Page 15 of Retribution

“This cannot be a real thing,” Justice spoke, “I went into my first Target last week, and I assure you, I did not want to touch, feel or smell anything. I just wanted to grab what I needed and exit.”

“I promise you; this is a real thing among human females,” I stated.

Liberty smirked knowingly, ignoring my confirmation. “What did you need, Justice? Because I don’t think I would have been smelling that either.”

Lenin came to Justice’s aid. “What we needed isn’t that important.”

Liberty burst into laughter. “Why didn’t you shop online?”

Justice’s face grew red. “Because I had never been to a Target, and I wanted to see what the fuss was, look around a little.”

“Exactly. I want to look around.” She crossed her arms, pushing her breasts up and using her stomach like a little shelf for her arms to sit. It was fucking adorable.

“But you have been. You could shop online.”

“You could have ordered lube online too, but you didn’t.”

“Fates,” I cursed, “This has escalated.”

“No on Target. Yes to food and drive-through ice tea.” Oak bartered, though I could tell even those extra stops worried him.

“You all are like a stick in the mud; you know that.” She pouted.

“Bet Justice knows what that’s like,” Rolland whispered under his breath, and damn it, I was done. I could not deal with the people in this room any longer. This girl was in danger, pregnant, and the most precious thing I’d ever had, and all she could think about was risking her life at Target.

I stood and stretched before walking toward her, her eyes watching my every move as I leaned down. “I’ll be working in the garage if you need me. Please, I beg you, try to behave. Look at them; you and the little lady have them stressed.”

“It’s just Target.” She tried to do the pouting with me and fought the effects.

“I will sit with you and let you bore me to death doing a personal shopping spree,” I offered.

“It’s not the same.”

“True.” I leaned in until my lips were brushing against her ear. “But I can promise, what I have planned to do while you shop would have got us both in trouble anyway.”

Her face reddened, and she used her hand to fan away some of the heat. “Oh.”

“Yeah. Oh.” I kissed her cheek and strolled out, leaving Liberty and a chorus of groans behind me.

Chapter 8

STERLING

This was not a good idea.It was terrible, in fact. The most horrible idea I’d ever partaken in. I literally could feel nothing but anxiety and terror, a feeling I hadn’t felt since I was a child standing in front of my father and waiting for the leather strip to strike my skin and leave bloody welts in its wake.

“She’s fine,” Oak said out loud, and I wasn’t sure who he was reassuring, himself or me.

“She’s fine,” Justice repeated.

“I’m right here,” Liberty cut in, “And I am fine. What’s the worst-”

“I beg you, do not finish that sentence,” Oak groaned, “Please. Don’t.”

“It’s a glorious day. Sun is shining, Target’s on the horizon and –”

“No,” Oak boomed, “Doctor’s, drive-through food and tea. Better yet, I want one of you in the backseat to download all the apps, order the food in advance so we can just run in and grab.”

“I can barely hit the call button; I’m out.” Justice leaned back, his yellow eyes piercing me from where he sat on the other side of Liberty.

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