Page 138 of Rugger: The Huntress

“Understood.”

“I’m going to save my wife from their theatrics and pray tonight is the night we create a son. I’ll leave you fellas to it with the ladies. Good luck and I advise you both to cut out soon. They have very little self-control when they gather and liquor is involved. Especially that fucking Roulette and Royce.”

I chuckled, “Yeah, I learned that rather quickly.”

“Keep her safe, Psalms. Heart. Mind. And body.”

He started toward the dining hall. He tossed the cigar he’d been smoking into the sand. The smoke quickly settled until the fire was suffocated completely.

“You have my word.”

Both Priest and Chemistry filed into the house. I maintained my spot on the deck, watching the waves crash into the rocks on the left side of the shore. They lulled me to a place where contentment ruled and complacency wasn’t frowned upon.

Hands slid around me. The scent of Riot found me. And, Rugger’s head rested against me.

“Hi,” she yawned.

“Hi,” I responded, pulling her around.

I wrapped her in my arms and kissed the side of her face. Together we stared out into the bleakness.

“So, this is home?”

“Clarke was home. But, wherever they are is truly home.”

“It’s a beautiful place.”

“It’s a lonely place. Aside from family, there is nothing but beauty here. It’s so perfect it feels like you’re living a lie. It’s the dream, someone’s dream.”

“Not yours?”

“I am Huffington from the tip of my head to the sole of my feet. This is a temporary stop for me. Clarke is forever.”

“I couldn’t agree more. There’s something about Huffington that grabs a hold of you and doesn’t let go.”

She laid her head against my shoulder and settled in my arms.

“Tired?”

“I am,” she admitted.

“I’d say let me get you to bed but I don’t know where the hell that is, so I’ll let you lead the way.”

“Right over there, three lots down. You see?”

“Yes.”

“That’s home.”

“Up for a walk along the shore?”

“Yes. I am.”

“Good, then let me go say my goo–”

“I’ve already said them for us. It’s time to go home.”

I tossed the cigar into the sand and took Gazelle’s hand. We started toward the home she’d pointed to across the way. Before we made it off the deck, I stopped mid stride.

---