Page 137 of Rugger: The Huntress

“I’m a trained assassin,” I reminded them both, “You might want to put that away unless you really know what you’re doing.”

“I do,” Priest confirmed.

“Your intentions.”

“To keep her on her toes. Keep her sharp. Keep her vigilant. Keep her focused. Valid. Prepared. And, love her in the process. Give her my last name and maybe one day, a kid or two.”

“That’s asking a lot of a woman who wanted none of that. Not even you.”

“That’s not asking much of a woman in love. You have a wife. You understand how this goes. Everything changes when hearts are involved.”

Chemistry and Priest nodded simultaneously.

“Marriage, huh?”

“If I have your blessing. It won’t be tomorrow or even next month. But, eventually. When I feel she’s ready and I’m ready.”

“Your superiors are aware of this– arrangement you have with my sister?”

I leaned my head to the side before shaking it, “Nah.”

“You figure that shit out before you even try to play with her heart or put a ring on her finger.”

“I will,” I assured him while taking another puff of the cigar.

“Suit up in a few months. You’ll have your first family event to attend. Rather and I are wedding.”

“Aren’t you married already?”

“Technically, yeah. But, the wedding of her dreams has yet to happen so it’s about that time.”

“Understood. I’ll be there, right beside Rugger.”

“I’m counting on it.”

I gazed into the darkness. The water was calming. The peace it brought was completely unrealistic. There was so much chaos in the world but I forgot about it all, briefly.

Paradise.

“I don’t blame you–” I sighed, looking over at Chemistry.

“For?”

“Gathering your people and coming here. They wouldn’t be able to convince me to leave this level of tranquility if they tried.”

“You don’t have sisters,” he chuckled.

“I don’t have siblings.”

“They’re the only reason I leave the island. I dread the day they all leave the nest. It’s coming, thanks to you.”

“To me?”

“You set them free. Unknowingly clipped their wings. And, while I’m thankful for the clearing of their names, I wasn’t ready. Shit, I’ll probably never be ready to face the fact that they’re over there and I’m all the way over here.”

“Then join them,” I suggested.

“I will. One day. Not any time soon, though. The timing isn’t right.”

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