Chapter 39 #3
“Quill,” she shudders, as I squeeze her to me, so overwhelmed by my emotions that I can’t even speak. “Quill, Quill, Quill…”
She could give me a run for my money in the repeating-things-endlessly department. I guess we really do complete each other. I sink back in my seat, my thoughts on nothing but her, on the feel of her in my arms.
Both of us fall into a deep, happy silence as we hold each other.
Josh seems to sense we need to be left alone for a while, because he’s quelled his first instinct to hug her, and hangs back, watching quietly.
And even Logan, for all his sarcastic smugness, keeps his eyes firmly glued to the road, seeming to accept that he comes second.
At last, Josh pierces through the silence by asking, “What now?”
“What now?” echoes Logan thoughtfully. “Well, the first thing is to bring those idiot lovebirds back to Oregon, which they should never have left.”
I hear the words, but I’m not listening, too focused on the girl in my arms. I don’t care where we go, anyway. Just as long as I’m with Piper. Just as long as she’s happy. And I know she loved Oregon. Which means I love it too.
“But with the threat of the mafia gone—” protests Josh.
“Not gone,” corrects Logan. “Never gone. It’s only a matter of time before those loyal to Coltello and Moretti build up enough strength to fuck with us again.
And if it’s not them, it’ll be someone else.
Where there’s power, there’s threat.” He pauses.
“Still, I guess that for the moment, it’s relatively safe back in Astley.
Damien has quit Devil, though I don’t think it’s permanent.
Still, I doubt he’d follow through on his vague intention to kill her.
Besides, he has other things on his mind right now.
He’s searching for Seraphina, and I’m helping him.
Which gives me a good coverup to fix things with the lot of you.
And I doubt either you, Quill, or you, Piper, particularly want to return to Astley.
So I’ll be dropping you back off in Oregon, and this time, hopefully, you can just sit tight and behave yourselves.
I never realized having a stepdaughter would take up so much of my time. ”
“How about me?” questions Josh uncertainly.
“You? Well, I guess I can bring you back to your house in Carlton. You were never on anyone’s radar except for the people who are dead now.”
“Oh.” Josh sounds surprisingly disappointed. “I guess I would like to see my family again. I’m going to miss Piper, though. And, uhm, you too, Quill.”
“Or you can stay in Oregon with them,” shrugs Logan. “I don’t actually care.”
“Oh,” says Josh again, clearing his throat. “Yeah, well… I guess I shouldn’t. I guess I should give you guys some space, right?”
Piper doesn’t answer, and I doubt she’s even heard a word of the conversation. She’s snuggled up against me, and I’m not sure if she’s asleep or just nearly. I’m fully focused on her, yet I manage to tear my thoughts away for a moment as Josh clears his throat again insistently.
“Yes, I guess I’ll go back to Carlton. I don’t want to intrude. I know I’m kind of a third wheel, and a pretty annoying one at that, so—”
“It’s fine, Josh,” I cut in begrudgingly. “Room enough for us all. You can stay.”
“Really?” Josh’s face brightens. But it clouds over just as abruptly as he adds, “I guess you’re just being polite. I shouldn’t—”
I click my tongue impatiently. “I don’t do polite. If I say you can stay, I mean it. You’re Piper’s friend, and I know she wants you to stay. Besides…” I pause, hesitating.
“Besides?” echoes Josh.
“Besides, you’re my friend too,” I finish in a grunt.
“Quill!” Before I can stop him, his arms shoot out and he hugs me awkwardly from behind. “Thanks, man. That means a lot. And I, uhm, feel the same way about you.”
“Yeah, well, fuck you too,” I growl, trying to repress the smile that’s tugging at my lips.
I guess Piper isn’t asleep after all, because her arms squeeze me too, and she whispers, “Thank you, Quill.”
“I prefer your hugs to Josh’s,” I comment, and Josh quickly withdraws his arms, blushing.
“I should really see my family, though,” he hesitates. “It’s been a while, and I miss them.”
I roll my eyes. “Well, fucking make up your mind.”
“Don’t mean to cut in on all the lovey doviness,” says Logan, his voice drenched in sarcasm, “but I suggest Josh return with me. Then I’ll send him right back whenever he wants.
It’ll be different this time. You won’t be in hiding.
You can live a fairly normal life. I’ll set things up so you’re safe, and I’ll be checking in on you regularly, to make sure you’re taking good care of my stepdaughter, Quill. You hear?”
“Yes, sir,” I grin.
Piper lets out a long, happy sigh, snuggling into me. “Oh, Quill. Everything is turning out so well. I have a family, and a best friend, and I have you. I’m so happy.”
I bury my face in her hair, every part of me singing out with the joy of having my own Piper in my arms for keeps.
“Me too, my little cricket,” I breathe into her curls. “Me too.”