Chapter 3 #2
The Grim Reaper didn’t like that. His eyes went red, and his expression showed his displeasure. “Depends.”
“Just say yes,” I shot back.
He shook his head. “You want me to agree to something before I know what it is?”
“Yep.”
Gideon ran his hands through his hair in frustration. He really wanted to say no. I wasn’t going to let him.
“Let me put it this way,” I said. “I love you. I love Alana Catherine. In fact, I love everyone in this room.”
“Even me?” Shitty Ritchie asked cautiously.
“Umm… yes, even you,” I replied.
“DAISY LOVES ME!” he cheered before doing so many spastic jazz squares he got his tiny feet tangled and flopped to the floor like an itty-bitty sack of potatoes.
Candy Vargo picked him up by his hair and tossed him onto the couch.
His grin was so wide, it made me smile. If his teeth weren’t so dang sharp, it would have been cute.
It wasn’t even remotely cute, but it was sweet.
“Back to my point,” I continued. “If you’re willing to put some skin in the game, I’m willing as well.”
Gideon tried to interrupt.
I put up a hand to stop him. “We’re a team. I would do anything—and I mean anything—to protect my daughter and the same goes for you. If you’ll owe favors to these Demons, then I’ll share that burden.”
“Ohhhhhhh, shit,” Candy Vargo choked out. “Well, butter my butt and call me Nancy. This ain’t gonna end well.”
“I’ll bite, Nancy Vargo,” Shitty Ritchie yelled, hopping off the couch. “I’ll just get some butter from the kitchen and slather it on your bahookey! Be right back.”
He took off like a little tornado. Candy stood there looking confused. “What the fuck did he just call me?”
“Bless his little pea-pickin’ heart,” Gram said with a chuckle. “Shitty Ritchie called you Nancy Vargo! He’s a literal guy. You told him to call you Nancy and that you wanted your butt buttered. My guess is he’s comin’ back with a whole stick from the fridge and a knife.”
“I’m gonna punt that turd into tomorrow,” Candy muttered.
Heather rolled her eyes. “Dude, at least he’s not trying to give you his sperm to put into your cavity. Being called Nancy Vargo and getting some butter on your ass is far preferable.”
Candy laughed. “True that, jackass. But if the miniature shit stain even touches my butt, he loses his hands.”
“Fair enough,” I said then directed my gaze to the man I loved. “I will owe the favors as well. Period.”
“No, Daisy,” he said in a tight voice. He paced the floor for a good minute then headed to the front door.
“Pardon me.” He walked out of the house and set off an explosion that rocked the foundation.
He then walked back in as if nothing had just happened.
No one commented. It was clear that the Grim Reaper was holding onto his composure by a thread.
And it was clear I wasn’t helping the matter.
Gideon took another deep breath and blew it out audibly.
“That is not happening. You are not sharing in the favors I shall owe. As long as I’m alive, it’s not happening.
I’m turning it around on you.” He walked over and took my hands in his.
A tingle shot through my body. Just his touch could undo me.
“I love you. You’re my reason, along with Alana Catherine, for living.
In no world that I inhabit will you owe any of the Demon’s favors.
Ask me for anything else. Anything and I will give it to you, but not this. Please.”
I stared at the man who made me happy and feel whole.
He made me a better person, and together we’d made the greatest gift either of us could have imagined—our daughter.
Gideon trusted me to do my jobs as the Death Counselor and the Angel of Mercy.
There were many times that he’d despised what I had to do.
Watching me put myself into deadly situations wasn’t his favorite pastime.
However, he had never once tried to stop me.
Not one time. He respected me and my job.
Who the hell was I not to respect him to do his?
“Okay,” I whispered. “I’m sorry.”
He shook his head and smiled. It was a real smile, and it took my breath away. “Thank you.”
“No,” I said, laying my head on his broad chest. “Thank you.”
The silence in the room didn’t last long. “You guys gonna go upstairs and bang it out?” Candy inquired, as she slapped the butter knife out of Shitty Ritchie’s hand and shoved the stick of butter into his mouth.
“No,” Gideon said with a raised brow. “I’m going to step outside and make some calls. I’d suggest all of you speak of lighter subjects. There’s a possibility that Jennifer can hear us.”
“Oh my god,” Tim gasped out, fluttering his hands in front of his face frantically. “Gideon is correct. We need to be upbeat and positive.”
June walked over to Tim and wrapped her arms around him. “I have an idea,” she said, glancing to Jennifer, her longtime friend. “Let’s play a game. The fact game. Jennifer loves that!”
“Yes!” Tim cried out, hugging June back. “Outstanding suggestion. Everyone must play!”
And play we did.