Page 161 of Ashes

“I’m going to put more wood into the fire. Maybe a tire or Danny Linley. He’s dressed in a dick costume. That counts as wood, right?” Ashes narrowed his eyes in Danny’s direction as he bobbed around in a giant inflatable cock.

I let out a genuine laugh that lit up Ashes’s eyes.

It felt good.

I didn’t like it and knew I didn’t deserve it after what I’d done to my angel.

Swallowing quickly, I went quiet, watching as Ashes went to the fire and began throwing more wood into it.

Church lit a joint and smoked for a minute before he offered it to Cady. She took it from him and inhaled a hit before holding it out to me. Hesitantly, I took it before taking a deep drag. I wanted to be lucid tonight in case shit got bad.

“They’re here,” Church said.

I followed his gaze and saw Asylum walk into the backyard dressed as a pirate with my angel on his arm and a tiara on her head.

She’s a princess.

Her pink gown poofed out around her, the sparkles in it catching in the light from Ashes’s flames and her black hair tumbled to her waist in wild waves.

I watched as Ashes stopped throwing wood into the fire and stared at her, his lips parted.

She was breathtaking.

“She looks beautiful,” Cady murmured.

“Sheisbeautiful,” Church corrected her softly.

Cady tore her stare from Sirena and looked to Church and genuinely smiled.

Beat her clawing his face off, which I wouldn’t put past her.

“Do you want me to go talk to Asylum?” I asked.

“No.” Church shook his head. “Give them some time to settle in.”

I nodded.

Good. It gave me time to settle in.

I needed it.

* * *

I watched her all night.

She stayed next to Asylum and never once stepped away. While she was near him, I could see she wasn’t really there. Her eyes kept darting around as she took in her surroundings like she was looking for someone.

Church and Ashes were both watching her too.

And Sin. . . I caught him sneaking peeks at her from his spot against the patio railing.

“Hey,” Melanie said, sidling up next to me in a sexy nurse costume. “I’ve been missing you.”

I remained quiet as she reached for my hand.

I jerked away from her touch and took a step back.

“We can go upstairs. I wanted to give you a welcome back present,” she said, closing the distance between us.

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