Page 173 of Black Bird

“Watch it, Blood Daddy …” Sarah pointed her cigarette at him, smirking and taking a long drag.

“Blood …” Rhaena whispered under her breath. “What if this was—”

“Don’t,” Athan started, his face dropping into a predatory scowl. “I know what you’re thinking. Don’t.”

Sarah shot up from the hood. “Dahlia?” Athan cursed quietly and turned away. “You think she would have taken her? Why?”

The look he shot her gave Rhaena pause, but she ignored him and looked at Sarah. “She sent the guy that Wren shot, didn’t she? They were clearly after her once before. What if she’s trying to smoke you out?”

Athan threw a hand out, frustrated. “You go after that coven, and you might as well be offering yourself up on a silver platter, Sarah. You made me hand that platter over to the precinct once already. Don’t ask me to do that again. Not with her. You’re not going anywhere near that bar.”

“Athan, what if she’s in there?!”

“Sarah—”

“If it were me instead, you wouldn’t hesitate.”

Rhaena watched them stare into each other like they were torn between ripping each other wide open, or …ripping each other wide open. Athan breathed a long sigh. “You don’t have any idea what they’re like. Whatshe’slike. They’re loyal to her. It’s fucking suicide.”

“So, you’d rather me offer Wren up instead? Don’t askmeto do that!”

“What if we make them …unloyal?” Rhaena cut in, both Athan and Sarah turning towards her. “What would turn them against her? Couldn’t we turn them to our side?”

Sarah stilled, staring off across the street. “Turnthem …” she whispered.

“What have you got? What are you thinking?” Rhaena asked, dismissing Athan’s glare.

Sarah stepped toward him, smirking as she drew her cigarette back to her lips. “I think it’s time to go pay our friend Nick a little visit …Baby.”

“Christ,” Athan growled, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“What are you gonna do?” Rhaena asked, stepping closer.

Sarah turned toward her and glanced at Denver through the windshield. The cat was making himself at home on the dashboard, and Rhaena silently prayed he wouldn’t relieve himself in her car. “Take him somewhere safe. Keep an eye on Brent, and make sure he isn’t following us around, or trying anything stupid that’s gonna get us figured out. If the bitch wants me, then maybe it’s time for me to show myself. I’ve got my own cards to play.”

“Sarah, don't get yourself killed.” Rhaena looked at Athan, and a tinge of pain swept through her chest when she met eyes with her partner. “Both of you better be careful. And don’t leave me out. Keep your phones on andcall me.”

“We’ll be fine. Just be ready for anything.” Sarah reached around her and pulled her into a tight hug. Rhaena sighed over her shoulder, hugging her back.

“I’m sorry … I’m sorry for all the hell you’ve been through.”

She didn’t let go, instead squeezing her a bit tighter. “Don’t be.They’regonna be sorry for putting me through it. Going through hell is when I know myself best. They already tried taking the best of me … now they’ll get the worst.”

He rarely made it home in time for dinner, but as Nick Specter walked through his front door, the smell of something Italian had him salivating. The pounding of little feet sounded down the hallway to his left, as he tossed his keys into a ceramic bowl and shrugged off his winter coat.

“Daddy!” His son beamed, crashing into his thigh and wrapping his little limbs around it. He bent over to pick him up and hauled him to his chest.

“What in the world have you been getting into?” Nick asked, taking in all the different colors smudged on his tiny shirt, and all over his hands.

“Momma said I was a goodortis!” He seemed so incredibly proud of himself, turning his chubby fingers over and showing off the other side. “Come see! I drew you so many pictures today!”

“An artist, you mean? Does Mama know you didn’t keep it on the paper?” The little boy’s mouth pressed into a tight line and his eyes boggled. “Better go clean up before she finds out.” He lowered him back down to the floor and watched him race back down the hall to the bathroom. Nick couldn’t keep the adoring smile off his face. He walked through the living room and into the kitchen to find his wife stirring a pot with her back turned toward him.

“If you were trying to sneak in, I think Reese already gave you away,” she said without turning around. He could hear the smile in her voice. “Come taste this.”

He pressed himself against her back, sliding an arm around her waist as she carefully held up a wooden spoon and blew on it gently before inching it toward his mouth. He sipped the red sauce, smacking his lips and nodding his approval as he ducked into her neck and pressed a soft kiss to it. “Better than last time.” He snickered into her skin.

“Oh, screw you.” Evie snorted, trying to pull out of his hold. Her chestnut hair rolled over her shoulder. “Last time I was distracted.”

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