotter than fuck.”
I barely realize he’s moved before Archie has the disgusting fool by the collar of his shirt, holding him aloft as he snarls.
His tail has popped out, and it’s swishing angrily as he shakes the guy.
His friend looks terrified, so I give him a look that dares him to move.
I think he’s going to try running for a split second, but the guy pisses himself.
Oh, I love when I don’t even have to lift a finger.
“That is no way to speak to a woman, you shitheel,” Archie growls as he gives the dude another shake.
“First… gross as fuck. Predators like you should be locked in Blackwater before you get old enough to hurt anyone. Second, no one looked at her like that ever. My best friend and the rest of us would have beaten them within an inch of their lives… even if it was one of us.”
His words make me smile, but it’s only for a moment as I go back to keeping the dangling jackass’s friend from getting security. “He’s telling the truth, you know. They were my protectors, and people like you are why girls need them.”
“Get his wallet out, Rogue. Damon can do a little recon on whether this fucker has done anything that will take him out of the dating pool. I don’t like letting him go with a warning when he suggests something vile.
” Archie jerks his head at the man he’s holding, and I walk over to fish it out as instructed.
“Butch Lockland.” My mate nods, and I put the wallet back, careful to barely touch the asshole as I do so. Once I’m done with him, I stalk over to the scaredy-cat. “Now, you, buddy. Give it to me because I’m not getting anywhere near your… mess.”
“Please… I’m only here with him. I didn’t do anything,” the piss-drenched dude says as he hands me the requested wallet. “Don’t come after me. We won’t tell anyone; I swear.”
“Dude, no one is coming after you themselves,” Archie grunts.
“We’re going to check you out, and if you’re just gross idiots in public, you’ll be fine.
If you’ve done anything to suggest that wasn’t just a disgusting joke?
We’ll give info to the right people and make sure you’re dealt with legally.
I’m a hockey player, not a fucking vigilante. ”
Chuckling as I look at the ID, I shake my head. “Stanley Hammersmith.”
“Excellent.” Archie lowers the guy to the ground and gives him a fangy smile. “Now, gentlemen… I’m going to let you go once you apologize to my good friend, Rogue. But you should worry—our friend Damon will find any dirt you’re trying to hide.”
The dangled one swallows hard, nodding, and his buddy joins in.
They stammer apologies, and I shrug when Archie waits for me to accept.
As much as men like that make my skin crawl, Archie’s caveman bullshit was hot.
I’d like them to be gone as soon as possible so I can tell him just how hot it was, even if I didn’t need his protection.
“Get lost, dickheads.”
I watch them scramble and give my lion a slow grin. “You’re sexy when you’re growly, Archie.”
Even though I would prefer to defend myself.