Page 21 of Running Alone

Just that sentence has whoever is with her screaming and going nuts. Lachi’s eyes get wide as I pull the phone from my ear. I give him big eyes, which has him grinning like a loon. That is until there is pounding on my front door and Shadow is screaming to be let in before she knocks the door down. I look at Lachi and give it to him straight.

“Hey, you sure this is what you want? This is my life and they are my bat-ass, crazy as shit family, which I won’t get rid of.”

He moves closer and pulls me into him as his lips place a very tender kiss on mine. Even though I’m scared, I’m hoping for more as the pounding starts up again. Never have I said or even thought it, but right now I wish I had the skills to take Shadow down. And that thought has me giggling. Yeah, me giggling.

SEVENTEEN

‘LACHI’

MALACHI

Never in my life have I seen such controlled chaos. Poor Ruby’s head is shifting from one sister to another then another. They are bombarding her with question after question, forgetting I’m even in the room. After about four or five minutes, I’ve had more than my share. I raise my fingers to my lips and send out my ear-piercing whistle. They instantly stop and all heads turn my way.

“Can I ask what in the ever-lovin’ fuck are you all doing? My God, poor Ruby can’t get a word in at all, and you keep bombarding her with question after question. I mean, shit, she’s a grown woman and can do whatever the hell she wants, just like each of you do. I mean, Shadow, does anyone do twenty questions on you when you head off to Panther’s ranch? Or I believe you’re Glory, right? Do your ‘sisters’ give you shit when you head home to that one dude from the Intruders? Yeah, that young one, forgot his name.”

I laugh when Glory’s eyes squint and she actually snarls at me, while Ruby makes her way to my side, shaking her head violently. It doesn’t stop me.

“I mean, from what I was told, the Devil’s Handmaidens are about giving women and children—even some men—who have been held back or down in life a chance to rise up. If that’s thecase, why is it so strange that one of your club sisters has a man stay overnight with her? Does that mean all the single Devil’s Handmaidens sleep alone every single night?”

I hear a chuckle and look around the women to see, I believe it’s Noodles. His eyes are stuck on me as one of his fingers is tapping his lips. Next to him is Tink and she’s grinning like crazy, while Hannah and Presley are trying to squeeze in the already crowded room. It doesn’t stop my friend from pushing his way through to stand at my side with his arm around Hannah, hanging on to her tight.

Then to my utter shock, I hear someone start to talk. If someone would have hit me with a brick this is not the one I thought who would have sided with me.

“Fuck almighty, the kid is right. Damn it, Kitty, I’m sorry. It’s just I always think of you as one of my little sisters, and hearing a man’s voice in your cabin this morning freaked me out.”

I hear Ruby sniffle but then she shocks the hell out of me too.

“Don’t worry, Shadow, it kind of freaked me out too. But you guys need to realize, just because we’re prospects, each of us is an adult too. I do appreciate all of your love and support, but I need to get better at standing on my own two feet. It’s time, don’t you think? And what better way than to jump headfirst with a man in my cabin. Sure freaked the fuck out of all of you.”

Hannah pushes off of Presley and rushes to Ruby, pulling her in for a tight hug. At first Ruby doesn’t do anything, then she reaches her arms around Hannah and they hold on tightly to each other. I look to Presley, who’s watching his girl closely. When he feels my eyes, he looks my way and I can see the worry in his eyes. Yeah, this group of women can do that to a person because I’m feeling a bit on the outside looking in.

“All right, everyone, out. Give the kids some time. Squirt, Kitty, we have chapel at noon at the clubhouse in town. Make sure you both are there. Yeah, I know generally we don’t haveour prospects join in regular chapel meetings, but this situation calls for it. Malachi, Presley, if you don’t mind showing up, I’d appreciate it. And just so you know, Jude will also be there. By the way, Vito is doing good. He and Freddy are enjoying breakfast as we speak. See you guys later.”

With that, Tink and Noodles turn, hand in hand, and walk down the front stairs. Everyone else starts to follow until it’s just Shadow and Glory. Knowing I kind of fucked up, I move to the VP, head hanging down.

“Didn’t mean any disrespect, Glory, swear to Christ. It sounded worse than what I intended. No hard feelings, I hope.”

I watch as she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.

“I know, Malachi, you wouldn’t know about my insecurities about Sebastian and our age difference since you’ve not been around. I appreciate the apology and, yes, I accept. Oh, you can call him Yoggie, by the way. Now I’m going to head out, see you both later.”

Glory leaves so it’s just Ruby and Shadow. The tattooed woman is staring between us with a tiny smile on her face. I look to Ruby, who’s glaring at her enforcer.

“Shadow, why are you still here? Lachi and I have things to do and need to get ready. Cat got your tongue?”

The enforcer leans her head back and laughs. It startles Ruby so bad she steps back for a second. When I look down to her, she gives me huge eyes that are so confused. I shift my eyes to Shadow, who once again is watching us. This one is full of surprises.

“Kitty, I bet like hell you both have things to do. From the look on your face, you don’t know exactly what they are. If and when you get to that point, if you need anything, I’m here, little sister. I’ve been there when you love a man so much but still are afraid to take that next step. I’m gonna let you in on a secret… it’s totally worth it. And not for what you both are thinking. It bringsa closeness to one person you will never have with anyone else. That is precious in life. We both know that with what we see in our missions. All right, I’m done, and just sayin’ if either of you say a word of this conversation, I’ll cut out both of your tongues. Have a great day, see ya later.”

Shadow turns and walks out, closing the door behind her. Ruby has walked to the sectional and plopped down, shock all over her face. When I take a seat next to her, she turns to me.

“Did that just happen? I mean, Shadow, our enforcer, who can do horrific things to our enemies and not bat an eye, just offered relationship advice to us. If I wasn’t standing right here, I’d call you a total liar, swear to Christ, Lachi. Maybe this is an alternate universe and we are just dreaming.”

I pull her close to me, chuckling. Seems like all of the Devil’s Handmaidens are having new experiences and truly starting to move forward and enjoy their lives. I’m glad Ruby has women she can turn to because she’ll need it for our long-distance relationship to get off the ground.

After our confrontation this morning, wasn’t sure how the rest of the day was going to go. Both Ruby and I got ready, then she took some time to show me around the ranch. And damn, Tink has done a phenomenal job with this extremely huge piece of property, with just the main house, bunkhouse, cabins, new conference building, pens, barns, and the survivors’ buildings. Down from those buildings some guys were working on an addition to a small cabin. Ruby explained Dr. Cora took over that cabin because she has to take care of her mom, who is suffering with Alzheimer’s. Ruby said the club didn’t want to lose Dr. Cora, so Tink made her an offer of going part time and adding onto the cabin, which Tink gifted to Cora. Guess Noodles and his friends are doing the addition, which is almost completed.

Everything Ruby is sharing with me is opening my eyes to what this group of women are truly trying to accomplish. I’ve taken my phone out to make notes, but I have an idea I want to run by the Devil’s Handmaidens eventually.

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